By Positively Osceola Staff 

As holiday gatherings approach, the quest for the perfect turkey takes center stage—and this year, Osceola County hosts have a technique to elevate their feast: brining.

Brining is the process of soaking a turkey in a solution of water, salt and flavour enhancers prior to cooking. According to the experts at Butterball, this step “will help ensure you end up with a deliciously moist and flavour-packed turkey for your next gathering.”

Here’s how you can do it right—whether you’re hosting in Kissimmee, St. Cloud, Celebration or another part of Osceola County:

1. Select and prepare your turkey

Purchase a fresh turkey if possible (eliminating the need to thaw) or fully thaw a frozen one. The night before roasting, remove the giblets and neck.

2. Prepare the brine

Choose a brine recipe that suits your style—sweet, savoury or seasoned. Mix all ingredients until the salt is completely dissolved. If you heat the brine to dissolve, be sure to cool it to room temperature before placing the turkey in it.

3. Brine the bird

Place your turkey breast-down in a large, food-grade container (plastic, stainless steel, glass or a large brining bag) that can fit in your fridge. Pour the brine so that the turkey is fully immersed. Then refrigerate for the recommended time.

4. Remove, rinse and dry

Once the brining time is up, remove the turkey, rinse off the brine solution, and pat dry with paper towels. Then proceed to cook as you plan (roast, smoke, deep-fry, etc.).

Why do it?

In Florida’s warm-weather hospitality zone, keeping meat moist is key—brining helps the turkey retain moisture during cooking, improving texture and overall mouthfeel. If you’ve hosted before and found your turkey dry or less juicy than you hoped, brining might be your holiday game-changer.

Local tip for Osceola hosts

  • Use a cooler with ice packs to maintain the refrigerated temperature if your fridge space is limited.

  • Add Florida-style flavour enhancements: think citrus slices (local oranges or grapefruits), herbs from your garden (rosemary, thyme) or maybe a splash of local honey in the brine for a subtly sweet glaze.

  • Make sure to plan the timing: set aside the night before to start the brine so that the turkey is ready to go for cooking on your event day.

  • For safety, keep the turkey submerged and chilled (below 40 °F) during the entire brining process.

Final word

With a little extra prep, you can serve a turkey that’s both flavourful and juicy—a winning combination for Thanksgiving, holiday get-togethers or even a mid-season celebration here in Osceola County.

May your holiday table in Osceola County be filled with warmth, great company, and the perfect turkey. 🦃