Orange-Thyme Summer Poultry Brine
For moist, succulent poultry, chefs and home cooks alike rely on the old-fashioned technique of brining. Hawaiian Volcano Sea Salts are a perfect complement to make it taste like it was smoked all day on the grill — even if you prepare it in the oven.
*This brine is a wonderful way to prepare moist flavorful pork too.
Prep Time
- 5 minutes for mixing ingredients for brine
- Approximately 5-10 hours to. Prep 1 day before or the morning of a dinner service to prepare the poultry
- Dry Brine — marinate 1 to 2 hours per pound of meat
- Rinse brine off meat at the end of marinate time to avoid over salting the meat
Ingredients
1 TABLESPOON Kiawe & Guava Smoked Salt by HVSS
1 TABLESPOON 100% Natural Sea Salt by HVSS
1 Orange – Zest (1 Tablespoon)
1 TEASPOON Dried Thyme
½ TEASPOON Garlic Powder
Grind all ingredients together in a mortar pestle to crush into a medium to fine rub
Preparation Tips
To properly brine you need to start the day before or morning of that you plan to cook. You will need at least 5 up to 20 hours (see above for time per pound), a Ziploc bag large enough to hold your chicken and enough room in the fridge to store it. Whatever container you choose, the turkey must have enough room to be covered, so it should be big. Avoid using aluminum foil with a brine.
Apply Dry Rub, Refrigerate, & Roast
- Apply an even coating pressing or massaging the dry rub into the meat to ensure it penetrates and will not fall off. Make sure to apply a coating of dry rub over the entire chicken including the inside and under the skin as much as possible.
- Place poultry into Ziploc or in baking dish & cover with plastic wrap. Remove as much air as possible. Refrigerate
- Allow to marinate for 1 to 2 hours per pound of meat. At end of time wash brine off meat to avoid getting too salty.
- Preheat to 500°, roast chicken for 30 min. until skin is light golden brown @ taut. Reduce temp to 350°. Remove chicken from oven @ brush w/ butter. Let rest for 15-20 min.
- Return chicken to oven; roast, basting w/ butter every 10 min., until thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165°, 40-45 minutes. Let rest for 15 – 20 minutes.
- Carve and serve w/ pan juices.