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Southern Sweet Tea Brined Turkey Breast Recipe

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Jessica Pinney Avatar

Author

Jessica Pinney

Published

Nov. 11, 2015

Updated

Mar. 7, 2024
Sweet Tea Brined Turkey Breast in a small baking dish surrounded by sliced citrus.

Though I’ve lived in California for almost a decade now, there are still occasions when you can see my Southern roots. It mostly shines through in my cooking, but also sometimes in my accent after I’ve had a few drinks. 😉

When I don’t go home for the Holidays, I like to incorporate a few dishes that bring a piece of the South to my mouth. Sometimes I make a Cajun Turkey, but this year I thought I’d try something different.

Sweet Tea Brined Turkey in a small baking dish surrounded by sliced citrus.

My mother had recently told me how sweet tea brined chicken is very popular. I was very intrigued at the thought, but wasn’t planning on roasting chicken anytime soon. I did, however, have another bird that I needed to do something with…

And thus this recipe for Southern Sweet Tea Brined Turkey Breast was born. This brine is really easy to put together and makes the turkey oh-so-tender. It practically fell apart when I was trying to slice it. If you’ve ever suffered from dry turkey, I’m writing you a prescription for this sweet tea brine recipe!

Sweet Tea Brined Turkey Breast that's been sliced.

A whole turkey is just way too much meat for a few people so I chose to do a breast. If you want to brine an entire turkey, all you need to do is double this recipe.

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Southern Sweet Tea Brined Turkey Breast Recipe

Turkey breast marinated in a delicious sweet tea and citrus brine. Perfect for feeding smaller Thanksgiving crowds!
5 from 4 votes
Print
Southern Sweet Tea Brined Turkey Breast
Prep Time: 1 day d
Cook Time: 1 hour hr
Total Time: 1 day d 1 hour hr
Servings: 6

Ingredients

  • 3-5 lb Boneless Turkey Breast
  • 1/2 – 1 gallon water
  • 6 Lipton Tea Bags
  • 1 Cup Brown Sugar
  • 1/2 Cup Salt
  • 1/2 Vidalia Onion, sliced thin
  • 1 Lemon, sliced thin
  • 1 Orange, sliced thin
  • 1/2 Tbsp Peppercorns, I used Hawaiian Rainbow
  • 4 Garlic Cloves, sliced thin
  • Olive Oil
  • Salt & Pepper

Instructions

  • Bring the water to a boil in a large pot. Add tea bags, turn off and let steep 10 minutes.
  • Turn the heat back on medium-high. Add the salt and brown sugar. Stir until completely dissolved.
  • Add onion, lemon, orange, and garlic.
  • Remove from heat. Add peppercorns. Let cool.
  • Once brine has cooled completely, put your turkey breast in a turkey bag and cover with the sweet tea brine. If the brine does not completely cover the turkey, add some extra water.
  • Secure bag and refrigerate submersed in the brine for 12-24 hours.
  • Remove turkey from the sweet tea brine. Rinse, then pat dry. (It is important to pat dry so the skin gets a nice crispy skin when cooking!)
  • Place turkey in a baking dish (mine fit perfectly in a 9×9). It is optional, but you can place additional freshly sliced lemons and oranges around the turkey to help keep it juicy.
  • Drizzle some olive oil over the top of your turkey breast. Sprinkle a little salt and crack some fresh pepper over the top.
  • Roast at 450F for about 40-60 minutes, until the internal temperature reads 170F.
  • Let rest 10-15 minutes before slicing.
  • Serve warm and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 254kcal (13%)
Author: Jessica Pinney
Did you make this recipe?Please tag @cookingwithjanica on Instagram! We’d love to see!
Southern Sweet Tea Turkey Brine

 

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Recipe Rating




32 responses

  1. Beth
    November 12, 2015

    I’ve never heard of this type of brine but it makes sense. Sounds yummy!

    Reply
  2. Karla
    November 12, 2015

    What a great idea, your turkey breast looks delicious and juicy!

    Reply
  3. Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks
    November 12, 2015

    That turkey looks amazing! That color is just gorgeous! I live in North Carolina and I’ve never heard of the sweet tea brine, but is sure sounds like a great idea.

    Reply
  4. Lindsey
    November 12, 2015

    I just spent 2 years in the South, and was amazed at how popular sweet tea was! This is such a great use of it! I can tell just from the pictures that the turkey meat is super moist and tender. I know from experience that is not easy to accomplish!

