The basic brining ratio is four cups, or one gallon of water for every cup of added salt. The salt-to-water ratio for brining typically varies depending on the recipe and the type of food being brined. However, as the we write the general guideline is to use a ratio of 1 cup of salt (kosher or sea salt is often recommended) to 1 gallon of water. This ratio can be adjusted to suit personal taste and specific recipes. It’s important to fully dissolve the salt in the water before adding the food to ensure even brining.