Want to set your Thanksgiving dinner up for success? Then consider brining your bird. If you're not sure how to brine a turkey, you're in luck—it requires minimal planning, only a few pantry staples and a just little extra (hands-off) time. The payoff, however, is huge—you'll be rewarded with a Thanksgiving turkey that's flavorful and extra-moist. These recipes will give you plenty of options, but if you're looking for a go-to, try Ree's easy turkey brine. It calls for just 8 ingredients—but guarantees an impressive Thanksgiving main every time.

This buttermilk-brined, spice-rubbed turkey delivers juicy, flavorful meat with a golden, crispy skin thanks to a 24-hour soak and a bold blend of spices. Perfect for impressing guests at your next holiday feast or special gathering.

This is our go-to brine for turkey. It's simple, flavorful and most importantly leaves you with a succulent, juicy, perfectly-seasoned bird. It's also perfect for chicken, pork chops, Cornish game hens—you name it. While we like the combination of thyme and sage, you can also use other hearty herbs such as rosemary, oregano or marjoram.

This turkey brine combines the warming sweetness of maple syrup and aromatic herbs and spices which yield a delicious, juicy bird. Before roasting, a compound butter loaded with sage and parsley gets spread under the skin which bastes the meat while is cooks.

Presenting a whole roasted turkey on your Thanksgiving table might provide that “Norman Rockwell” moment, but most often you end up with a bird that has cooked unevenly with dry overcooked breasts or undercooked thighs. Cooking the light and dark meat separately, like we did here, ensures that every part of the turkey is cooked perfectly.