A Brine for Every Bird

Lean upland birds and waterfowl dry out fast, and a brine is the cheapest insurance you can buy. Salt and water, a little sugar, and a few hours are all it takes to keep a pheasant juicy.

The salt does two things: it seasons deep past the surface and it helps the muscle hold moisture through the heat. An overnight soak is plenty for a whole bird.

Pat it bone-dry before it hits the pan or the smoke, or the skin will never crisp. A dry surface and a brined interior is the whole secret to good fowl.

Written by Delia Marsh for Hunters & Anglers Kitchen.