Apple Brine Recipe

Ingredients for Apple Brine

• Water
• 4 cups apple juice
• 1/4 cup kosher salt
• Maple Syrup
• Thyme
• 2 tablespoons black peppercorns
• 4 bay leaves
• Garlic Cloves
• Jalapeno Pepper
• 1 cup apple cider vinegar

How to Make Apple Brine

1. In a large saucepan, combine 4 cups apple juice, 1 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup kosher salt, 2 tablespoons black peppercorns, 4 bay leaves, and 2 cinnamon sticks.
2. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
3. Remove from heat. Strain the brine through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a large bowl. Allow to cool completely to room temperature, then chill thoroughly in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours (or up to overnight).
4. Add 4-6 pounds of pork chops to the chilled brine, ensuring they are fully submerged. Marinate in the refrigerator for 8-12 hours, or longer for even more intense flavor.
5. Remove pork chops from the brine and pat them completely dry with paper towels before grilling. Excess moisture will prevent proper browning.
6. Grill to your desired doneness, or use in your favorite recipe. Enjoy!