Keto Pickle Juice Brine Turkey Recipe (2024)

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Keto Pickle Juice Brine Turkey Recipe (1)

I’m starting to think about Thanksgiving day and Iused to use this Best Turkey Brine Recipe every year because it’s really is the best! The technique works to make a perfectly tender and juicy turkey every single time I make it. I’ve used it for years! Here’s the problem though… It’s made with sugar… That’s not so good on the Ketogenic Diet. You don’t understand. This turkey is filled with tons of flavor.

If you are new to the Ketogenic Diet and want to start, read this article: Simple Way to Start the Ketogenic Diet

You just don’t understand how disappointed I am not to be able to use this recipe. This turkey recipe is filled with tons of flavor. I think I really like it the most because you can’t mess it up. I have a fear of ruining Thanksgiving dinner when all the guests are over.

I’ve been thinking and thinking about how I can make a sugar free Keto Friendly Turkey Brine Recipe that will still have all the flavor I’m used to. This dinner is so important to me that I did a test run with a recipe I concocted beforehand!

I already know the science behind vinegar used to break down protein totenderize it but I wasn’t sure if you absolutely had to have sugar for it to tenderize and not taste sour. I decided to try a pickle juice brine with lots of yummy seasonings.

Guess what? I turned out amazing!! You don’t need sugar at all!! You know what a relief that is?!

Be sure to save the turkey broth from the cooked turkey. This makes the BEST Keto Turkey Gravy Recipe! OH! Wait – Don’t forget to make the Keto Stuffing Recipe too! This stuffing is perfect in taste and texture! It’s the closest thing I’ve tasted to real stuffing! You will love it!

Grab the printable version of this recipe at the very bottom of this post.

Oh, and if you are looking for a super cute Keto Friendly Appetizer, this Keto Appetizer looks like a turkey and is made with meats and cheeses. It’s adorable!

Keto Pickle Juice Brine Turkey Recipe (2)

Keto Pickle Juice Brine Turkey Recipe Ingredients

  • 1 large container of pickles (the large container you find in the bulk section)
  • bag of ice
  • Reynolds Oven Bags (turkey size)
  • 1 tablespoon black peppercorn or black pepper
  • 2 sprigs of fresh thyme
  • 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 4 – 6 cloves of garlic (or 3 tablespoons) minced
  • 3 cups of water
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • Optional: 1 tablespoon McCormicks Grill Mates Montreal Steak seasoning (LOVE THIS STUFF) or any of your other favorite seasonings that work well with Turkey

Keto Pickle Juice Brine Turkey Recipe (3)

Keto Pickle Juice Brine Turkey Recipe Instructions

  1. Peel the rosemary off of the steam and dice a few of them to get the oils from the leaves.
  2. Place the defrosted turkey into a large poultry bag or cooler (like I did).
  3. Pour all the ingredients (pickles juice, water, and seasonings) on top of the turkey that sites in the cooler. Make sure the liquid is covering most of the turkey. Add more water if you don’t have enough pickle juice to cover it.
  4. Add a bag of ice over the turkey to allow it to stay cool for the next 12+ hours. Or put your poultry bag in the refrigerator if you have room. Ideally, you want to marinate this turkey more than 12 hours but no more than 24 hours ahead of time.
  5. For each pound of meat, you should refrigerate it for one hour. For example, if you have a 12 lb turkey, you need to refrigerate this for 12 hours. Add ice to the cooler as needed. I usually only need one bag of ice to keep it cool before I cook this turkey.
  6. Remove the turkey from the brine marinade. Discard the brine marinade.
  7. Place the turkey into the Reynolds turkey steam bag and place about 2 more cups of water in the bag so it can create a steam when it’s cooking. I like to cook the turkey with the breast down in the juices too. It always comes out perfect! No need for basting the turkey or monitoring it every hour either.

Here’s the best part. The turkey flavor was amazing! The pickle juice brine recipe did its job without sugar! I’m so impressed!! It didn’t have a pickle flavor either. It took on the flavor of all the seasonings I added!! So good! You have got to try this!

