Thanksgiving PSA: Speaker Boehner Teaches You How to Brine a Turkey

We know him as the speaker of the House, but John Boehner has some secrets to share about how to brine a turkey.

He’s not just responsible for keeping those uppity tea partiers in line, he’s responsible for his family’s Thanksgiving turkey.

Here is the recipe and, below, a video of Boehner of discussing his special brine.

The Boehner Brine

Ingredients:

• 8 quarts water
• 6 bay leaves
• 2 cups Kosher salt
• 3 tbsp peppercorns
• 1 head of garlic
• 16 oz pure maple syrup

Bring the brine close to a boil, then let it cool.  Put a bag in a five-gallon bucket.  Wash the turkey and remove the insides.  Put the turkey in the bucket.  Pour the brine over to cover the turkey.  Keep the turkey submerged.  Let it stand overnight in the refrigerator or outside if it is cool enough.  After 24 hours, take it out and rinse it off.  At that point, it’s ready to be cooked.