Master Brine

Ingredients

• 4  bay leaves 
• 6 teaspoons peppercorns black
• 2  cinnamon sticks 
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar 
• 4.5 tablespoons kosher salt 
• 4  star anise 
• 8  thyme sprigs 
• 6 cups water 

Equipment

• ziploc bags

Directions

1. To prepare basic brine, combine first 4 ingredients in a large heavy-duty zip-top plastic bag.
2. Add ingredients for either the spice flavoring or the herb flavoring; seal bag, shaking until salt and sugar dissolve.
3. Tip: For larger cuts of meat or a larger bird like a turkey, triple or quadruple the mixture.