Do you have to brine turkey before smoking?

Table of Contents:

1. Do you have to brine turkey before smoking?
2. How long does a turkey need to brine?
3. Do you have to refrigerate while brining a turkey?
4. Can you brine a turkey for over 24 hours?
5. Can bacteria grow in Turkey brine?
6. Does salt brine kill parasites?

Do you have to brine turkey before smoking?

But guess what? With a smoked turkey, you don't have to brine the turkey first, which is awesome. That is because, with a smoked turkey, the long slow and low heat actually doesn't dry the bird out too quickly. The low heat draws the moisture into the bird, not evaporate it out.

How long does a turkey need to brine?

Pop the turkey into the fridge and let it brine for at least 8 hours (and up to 18 hours). Just don't leave the turkey in the brine for longer than recommended—over-brining can render the bird too salty and turn the texture spongy.

Do you have to refrigerate while brining a turkey?

The meat and brine solution must be kept below 40 degrees F. at all times. Since brining does not preserve meat, the turkey and brine must be kept refrigerated at all times.

Can you brine a turkey for over 24 hours?

Q: Can I brine my turkey for longer than 24 hours? A: No. Brining works much faster than a marinade so brining a turkey for longer than recommended will oversaturate the bird. An over-brined turkey will taste salty.

Can bacteria grow in Turkey brine?

But a brined turkey that is not rinsed would be too salty to eat. Brining slows down the growth of bacteria but does not kill it, said Linda Harris, a microbiologist at the University of California, Davis.

Does salt brine kill parasites?

Heating hot-smoked fish to an internal temperature of at least 140°F will kill all fish nematodes and tapeworms. ... Dry-salting fish, or curing them in a saturated salt brine, for 5-7 days before pickling will kill nematodes and tapeworms. Pickling without salt curing may not destroy some nematodes.