Provided is a brine solution comprising (a) water (b) salts comprising (i) sodium chloride and (ii) one or more phosphate salts, (c) one or more methyl cellulose, one or more hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, or a mixture thereof, and (d) one or more carboxymethyl cellulose, wherein (b) is present in an amount of 3% to 20% by weight based on the weight of the brine solution, wherein (c) and (d) are present in amounts such that the amount of (c) plus the amount of (d) is 0.2% to 5% based on the weight of the brine solution, wherein the amount of (d) is 15% to 30% by weight based on the sum of the weights of (c) and (d). Also provided is a method for treating meat comprising bringing said meat into contact with such a brine solution.
