It’s almost Turkey Time! Thanksgiving is just around the corner, which means lots of people think of those dry turkeys they’ve had to endure in the past and how to fix it for this year. If you are in that group, might I suggest injecting your turkey with a flavorful marinade to help with moisture and flavor. Everybody needs options, so I wanted to give you some of my different turkey injection recipes.
The first thing people will say is, “you should brine your turkey.” Yes, brining has many adherents but there are some pros and cons to brining. First, brining a turkey requires a good bit of refrigerated space, generally for a two days, if you include drying time. Space in the fridge is generally in short supply around the holidays and this may not be something you can accommodate. Secondly, brining has its drawbacks in terms of how it affects (for me at least) the skin and texture of the turkey. To combat that, remove the turkey from brine at least 12 hours before cooking. Place the turkey on a cooling or drying rack on top of a sheet pan.
I think it’s best if you have the time and space to inject and hour or two before cooking. If you’re in a hurry, you can inject right before cooking and it will still improve the bird. You’re going to need an injector obviously. If this is a once-a-year thing for you, then grab an injector from the grocery store for a couple of dollars. They will suffice to get through one turkey a year. If you cook and BBQ more often through the year, you’ll want to invest in a better injector. Here is a heavy duty injector that will make short work of turkeys, pork butts, whole hogs, etc.
When you inject the turkey, try not to go through the skin too often. I usually work around the skin of the breast as much as possible. If I do go through the skin, I will use it multiple times by injecting through that spot multiple times (at different angles.)
I’m attaching some recipes below to help you get started. As you see, you’ll only be limited by your imagination when you inject, so if you want to add some different flavors, knock yourself out. The only caution is making sure you don’t have too large of particles in your injection recipe, or you might clog your needle. These recipes also work great with any poultry, so don’t just save them for Thanksgiving!
Cooking a turkey breast can often result in dry, bland meat. But injecting it with a flavorful homemade marinade ensures it turns out juicy, tender and packed with taste. With the right injection recipe, you can take your turkey from forgettable to fantastic.
There are so many options for what to inject a turkey breast with. The key is using ingredients that complement each other and create your ideal flavor profile. Let’s explore some popular combinations so you can make a marinade that matches your tastes.
Savory Ingredients for Turkey Injection
Savory flavors form a tasty base for turkey injection, Consider using
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Broths Chicken turkey or vegetable broth adds moisture.
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Fats: Melted butter or olive oil keeps the meat tender.
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Aromatics Garlic onions, shallots provide depth.
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Herbs: Rosemary, thyme, sage lend earthiness.
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Umami: Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce boosts savoriness.
Broths, fats, aromatics and herbs create a classic savory blend. For example, chicken broth, melted butter, minced garlic and thyme makes a simple savory marinade.
Sweetness Balances Out Savory
Adding a touch of sweetness balances the savory and gives it more complexity. Sweeteners like:
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Honey or maple syrup
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Brown or white sugar
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Fruit juices like apple, orange, pineapple
When combined with savory flavors, the sweetness really elevates the overall taste. Consider brown sugar, apple juice, garlic and sage for a sweet, savory marinade.
Spice It Up With Heat
Spicy ingredients give turkey injection extra vibrancy. Good options include:
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Hot sauces like Tabasco, Sriracha
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Crushed red pepper flakes
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Cayenne, ancho or chipotle powder
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Minced fresh chilies like jalapeño or serrano
Add as much or as little spice as you want. For an Asian twist, use Sriracha, sesame oil, garlic and ginger. For Southwestern flavor, add diced green chiles and cumin.
Fresh Herbs For Brightness
Fresh herbs are a must for brightness. Chopped options like:
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Rosemary, thyme, sage
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Parsley, cilantro, basil
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Oregano, marjoram, dill
Use a single fresh herb or a blend. Lemon juice also adds nice acidity and complements herbs.
Umami Boosters
Ingredients high in savory umami flavors take the marinade up a notch. Consider:
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Soy sauce or tamari
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Worcestershire sauce
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Tomato paste
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Parmesan cheese
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Mushrooms
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Anchovies
A small amount of any umami booster packs a big flavor punch.
Oil For Richness
Adding some oil enriches the marinade and helps it evenly coat the meat. Good choices are:
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Olive oil
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Vegetable, canola or avocado oil
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Toasted sesame oil
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Melted butter
Olive oil, vegetable oil or butter are neutral enough to use with any marinade. Sesame oil is ideal for Asian flavors.
Sample Turkey Injection Recipes
Now let’s look at some recipe ideas combining savory, sweet, spice and herbs:
Italian Herb
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp Italian herb blend
- 1 tsp salt
Apple Sage
- 1/2 cup apple juice
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp fresh sage, chopped
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
Southwestern
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 jalapeño, minced
- 2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
Lemon Herb Butter
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Sweet and Spicy
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 1 tbsp sriracha
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Tips for Injecting Turkey Breast
Once you’ve mixed up your marinade, follow these tips for injecting:
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Inject 1/4 cup marinade per 2-3 lbs turkey breast
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Inject the day before cooking or right before
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Insert needle deep into thickest parts
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Distribute injections evenly
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Go in at different angles
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Avoid hitting bones
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Roast, grill, or smoke until 165°F internal temp
With the right homemade marinade and technique, you can make any turkey breast incredibly moist, tender and packed with flavor. Get creative with your own signature injection!
Spicy Maple Poultry injection
This injection recipe brings the heat and the sweet to your bird.
- 1 cup chicken stock or 1 cup prepared Melissa’s Poultry Brine
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp white pepper
- 1 tsp granulated garlic
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp chipotle chili powder
- 1 tsp hot sauce
- Add all ingredients to a saucepan and bring it to almost a boil while whisking. Allow to cool before use.
How to Smoke a Turkey Breast & Inject Marinade for Moist Turkey
FAQ
What should I inject my turkey with?
Inject the turkey with melted butter seasoned with salt, ground black pepper, and ground rosemary to achieve the moistest meat.
Is it better to brine or inject a turkey breast?
You brine a turkey to get salt into the bird for more flavorful meat. It does increase the moisture content as well to make it juicy but you need the salt there to keep the water in the meat while it cooks. Injection can still be done to add additional or other flavors into the meat before cooking.
What is butterball turkey injected with?
Injected and Baked Whole Turkey, Water, Salt, Dextrose, Sodium Phosphate, Carrageenan, and Natural Flavors.
When should I inject turkey breast before smoking?
While you can inject and season a turkey immediately before cooking, completing those steps anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple of hours ahead of time gives …Nov 8, 2024