A turkey injector is an invaluable kitchen tool for anyone who wants juicy, flavorful meat. As the name suggests, an injector allows you to inject marinades, broths, and other flavorful liquids directly into poultry, roasts, and other meats This helps ensure even seasoning throughout the meat and ramps up the moisture level for outrageously tasty results
But with so many options on the market, how do you know where to buy the best turkey injector for your needs? I’ve injected my fair share of birds over the years, so I’m here to share my tips on finding the perfect injector and where to buy it.
What is a Turkey Injector?
First, let’s cover the basics. A turkey injector is a large syringe used to infuse liquid seasoning into meat before cooking. It has a long hollow needle that lets you penetrate deep into the thickest parts of the meat.
Turkey injectors have a few key components:
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The barrel or body holds the liquid seasoning. Capacities generally range from 1-3 ounces.
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The plunger pushes the liquid through the needle and into the meat.
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The needle injects the liquid. Most injectors come with multiple needle tips for different purposes.
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O-rings create a tight seal to prevent leaks.
Quality injectors are made from food-safe materials like plastic or stainless steel. The best have markings on the barrel so you can measure how much liquid you’re injecting.
Benefits of Using a Turkey Injector
There are a few major benefits to injecting your meat rather than just marinating or basting the surface:
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Deep, even flavor – Injecting distributes seasoning throughout the meat, not just on the outer surface. This ramps up flavor in every bite.
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Juicier meat – Infusing extra moisture into lean cuts helps them stay tender and succulent during cooking.
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Faster marinating – Injected marinades penetrate meat in minutes rather than hours.
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Works for large cuts – An injector can penetrate deep into large roasts and thick turkey breasts that marinades struggle to flavor.
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Infuse fat and butter – You can inject melted butter, oils, or rendered fat for rich, luxurious texture.
Features to Look for in a Turkey Injector
When comparing injectors, keep an eye out for these features:
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Capacity – 1 to 2 ounce barrels are sufficient for most purposes. Larger turkey injectors around 3 ounces make quick work of big birds and roasts.
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Materials – Plastic injectors are affordable but can crack over time. Stainless steel is durable and withstands heat for injecting hot liquids.
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Needle tips – Multiple needles allow you to inject liquids and oils as well as chunkier marinades. Look for at least 2-3 needles.
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Plunger design – A ring plunger offers the best grip andcontrol. Avoid flimsy plungers.
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Measurement markings – Look for volume markings on the barrel to measure how much you’re injecting.
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Comfortable grip – Ergonomic finger rests help you control the plunger.
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Leakproof seals – O-rings should create a tight seal to prevent messy leaks.
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Easy to clean – Dishwasher-safe injectors make cleanup a breeze.
Where to Buy a Turkey Injector
Now that you know what to look for, here are some of the best places to buy a turkey injector:
Kitchen Supply Stores
Stores like Sur La Table, Williams Sonoma, and Bed Bath and Beyond have a great selection of turkey injectors. The benefit is you can see and handle them in person rather than gamble on an online purchase. Just be prepared to pay higher prices at these retailers.
Hardware and Home Improvement Stores
Home Depot, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, and True Value stores typically stock a few basic turkey injector models, often for very reasonable prices. The selection is limited but it’s a handy option if you’re in a pinch.
Amazon
Amazon carries a massive assortment of turkey injectors in every price range. You’ll find hundreds of options with full product descriptions and thousands of customer reviews to help you choose. Prime members get fast free shipping too. Just beware of ultra-cheap injectors that may leak or have flimsy needles.
Walmart
Along with everyday low prices, Walmart makes it easy to grab an injector with convenient in-store pickup or 2-day shipping. They carry their own Mainstays brand injector as well as OXO and other brands.
Specialty Meat and BBQ Retailers
Stores focused on grilling, BBQ, smoking, and meat preparation offer really high-quality injectors purpose-built for meat. Brands like ThermoPro, Grill Beast, and Cave Tools are often hard to find elsewhere. Expect to pay more but also get better materials and engineering.
Restaurant Supply Stores
Commercial kitchen supply stores like Webstaurant often have great deals on no-frills, durable injectors meant for frequent professional use. As a bonus, it’s easy to snag extra needles and o-rings for replacements. Just know that fancier home models do offer a nicer user experience.
My Top Turkey Injector Recommendations
Ready to get injecting? Here are my picks for the best turkey injectors in three price tiers:
Budget:
- OXO Good Grips Flavor Injector – $15
- Grill Beast Marinade Injector- $12
Mid-range:
- Cave Tools Meat Injector – $25
- Ofargo Professional 304 Stainless Steel Injector – $23
Premium:
- SpitJack Magnum Meat Injector Kit – $40
- GrillHogs Marinade Injector – $36
Any of these will make it easy to infuse foolproof flavor into turkey, chicken, roasts, and more. For best results, always inject marinades slowly and carefully to prevent leaks. And be sure to sanitize the needle before and after each use.
