All-Purpose Pork Brine

My Carolina Kitchen

1 ½ quarts hot water

3 tablespoons kosher salt

2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme

2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 teaspoons freshly ground (coarse) black pepper

4 garlic cloves, crushed

2 bay leaves

½ of large lemon, sliced

Stir together all of the ingredients in a large stockpot until salt and sugar dissolve. Let stand 1 hour.

Adapted from Southern Living, yield 1 ½ quarts