It’s actually very easy to marinate turkey — just follow this simple recipe and take these easy steps.
There was a time I had no idea how much I’d appreciate a deliciously marinated turkey on my table. In fact, only a few short years ago I had just gotten comfortable with things like marinated steak and marinated salmon — I’m drooling just thinking about them. Because I love marinated meat, and I know you will, too, I’m happy to share a how-to guide and a marinade recipe to show you how delicious your homemade turkey can be!
I love turkey any time of the year, so I’m always prepared to make it, even if it’s not cold out. Not everyone is willing to roast a turkey in the summer, and that’s fine — it’s a known traditional holiday dinner staple, therefore many people tend to associate it with wintery months. I hardly have to mention that turkey is all but synonymous with Thanksgiving and even Christmas.
Even though we respect that many people want alternatives to turkey for Thanksgiving or want to experiment with some delicious seafood dishes for the big day, we also know that having a delicious turkey is at the top of many people’s lists. (It just so happens to be on mine all the time…)
You may be used to brining your turkey, which is a great way to prepare a juicy turkey. The bonus to marinading your turkey instead of brining it is that it adds so much extra flavor that you may miss out on by only using brine — and we’re big on flavor.
Changing your prep methods may feel daunting, but never fear! Marinating turkey requires minimal effort. Preparing a homemade marinade is quick and easy and uses surprisingly common ingredients that you may already have on hand. As an added bonus to the flavor kick you get with a marinade, you will find that your turkey will be very moist and vibrant — pure poultry perfection if I do say so myself.
Optional: If you do not have, or do not want to use, fresh herbs and spices, you can substitute with dried herbs and spices. When substituting dried herbs for fresh herbs, use only ½ the amount called for.
Other common ingredient choices for a delicious marinade on your Thanksgiving turkey or boneless turkey breast include a little lemon juice, lime juice, brown sugar, apple cider or apple cider vinegar, white wine, balsamic vinegar, or chicken broth. You can also vary the kind of salt you use, from seasoning salt to kosher salt. Heck, you can even throw in a cinnamon stick to the marinade!
Should You Marinate Turkey Overnight?
Marinating is a popular way to infuse flavor and moisture into turkey before cooking. But is it safe to soak turkey in marinade overnight? How long should you really marinate turkey? This comprehensive guide examines the pros and cons of marinating turkey overnight versus quick marinades.
What is Marinating Turkey?
Marinating involves soaking meat in a seasoned liquid before cooking The marinade permeates the turkey to make it more flavorful, tender and juicy Typical marinade ingredients include oil, acids like citrus juice or vinegar, herbs, spices, garlic, etc. Many cooks marinate turkey overnight in the refrigerator for the best infusion of flavor. But quicker marinades are also an option.
Benefits of Marinating Turkey Overnight
Allowing turkey to marinate for 8-24 hours offers several advantages:
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Deeper flavor penetration – More time allows the marinade to soak all the way into the meat. This gives much bolder flavor than a quick marinade.
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Tenderizes the meat – Acids in the marinade slightly break down proteins for a more tender texture.
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Retains moisture – The marinade seals in juices so turkey stays succulent when cooked.
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Adds versatility – Turkey can be marinated the day before for easy holiday prep and cooking.
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Works well for large birds – Whole turkeys over 12 lbs benefit from extended marinating time.
As long as food safety guidelines are followed, marinating turkey overnight poses minimal risk and yields excellent results.
How Long to Marinate Turkey?
Overnight vs Quick Marinades
The ideal marinating time depends on the size and type of turkey:
Overnight Marinades (8-24 hours)
Best for:
- Whole turkeys over 12 lbs
- Bone-in turkey parts
- Deep flavor penetration
- Advanced meal planning
Quick Marinades (30 min – 2 hours)
Best for:
- Boneless turkey breasts under 5 lbs
- Weeknight meals, hurried cooks
- Subtle flavor accent
- Last minute marinades
Turkey breasts and boneless cuts absorb flavor quickly due to more surface area. But larger whole turkeys benefit from an overnight soak.
Food Safety Tips for Marinating Overnight
To safely marinate turkey for extended time periods:
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Refrigerate at 40°F or below – Don’t marinate on the counter.
