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4.70 from 10 votes

Homemade Brine Mix

Ingredients

  • 1 cup kosher salt (be sure to use kosher salt, not table salt)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tbsp rosemary
  • 2 tbsp thyme
  • 2 tbsp peppercorns
  • 2 tbsp minced garlic (dried, from the spice aisle)
  • 2 tbsp dried lemon peel (or dried lemon slices - see notes)
  • 1 tbsp sage
  • 6 bay leaves

Instructions

  • I recommend dissolving 3 tbsp of brine mix into 2 cups of water per pound of protein.
  • Depending on the type and size of protein, submerge the protein in the cooled brine solution for 2 hours for something like chicken tenderloins or up to overnight for something like a pork butt. I aim for 5-8 hours for thick chicken breast.
  • See my recipe for Juicy Air Fryer Chicken for more detailed, step-by-step instructions with photos of how to brine chicken.

Notes

  • If you'd prefer to avoid buying all the spices individually, you can also use pre-mixed spices.  I used an Italian seasoning blend containing rosemary, thyme, and sage instead of buying them all separately.
  • To make your own dried lemon slices:
    • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or SILPAT.
    • Slice a lemon thinly (about 1/8") and arrange in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
    • Bake at lowest temperature setting your oven will accommodate (usually between 170 degrees to 200 degrees) for 5-8 hours or until lemons are dry and no longer tacky to the touch.  Flip once about 3 hrs through baking.