Get Injecting!
A quality turkey injector is one of the best investments you can make for spectacularly delicious meat. With so many excellent options available at retailers everywhere from Amazon to your local kitchenware store, it’s easy to find the perfect injector for your budget and cooking style.
I recommend grabbing an injector and getting ready to enjoy the juiciest, most flavor-packed turkey, chicken, roasts and other meats of your life. Just be prepared for family and friends to beg you for your secret recipe every time you cook. Now get out there and start injecting some serious flavor!
Best for Minced Marinades
- Large capacity
- Durable material
- Easy to use
What We Dont Like
- No cleaning brushes or carrying case
There’s nothing quite like a flavorful marinade full of tasty ingredients like minced garlic, onions, or veggies. But to make these marinades, you’ll need an injector that can handle thicker liquids and even bits and pieces. Make sure whatever tool you choose comes with at least one wider needle that won’t clog. This stainless steel option comes with two needles suitable for the thicker stuff, plus the barrel is large enough for those thicker liquids, since it accommodates up to 2 ounces. Still, it comes with a thin option for regular liquid marinades.
That’s not all you’ll get, though. The set also comes with spare O-rings to ensure a tight seal, as well as cleaning brushes to keep the whole thing in tip-top shape.
Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 2 ounces | Dimensions: 6.8 x 1.2 x 1.5 inches
Best Gun
- Includes carrying case and cleaning brushes
- Durable material
- Comes with multiple needles
What We Dont Like
- Difficult to assemble and disassemble
- Hard to store
Though a simple marinade injector is enough for most amateur cooks, a marinade gun—often used by grill masters in competitions—will take your meal prep to the next level. Why? Marinade guns allow you to inject a very precise amount of marinade at a time but hold up to 50 milliliters to limit the number of times you need to refill.
This gun is a favorite because it’s easy to operate. Think of it kind of like a caulk gun—you simply set the injection amount with the dial, then gently squeeze. It also comes in a comprehensive kit that includes just about everything you could possibly need: four marinating needles, three cleaning brushes, and a case for storage and easy transport. And, if on the off-chance you lose something, you can buy replacement parts rather than splurge on a whole new gun.
The marinating needles are great for large cuts of meat since they can penetrate up to 5.5 inches deep. Still, you have options for smaller cuts, too, like the precision needle that has a slanted tip. Have something chunkier? There’s an oversized needle for that, too.
Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 1.7 ounces
Ofargo Meat Injector Syringe Kits | Our Point Of View
FAQ
What is a turkey injector called?
In order to reach the deepest parts of the turkey, you need a special tool called a meat injector. A meat injector is basically a hypodermic needle with a large gauge needle.
How to season turkey without an injector?
no injector?: if you have no injector that really is not a problem. all you need to do is add the brandy and sage to the herb seasoning mix. make it into a paste rub it under the skin of the turkey and wrap it and let it sit in the fridge overnight.
What tool is used to inject a turkey?
Turkey Injection Tools
The tools you need are simple: a meat injector (you can find these online or at your local grocery store near the holidays), a tray to catch any spillage, a mixing bowl or measuring cup to prep your marinade in, and paper towels.
Does injecting a turkey make it juicier?
Inject the marinade mixture into numerous spots throughout the meat’s top, bottom, and sides. The more injections you make in the turkey, the juicier the bird.
What is the best meat injector for poultry turkeys?
BBQ Meat Marinade Injector Syringe for Poultry Turke Anself 304 Stainless Meat Injector with 3 Needles St . TureClos Marinade Injector Flavor Syringe Cooking Me
How do you inject a turkey breast with a meat injector?
Ensure you have a cap on the end of the meat injector so when you pour the liquid in, it doesn’t run straight out. Fill the injector and place the plunger on top. Inject Turkey: For best results, make 3 injections across the breast. Do this by inserting the meat injector firmly in the turkey breast.
What is the best meat injector kit?
Meat Injector Kit,Food Grade Stainless Steel,Easy To . Professional BBQ Master Cook Meat Marinade Flavor In Cefrank Meat Injector Marinades 2 oz Stainless Ste Cusimax Marinade Injector Flavor Syringe Cooking Mea Stainless Steel Meat Injector Syringe with 3 Marinad .
Can you use a spitjack injector as a Turkey injector?
A spitjack injector can be used as a turkey injector, but keep in mind that the white meat of the turkey is the part that benefits most from injecting. When the white meat is starting to be used more frequently, you might want to consider checking our spitjack injector review.
Where can you inject a Turkey?
When injecting a turkey, there are a few different places you can inject it. The biggest muscle in the bird is the breast, so this is usually the first place that people inject. However, other areas such as the thigh can also be injected.
Should you use a meat injector before cooking a Turkey?
One nice thing about injecting a turkey is that you have the option to do this right before cooking the 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!