Here are a few photos we took of this process:

This photo shows the defrosted turkey sitting in pickle juice and water before we added all the seasonings.

Keto Pickle Juice Brine Turkey Recipe (4)

After we added all the seasonings, we topped it off with ice to keep it cool.Keto Pickle Juice Brine Turkey Recipe (5)

This was after the marinade time was up and we placed it in an oven save turkey bag.Keto Pickle Juice Brine Turkey Recipe (6)

You leave a bit of room at the top for the steam.Keto Pickle Juice Brine Turkey Recipe (7)

This is what the pickle juice marinade looks when you are done with it!Keto Pickle Juice Brine Turkey Recipe (8)

It’s going in the oven…Keto Pickle Juice Brine Turkey Recipe (9)

The turkey is done! Save the juices though, because that’s what makes the best Keto Gravy!!Keto Pickle Juice Brine Turkey Recipe (10) Keto Pickle Juice Brine Turkey Recipe (11) Keto Pickle Juice Brine Turkey Recipe (12)

Don’t forget to pin it on Pinterest for later!
Keto Pickle Juice Brine Turkey Recipe (13)

Keto Pickle Juice Brine Turkey Recipe (14)

Keto Friendly Turkey Brine Recipe

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Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 4 hours hrs

Total Time 4 hours hrs 5 minutes mins

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Peel the rosemary off of the steam and dice a few of them to get the oils from the leaves.

  • Place the defrosted turkey into a large poultry bag or cooler (like I did).

  • Pour all the ingredients (pickles juice, water, and seasonings) on top of the turkey that sites in the cooler. Make sure the liquid is covering most of the turkey. Add more water if you don't have enough pickle juice to cover it.

  • Add a bag of ice over the turkey to allow it to stay cool for the next 12+ hours. Or put your poultry bag in the refrigerator if you have room. Ideally, you want to marinate this turkey more than 12 hours but no more than 24 hours ahead of time.

  • For each pound of meat, you should refrigerate it for one hour. For example, if you have a 12 lb turkey, you need to refrigerate this for 12 hours. Add ice to the cooler as needed. I usually only need one bag of ice to keep it cool before I cook this turkey.

  • Remove the turkey from the brine marinade. Discard the brine marinade.

  • Place the turkey into the Reynolds turkey steam bag and place about 2 more cups of water in the bag so it can create a steam when it's cooking. I like to cook the turkey with the breast down in the juices too. It always comes out perfect! No need for basting the turkey or monitoring it every hour either.

  • Here's the best part. The turkey flavor was amazing! The pickle juice brine recipe did its job without sugar! I'm so impressed!! It didn't have a pickle flavor either. It took on the flavor of all the seasonings I added!! So good! You have got to try this!

Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy.

Tried this recipe? Mention @ISaveA2Z or tag #KetoFriendlyRecipes!

Keto Pickle Juice Brine Turkey Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Can you use pickle juice for brine? ›

Brine chicken or pork with it. Drizzle it on grilled fish. Marinate beef with it. Pickle juice tenderizes meat like crazy.

What is a good sugar substitute for turkey brine? ›

Anything in a Brine beyond Salt & Water is strictly a flavor enhancer so yes. Sub the sugar with 1/2 the amount of splenda. Splenda will work, have done it with success.

What does pickle juice do for Keto? ›

Often, people on the keto diet will recommend drinking pickle juice and eating pickles. It's a great source of potassium and sodium, and those electrolytes are important to healthy body functions. The vinegar in pickle juice can also help curb sugar spikes, helping you stay in ketosis.

What is the least amount of time to brine a turkey? ›

Brine your turkey for 12 to 24 hours. The longer the better, but honestly, even a quick brine does wonders for the turkey. If you only have a few hours before it needs to go in the oven, then it's still worth doing. Be sure to keep your turkey covered and refrigerated while brining.