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Use fully thawed turkey – Marinade won’t penetrate frozen meat.
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Submerge turkey fully – Keep the meat completely covered in marinade.
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Marinate in a nonreactive dish – Glass, plastic or stainless steel are best. Avoid aluminum.
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Don’t reuse marinade – Use leftover marinade only for basting, not as a sauce.
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Cook within 1-2 days – Roast marinated turkey within 48 hours for food safety.
As long as these guidelines are followed, marinating overnight poses low risk to food safety.
How to Make a Simple Overnight Turkey Marinade
This easy formula makes enough marinade for a 12-14 lb turkey:
- 1 cup olive oil
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1⁄4 cup lemon juice
- 1⁄4 cup orange juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp orange zest
- 1⁄2 cup chopped parsley
- 1⁄4 cup chopped chives
- 1⁄4 cup chopped sage
- 2 Tbsp chopped rosemary
- 1⁄4 cup chopped thyme
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Whisk all ingredients together until smooth. Coat the turkey completely inside and out. Refrigerate 8-24 hours. Discard used marinade. Rinse turkey, pat dry and roast as desired.
More Creative Marinade Ideas
Mix and match these flavors to create your own signature marinade:
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Herbs – rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano, basil, cilantro
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Spices – smoked paprika, garam masala, chili powder, cumin, curry powder
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Alliums – garlic, onion, shallots, scallions
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Citrus – lemon, lime, orange juice and zest
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Vinegars – balsamic, red wine, rice wine, white wine vinegars
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Oils – olive, avocado, sesame, walnut, grapeseed
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Flavorings – capers, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, tapenade, pesto, mustard
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Sweeteners – maple syrup, honey, brown sugar
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Umami – soy sauce, fish sauce, Worcestershire sauce
Experiment with global flavors for delicious results.
Should You Marinate Turkey Parts?
Boneless turkey breasts and parts marinate quickly, so you can cut back on marinating time. Follow these guidelines:
- Boneless breast: 2-4 hours
- Legs or wings: 4-8 hours
- Thighs: 6-12 hours
Since the marinade can penetrate faster, overnight soaking isn’t necessary. But always refrigerate meat while marinating.
What If You’re Short on Time?
If you don’t have time for an overnight marinade, here are fast flavor alternatives:
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Dry brine – Rub turkey with salt, herbs and spices before roasting.
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Quick rub – Coat with a spice paste 30-60 minutes before cooking.
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Compound butter – Loosen skin and spread butter underneath.
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Herb stuffing – Stuff cavity with lemons, onions, garlic, herbs.
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Grill or smoke – Add flavor from real hardwood smoke.
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Baste while roasting – Frequently spoon over glaze or pan juices.
With smart techniques, you can infuse great flavor without a lengthy marinade time.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long can you marinate turkey?
For food safety, marinate turkey no longer than 48 hours while refrigerated. Marinating longer doesn’t improve flavor.
- Should you rinse turkey after marinating?
Yes, gently rinse off the marinade before cooking to prevent burning or smoking in the oven. Pat the skin dry for crisping.
- What’s the best marinade recipe?
Almost any blend of oil, acid, herbs and spices will work! Tailor flavors to your taste preferences.
- Can you over-marinate turkey?
No. Marinating longer than needed won’t negatively affect the turkey if it remains refrigerated.
- Should marinade be thick or thin?
Thinner marinades spread more evenly. But thicker pastes help the flavor stay on the meat better. Both work!
The Takeaway
Allowing turkey to marinate overnight in the refrigerator results in exceptionally moist, flavorful meat with little downside. Follow basic food safety practices to mitigate any risks. When time is short, quick marinades or other flavor techniques can also do the trick. With the right marinade, your holiday centerpiece turkey will impress everyone at the table.
How to Make Turkey Marinade
Measure all the ingredients above, and in a small bowl, whisk until combined.
If you prepared the mixture in advance, refrigerate it before using. Store it in a well-sealed container for up to 4 days, and be sure to shake or stir before marinating, as the ingredients will settle.
Safety tip: Do not save or reuse leftover marinade that has been exposed to raw meat.
