What do you inject turkeys with?

Inject the turkey with melted butter seasoned with salt, ground black pepper, and ground rosemary to achieve the moistest meat. Cranberry BBQ Glazed Whole Turkey: This glazed turkey is heavenly, but you can make it even better by injecting it with your cranberry BBQ glaze before cooking.

How far in advance should you inject a turkey?

Once you've made the injection fluid, be sure to keep it warm so the butter doesn't solidify. After injecting the turkey, rub it with your favorite dry rub to add even more flavor. Then stick that bird back in the fridge and let it sit until you're ready to cook it—you can inject it up to 36 hours ahead.

Is it better to brine or inject turkey?

For brining, injection shortens the time it takes for the brine to get into the meat and really helps with big, irregularly shaped things like a turkey or a pork butt.

What is a Butterball turkey injected with?

Injected and Baked Whole Turkey, Water, Salt, Dextrose, Sodium Phosphate, Carrageenan, and Natural Flavors .

What is the injection method for turkey?

If you are using a needle injector you may have to use a coffee or spice grinder to make sure all dry herbs are small enough to fit through the needle and insert it into the breasts and thighs of the turkey. Inject each thigh and each side of the breast with 1/2 an ounce of marinade for every 5 lbs. of turkey .

Should I inject turkey the night before?

Remove the Bag and neck inside the cavity that makes the gravy. Remove the Plastic Thingy in the Breast Meat that pops out when you oven cook a turkey. Inject the Turkey at least 4 hours but preferably night before. Turkey Injection supplies are found at your local hardware store.

Can you inject a turkey the night before frying?

The better the turkey, the better the end result. Make sure it's fully thawed and at room temperature before you start the process. Injection Timing: Inject the marinade at least a few hours before frying, to let those flavors permeate the meat. If you can do it up to 24 hours ahead, even better!

Where are the effective shots for turkeys?

The most effective firearm shot for a turkey is to the head and neck . The preferred shot angle for bowhunters is broadside, aiming for the heart or lungs.

How often should I inject my turkey while cooking?

Take half the mixture into your meat injector or syringe and inject it evenly into both thighs and sides of the turkey breast. Use the remaining half of the mixture to baste the turkey every 30 minutes throughout the cooking process.

What are frozen turkeys injected with?

They often are injected with a basting solution of water, salt and spices —more of it than with fresh turkeys—to amp up the flavor and make the meat extra juicy. Honeysuckle White turkeys are treated to a brine of turkey broth, salt, sugar, celery and rosemary extract.

How often do you inject turkey when cooking?

Take half the mixture into your meat injector or syringe and inject it evenly into both thighs and sides of the turkey breast. Use the remaining half of the mixture to baste the turkey every 30 minutes throughout the cooking process.

What to season turkey with?

Stick with salt and pepper, put herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage to work, or take spicy Cajun seasoning for a spin for some kick . Whatever blend you choose, spread it all over the turkey—on top, underneath, between the body and wings and legs, under the skin, and even in the cavity of the bird.

How do I add flavor to my turkey?

Some options for aromatics include onion, garlic, apples or citrus fruits, celery, seasonings, herbs, beer and Coca-Cola. There are many alternatives and combinations to pull off the flavor best suited for you. Smoking your turkey is another great way to infuse it with flavor .

Turkey Injection Recipe (2024)

Published on 11/07/22

by Erin

This holiday season you should definitely give a Turkey Injection Recipe a try! It is the best way to add a lot of flavor to a perfectly juicy bird (perfect for Thanksgiving). Whether you are making a whole turkey or a turkey breast, this is the best turkey injection recipe! Just follow this step-by-step guide to a flavorful turkey!

The Best Injection Recipe For Turkey

Every year we are on deck for making a classic Thanksgiving turkey that is not only full of flavor but perfectly tender and moist. We have recently discovered that using a meat injector is the easiest way to add moisture and fresh herb flavors right into your turkey meat. No matter if you are making a traditional roast turkey injection, smoked turkey injection, or deep-fried turkey injection, the whole crowd is going to love it!

Make sure you keep your turkey moist while it is cooking by using a flavorful turkey baste!

What You Will Need

chicken broth – you can purchase some from the grocery store or make a homemade chicken broth or turkey broth.
worcestershire sauce – perfect for adding lots of savory flavor!
lemon juice – a splash of acidity is great for brightening things up and amplifying the flavor.
kosher salt & ground black pepper – simple seasonings that are always a must!
garlic – everything is better with a little garlic.
fresh thyme, fresh rosemary, & fresh sage – fresh herbs that are the perfect compliment to turkey.
bay leaf – brings more depth to the flavors.
meat injector – a simple tool used for injecting moisture and flavor directly into meat – we love this one!

Turkey Injection vs. Brine

Both options are ways to add moisture and flavor to your bird. Wet Brining involves soaking your whole turkey (or turkey breast) in a liquid that’s made up of water, kosher salt, herbs and/or fruit while the other is directly injecting broth, herbs, and butter directly into the turkey breasts and turkey thighs multiple times.

One nice thing about injecting a turkey is that you have the option to do this right before cooking your turkey or injecting it the night before cooking. A brine typically works the best when the turkey has a chance to sit in the brine for at least 12-48 hours. So, if you have less time, using a meat injector is definitely the way to go! Or you can do both a brine and use a turkey injection!

How To Make A Thanksgiving Turkey Injection Recipe

First, you can begin by gathering and measuring out your ingredients.

Place all of the ingredients for the injection mix in a small saucepan.

Place the saucepan on medium high heat and simmer for 5-10 minutes. Stir to fully combine.

Remove it from the heat to cool slightly and then pour it through a mesh strainer to remove the large chunks of food because they will clog your meat injector.

And get your meat injector assembled and ready to go. Use a measuring cup to fill your injector with the melted butter mixture.

Make 3 injections with the injection needle on the side of the breast, but for every injection hole angle the injector three different angles so you are getting 3 injections shots in the breast for every 1 hole (you don’t want too many holes or you will lose moisture).

If any liquid does come out of the hole when you remove the injector you can simply rub it into the turkey skin on the outside of the turkey.

Repeat in the turkey thigh, making 2 injections holes with the injector needle (3 different directions within in each hole).

After you have completed all of your injections you can either cook it immediately or, for best results, cover the injected turkey and place it in the refrigerator overnight.

Other Flavor Options

We love this classic savory turkey injection just as it is but feel free to get creative with the flavor options. We also recommend trying balsamic vinegar, chicken stock, onion powder, or cayenne pepper for a little fire!

Made this recipe and loved it?! We would love it if you would take a minute andleave a star rating and review– it is also helpful if you made any substitutions or changes to the recipe to share that as well. THANK YOU!

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