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How Long to Dry-Brine a Turkey and Whether Whole Birds Can Be Brined

Asked Nov 21, 2024 by Adam P.

I have seen a number of sites, including Milk Street, that recommend dry brining a spatchcocked turkey for Thanksgiving. Each site seems to have different recommendations on how long to dry brine. The range has been from 8 hours to 4 days. I believe Milk Street recommends no more than 24 hours. Is there a definitive answer to this question or others that have used this technique? A second note is that I plan to smoke the turkey on a pellet grill. Thank you in advance for your advice.

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COMMENTS

  • Adam P.

    November 25, 2024

    Thank you Elizabeth! Happy Holidays to you as well!

  • Ian N.

    April 7, 2025

    I have a follow up question… is dry brining a turkey only done on a spatchcock bird or can you do it on an intact turkey? And does the salt actually penetrate the skin and “brine” the meat also?

    • Elizabeth MindreauMilk Street Staff

      April 7, 2025

      Hello Ian –

      Yes doing it on a whole bird is fine. It does penetrate the skin, much like dry-brining a chicken. The salt will work the same way on the meat whether the turkey is spatchcocked or not.