Our turkey marinade recipe serves about 12. Check out our guide for how much turkey you should have at your dinner table, depending on your amount of guests. We also thought ahead for all aspects of your Thanksgiving meal with our complete Thanksgiving dinner portion planner guide, which takes all the guesswork out of planning what, and how much, to make for the big day.
How to Marinade Turkey
Timing is everything! Before you begin this process, be sure to follow our helpful guide to determine how long it takes to defrost a turkey. A turkey can only be marinated if it is raw or fully thawed.
Place your raw or thawed turkey in a large shallow roasting pan, large rimmed baking sheet, or shallow baking dish.
Pour the marinade over the whole bird. It should cover the bottom of the roasting pan. Rub the marinade to coat the entire bird’s exterior.
For best results, loosen the skin and rub some marinade between the separated skin and the meat.
Marinating between the skin and the meat will allow for more marinade to absorb, and more flavors to transfer. This way, the turkey meat will be perfectly seasoned — and not just the skin!
Allow the turkey to rest in the marinade for up to 24 hours in the fridge. The USDA recommends allowing a turkey to marinate for 6 to 24 hours. Since we’ve already addressed how long an uncooked turkey lasts in the fridge, we recommend marinating yours for 12 hours. After all, you want your turkey to be as fresh as possible!
Before cooking, you may choose to remove any large pieces of herbs or garlic from the turkey to prevent burning during cooking. Discard marinade that’s left over.
Cook the turkey as desired and enjoy!
Tip: Learn how to marinate frozen chicken!
How to Brine a Turkey
FAQ
Should I marinate turkey the night before?
The secret to a juicy and delicious turkey is to let it soak in brine for 24 hours, then marinate it for another 24 hours. Today I’d like to share with you my favorite marinade recipe, but you can use your family’s favorite. Remember, 24 hours!
How long can you marinate a turkey in the refrigerator?
Poultry can be refrigerated for up to 2 days in a marinade.
Should I soak my turkey overnight?
- Benefits: Brining helps keep the turkey moist and flavorful by drawing salt into the meat fibers.
- Timeframe: Ideally, brine your turkey for 12-24 hours, which usually means soaking it overnight.
- Storage: Keep the brined turkey covered and refrigerated while soaking.
Can You marinate Turkey overnight?
Yes, you can marinate turkey overnight. Marinating is a great way to add flavor and moisture to turkey, and it can also help to tenderize the meat. When marinating turkey, it is important to use a flavorful marinade that will complement the turkey’s natural flavor. Some good options for marinades include:
How long does it take to marinate a Turkey?
Overnight marinades allow 8-24 hours for the turkey to soak. Quick marinades work in just 30 minutes to 2 hours. Overnight turkey marinades are best for: Quick turkey marinades are best for: To safely marinate turkey for extended periods: Use the refrigerator. Marinate turkey in the fridge at 40°F or below. Don’t marinate at room temperature.
Can You marinate a white meat turkey?
Herb marinades are a good choice for both dark and white meat turkeys. * Spice marinades: Spice marinades are a great way to add heat and depth of flavor to turkey. Spice marinades are a good choice for both dark and white meat turkeys. Preparing the Turkey Before you marinate the turkey, you’ll need to prepare it by cleaning and cutting it.
How do you marinate a 12 lb Turkey?
This basic formula makes enough marinade for a 12-14 lb turkey: Whisk ingredients together until smooth. Coat turkey inside and out. Refrigerate 8-24 hours. Discard used marinade. Pat turkey dry and roast as desired. For an Italian-herb marinade: Use basil, oregano, rosemary, garlic, olive oil, lemon, pepper, and red wine vinegar.
Does marinating a Turkey add flavor?
* Flavor: Marinating adds flavor to turkey by infusing the meat with the flavors of the marinade. marinating a turkey overnight is a great way to add flavor and moisture to the meat. The process is simple and can be done with a variety of ingredients, including your favorite herbs, spices, and sauces.
How do you marinate a Turkey in a bag?
Then, put the turkey inside the inner bag and pour in the marinade. Seal the bags, pressing out as much air as possible, and turn them once or twice to coat the turkey. Place the bags in a shallow roasting pan. Refrigerate the bird overnight, turning the bag a few times to evenly distribute the marinade.