    Reply
  5. lisa
    November 13, 2015

    The Turkey looks amazing! Adding it to my list for Thanksgiving 2016!

    Reply
  6. kristi mcdaniel
    November 14, 2015

    Jeeze, I would love to win that gift card. I would get a new laptop.

    Reply
  7. Ramona @ The Merchant Baker
    November 15, 2015

    I love how juicy brining makes turkey. I have never brined with tea before, though, I have to say, this looks wonderful!

    Reply
  8. Ever D
    November 15, 2015

    I’d probably buy movies. This post has made me thirsty for sweet tea…and I never even drink it.

    Reply
  9. Susan Broughton
    November 23, 2015

    There is so much i could do with $650 Amazon but I think I would share it with my family so we can have a nice Christmas. If I put it back to save for Christmas we could all have a really nice gifts

    Reply
  10. Keli
    November 24, 2015

    Hi! This sounds great 🙂 Quick question – you have peppercorns in the ingredient listing but I don’t see them used in the instructions. Did I miss them? Or are they just ground up for the pepper? Thanks!!

    Reply
    1. Jessica Pinney
      November 24, 2015

      Hi Keli!

      So sorry, I must’ve forgot to mention them. Add them to the brine when you remove it from the heat. Hope that helps!

      Reply
  11. Anne
    March 31, 2016

    Love the idea of the sweet tea. I have a turkey breast in my freezer, I might have to try this!

    Reply
  12. Monica
    November 8, 2016

    5 stars
    A sweet tea brined turkey breast? Sounds like GENIUS to me! Yum! 🙂

    Reply
  13. Kimberly @ Berly’s Kitchen
    November 8, 2016

    I lived in the South my entire life up until the last 6 years and have never heard of this. What an interesting idea!

    Reply
  14. Jenni
    November 8, 2016

    5 stars
    Love that you used sweet tea as a brine! Great idea

    Reply
  15. Citra Kale @Citra’s Home Diary
    November 9, 2016

    The brine you use is incredible yummy! I usually use tea brine for eggs. thx for sharing wonderful recipe.

    Reply
  16. Erin
    November 13, 2016

    What a unique recipe~never heard of sweet tea brine. Trying this one out for sure.

    Reply
    1. LYNN
      November 24, 2020

      THE BEST BRINE FOR TURKEY AND CHICKEN ON THE GRILL.

      Reply
  17. Michelle Ferrand
    November 14, 2016

    Janica, I love all of your recipes, and this is no exception!

    Reply
  18. Lis @ The Fare Sage
    November 15, 2016

    Sounds absolutely divine. I can’t wait to try the brine with my Christmas turkey.

    Reply
  19. Adam
    November 23, 2016

    Does the cooking time change if its not a boneless breast? The turkey breast I have is 7lbs but its not boneless.

    Reply
    1. Jessica Pinney
      November 23, 2016

      I imagine there would be a difference, but I’ve never cooked a bone-in breast, so I’m not sure. Start checking it a little early. When it is 170 degrees Fahrenheit in the thickest part, it is ready.

      Reply
  20. K. Ford
    November 12, 2017

    Could you use this brine recipe when cooking a whole turkey? If so, what would be the oven setting?

    Reply
    1. Jessica Pinney
      November 12, 2017

      Yes, but you will need to at least double this brine recipe. Just roast like normal, at 325 F.

      Reply
  21. Shanna
    November 11, 2019

    Does the turkey taste like tea?

    Reply
  22. Ashley
    May 21, 2020

    This is the BEST sweet tea brine!! We use to to make smoked sweet tea chicken wings. Highly recommend!

    Reply
    1. Jessica Pinney
      May 21, 2020

      That sounds delicious! We’ll have to try it in our smoker this summer.

      Reply
  23. Beverly Scott
    November 24, 2020

    Do I remove the tea bags onionds and fruit before adding to my Turkey?

    Reply
    1. Jessica Pinney
      November 24, 2020

      Remove the tea bags, but not the onion and fruit.

      Reply
  24. Daniel Medrano
    November 28, 2020

    Is this recipe for a full gallon or a half gallon

    Reply
  25. joe mattingly
    October 18, 2022

    5 stars
    Wonderful brine. I didnt have oranges or lemons, but made due with dried orange peel and lemon juice. Love the flavor this added to my turkey breast. I smoked mine instead of roasting, but it was amazing!

    Reply
  26. Candice Rene
    December 16, 2023

    5 stars
    I’ve made this recipe 3 times now. The turkey has a great flavor and is so tender and moist!!

    Reply

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