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    Home » Chicken Wings

    Brine For Chicken Wings

    Posted: Jan 27, 2021 · Updated: Apr 20, 2021 by Tonje

    Jump to Recipe

    This simple brine for chicken wings will help you make perfect juicy, tender chicken wings with minimal effort.

    A container with brine.
    Jump to:
    • What is brine?
    • Why you should brine chicken wings
    • Brine vs marinade
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • How much brine do you need?
    • Chicken wing recipes
    • Frequently asked questions
    • You might also like these recipes
    • Recipe

    This post may contain affiliate links. Read more about it in the privacy policy.

    What is brine?

    Brine consists of water, vinegar, salt and sugar, and has multiple culinary uses. It can be used as a preservative for some foods such as pickles.

    When meat is brined, the liquid will encourage the proteins in the meat to break down. As a result, the meat is much more tender.

    Brining is most commonly used on turkey and chicken, as these lean meats contain little fat and can often be quite dry.

    Why you should brine chicken wings

    • It's really easy to do
    • It adds a great flavor to the wings
    • The meat becomes extra tender and juicy
    • Brining can save extra dry cuts of chicken
    • The method works regardless of which recipe you use
    • Works for baked, fried and grilled chicken wings
    • You can also brine chicken before you marinate it
    A container of brine, with tongs adding chicken wings.

    Brine vs marinade

    So what is the difference between brine and marinade? Well, there are mainly three differences.

    Firstly, a marinade contains a lot of flavorful seasoning, while a brine is very simple and mainly consists of vinegar, salt, sugar and water.

    Secondly, marinades are usually much thicker, to ensure that the flavor doesn't simply drip off the chicken.

    And thirdly, meat is typically marinated with a small amount of sauce, whereas if you use a brine, the meat should be completely submerged in the liquid.

    Ingredients

    To make this brine, you will need water, salt, pepper, sugar and white wine vinegar.

    Brine contains a very large amount of sugar and salt, however keep in mind that the liquid is discarded after use, and you will therefore not actually consume the majority of it.

    The ingredients needed to make brine laid out on a table.

    Instructions

    1. Make the brine: Combine the water, vinegar, salt, pepper and sugar in a container. Stir until completely dissolved.
    2. Brine the chicken: Add the chicken wings to the brine, and make sure to submerge every piece completely. Store in a refrigerator for 2-24 hours.
    3. Cook the chicken: Discard the brining liquid. Use your favorite method or recipe to cook the wings the way you like them.
    Chicken wings in brine.

    Browse my collection of chicken wing recipes for some tasty recipe ideas.

    How much brine do you need?

    This recipe makes enough brine for up to 2 pounds of chicken wings, or around 30 wing pieces.

    When brining meat, it's really important to use enough liquid for all the wings to be completely submerged. If you want to brine a larger amount of wings, you can multiply the recipe.

    Chicken wing recipes

    • Honey Sriracha Wings
    • Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings
    • Cajun Chicken Wings

    💡 TIP! Discard the liquid after the wings have been brined. It cannot be re-used.

    Brined chicken wings in a bowl.
    Brined chicken wings ready to cook.

    Frequently asked questions

    Is it worth brining chicken wings?

    Although brining chicken wing is not necessary, it results in more juicy, tender and flavorful meat. If you have the time to brine wings, it is definitely worth it.

    Can you brine chicken for more than 24 hours?

    No, I would not recommend brining chicken for over 24 hours. If you do this, the chicken will absorb a lot of salt, and the result could be really salty chicken wings.

    You might also like these recipes

    • BBQ Baked Chicken Wings
    • How to Cut Chicken Wings
    • Cajun Chicken Wings
    • Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings

    If you make this recipe, make sure to post a photo to Instagram with #hintofhealthy!

    Recipe

    Brine for Chicken Wings.

    Brine for Chicken Wings

    This easy brine for chicken wings will help you make perfect juicy and tender chicken wings every time!
    Created by: Tonje
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 0 mins
    Total Time 5 mins
    Course Dinner, Sauce
    Cuisine American
    Servings 30 wings
    Calories 7 kcal

    Equipment

    • Tongs
    • Mixing Bowl
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 3 cups water
    • ¼ cup white wine vinegar
    • ¼ cup salt
    • ¼ cup sugar
    • 1 tablespoon pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Combine all ingredients in a bowl or container.
    • Add the chicken wings to the brine, and make sure that the meat is completely submerged.
    • Cover the container, and place it in a refrigerator for 2-24 hours.
    • Drain the brined chicken, and discard the liquid. Cook the chicken wings using your favorite recipe.

    Video

    Notes

    • As the majority of the brine is discarded, and not actually absorbed into the chicken, the nutritional information will not accurately represent the amount you consume.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 7kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 945mgPotassium: 4mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 2mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword chicken wing, easy, healthy, white wine vinegar
    Tried this recipe?Mention @hintofhealthyfood or tag #hintofhealthy!
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    Hi, I'm Tonje! I make easy and healthy everyday recipes that your family will love. Browse my recipe collection to discover new favorites, and make sure to let me know what you think!

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