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Turkey Brining Bags

With all the preparation that goes into the Thanksgiving turkey—do you really need a special bag for brining, too?

Published Nov. 1, 2006.

UpdateNovember 2018
These food-safe bags are still a test kitchen favorite for brining turkey. Their large size, handle, and flat bottom make them an easy and reliable choice because they don't slip or spill—just about the last thing you'd want on Thanksgiving.
See Everything We Tested

What You Need To Know

Brining a turkey is a great way to ensure a moist, fully seasoned bird, but where do you put a 5-gallon bucket when the refrigerator is already stuffed to the gills with holiday foods? A turkey brining bag seemed like a nice idea; it should be a lot easier to make room for a flexible container that isn't much bigger than the turkey. Unfortunately, the specially designated turkey brining bags we tried were fraught with problems—slippery, floppy, and tough to fill with turkey and brine.

We found a better option: Although designed for storing sweaters and pillows, Ziploc Big Bags XL ($5.79 for four) are foodsafe and, at 2 feet by 1.7 feet, they're the perfect size for turkey brining. In addition, the flat bottom keeps the bag steady during filling, and a handle provides a tighter grip on the slippery plastic.

Everything We Tested

Good : 3 stars out of 3.Fair : 2 stars out of 3.Poor : 1 stars out of 3.
*All products reviewed by America’s Test Kitchen are independently chosen, researched, and reviewed by our editors. We buy products for testing at retail locations and do not accept unsolicited samples for testing. We list suggested sources for recommended products as a convenience to our readers but do not endorse specific retailers. When you choose to purchase our editorial recommendations from the links we provide, we may earn an affiliate commission. Prices are subject to change.
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