What is the difference between pickle juice and pickle brine? ›

The former is a supplement beverage scientifically proven to prevent muscle cramps and dehydration that does not actually contain any pickles, whereas pickle brine is a result of pickling cucumbers, and is the high sodium mixture of food and juices remaining in the jar.

Can I use pickle juice instead of pickle brine? ›

This method is basically the same as making refrigerator pickles, but instead of making fresh brine, you reuse pickle juice from the jar! The pickling liquid will make quick pickles out of the cucumbers you put in the brine.

Can I brine without sugar? ›

You really don't need any sugar in a brine, it's only purpose is to knock the edge off of the salt. Salt and water will diffuse into the meat fully, sugar has a larger molecule, so it does not get in as far.

Do I need sugar in my brine? ›

Sugar: This is an optional ingredient and is typically used to balance the saltiness of a brine. Use about 2 tablespoons per quart of liquid.

Can you brine meat without sugar? ›

A dry brine always contains salt, and other common ingredients that include sugar, garlic, dried herbs and paprika. We've put together some great seasonings and of course switched out the sugar for Monkfruit Sweetener. No need to add sugar to recipes when a great replacement is available.

Will pickle juice break ketosis? ›

A 25ml serving of pickle juice has less than one gram of carb, so drinking pickle juice on keto is safe. Pickle juice also has only five calories, making it a good option for anyone looking to lose weight.

Can you eat too many pickles on keto? ›

Even so, if you choose to eat pickles on this diet, you should do so in moderation. Making pickles at home is another great option if you want to closely monitor your sodium and carb intake. Pickles can be keto-friendly as long as they don't contain added sugar.

How many carbs a day on keto? ›

The ketogenic diet typically reduces total carbohydrate intake to less than 50 grams a day—less than the amount found in a medium plain bagel—and can be as low as 20 grams a day. Generally, popular ketogenic resources suggest an average of 70-80% fat from total daily calories, 5-10% carbohydrate, and 10-20% protein.

Is it OK if turkey is not fully submerged in brine? ›

If you don't have the fridge space for a 5-gallon container, you can place the turkey in tied bag inside an ice chest. Replenish ice as necessary to keep the temperature 40 degrees F (4 degrees C). Note: If you cannot fully submerge the turkey, you will need to turn it periodically so that each side rests in the brine.

What is the formula for brine? ›

Basic Brine

Place that volume of water in a container large enough to hold the brine and the meat. Add 1 tablespoon of salt for every cup of water you used and mix until the salt is completely dissolved. For example, if you are using 1 gallon (16 cups) of water, add 16 tablespoons (1 cup) of salt.

What happens if you don't rinse a turkey after 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. She and other food scientists have been trying to get Americans to stop rinsing poultry since the late 1990's.

What can I use leftover pickle juice for? ›

14 Ways To Use Up Leftover Pickle Juice
  • Follow up a shot with picklebacks. 5PH/Shutterstock. ...
  • Whip up a tzatziki sauce. ...
  • Make a brine for chicken or turkey. ...
  • Add extra zing to salad dressing. ...
  • Quick pickle other veggies. ...
  • Give steamed veggies a flavor boost. ...
  • Create a marinade. ...
  • Throw together pickle juice whiskey sours.
Mar 30, 2023

What can you do with old pickle juice? ›

Just re-use it! You can brine hard-boiled eggs, onions, garlic, or any other soft veggies (soft canned vegetables work well too, like canned artichokes). Pickle juice is a great meat tenderizer. Use it as a marinade for pork chops or steak.

Does pickle juice brine make chicken taste like pickles? ›

After a couple hours, the chicken will be vastly more flavorful and tender than when you bought it (and no, there won't be an overwhelming pickle taste after cooking, so long as you don't use something like gherkin brine). As easygoing as this recipe is, I still recommend choosing your brine wisely.

Can you brine cucumbers in pickle juice? ›

How to Make Homemade Pickles with Pickle Juice. Once you've finished up a jar of your favorite pickles, simply chop up the cucumbers and fully submerge them in the remaining pickle juice. Refrigerate for one week before enjoying. I've tried less resting time than that and they're still good.

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