Thanksgiving Turkey Injection Recipe (2024)

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This delicious Thanksgiving turkey injection recipe is great for a whole turkey or turkey breast.

Your turkey will be the juiciest bird and have the most flavorful meat when you use this combination of butter and stock mixture.

Save yourself from dry turkey with this injection mix!

Thanksgiving Turkey Injection Recipe (1)
Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • What to Serve with Thanksgiving Turkey
  • Storage
  • Tips for Making this Recipe
  • Thanksgiving Turkey Injection Recipe

This injectable marinade has loads of flavor. It's lightly spicy and very savory. This is the best way to easily make a juicy bird and have tender turkey meat.

Ingredients

Here's what you'll need to make this cajun turkey injection recipe.

Thanksgiving Turkey Injection Recipe (2)
  • Unsalted Butter
  • Chicken Broth or Chicken Stock
  • Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
  • Olive Oil (doesn't need to be Extra Virgin Olive Oil)
  • Paprika
  • Garlic Powder
  • Onion Powder
  • Kosher Salt
  • CayennePepper
  • Dried Oregano
  • Dried Thyme
  • Ground Black Pepper

See the recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Here's how to make the best turkey injection recipe!

Combine the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, cayenne, oregano, thyme, and black pepper in a spice grinder or mortar and pestle. Blend till dried herbs have broken down and are a powder.

Combine the melted butter, chicken stock, lemon juice, and olive oil in a large bottle or bowl. Stir to combine.

Thanksgiving Turkey Injection Recipe (3)

Add in the blended spices and stir again to combine.

Thanksgiving Turkey Injection Recipe (4)

If the butter mixture starts to harden, microwave it for 30 seconds and whisk it briskly.

Place your turkey on a roasting pan or on a rimmed baking sheet with a rack. Use a paper towel to pat dry the surface of the turkey.

Use a meat injector or large syringe to suck up part of the injection sauce and carefully inject the turkey, at different angles.

Thanksgiving Turkey Injection Recipe (5)

Use the injection across the whole turkey, but make sure to use most of it in the turkey breast (don't forget the side of the breast) as that tends to be the driest area.

Thanksgiving Turkey Injection Recipe (6)

Cover the turkey with aluminum foil and allow it to rest in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours and up to 24 hours if possible.

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Season the skin of the turkey with salt and pepper or compound butter. Use 1 stick of butter and 1 tablespoon of cajun seasoning or creole seasoning (you can use hot sauce or Worcestershire sauce as well if you'd like) to make the compound butter.

Roast the injected turkey at 350 degrees F for 13 minutes per pound of turkey, until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer.

Thanksgiving Turkey Injection Recipe (8)

Top with fresh herbs if you'd like and allow to rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

What to Serve with Thanksgiving Turkey

Want some great sides for your turkey recipe? Try some of our favorite Healthy Thanksgiving Sides or these tasty dishes.

  • Healthy Mashed Sweet Potatoes - these tasty sweet potatoes are super savory.
  • Honey Roasted Baby Carrots - a fantastic simple side dish with a honey garlic marinade.
  • Roasted Carnival Squash - the best winter squash side dish.
  • Brussels Sprouts Kale Salad - shaved Brussels sprouts, kale, apples, and toast nuts combine to make the tastiest of salads.

Storage

You can store this injection sauce for up to 6 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

You'll need to microwave for 45 seconds to a minute or heat it on the stovetop to return it to liquid form before using.

Tips for Making this Recipe

Links on some posts are affiliate links and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Cooking Tips - Be sure to allow at least 4 hours for your bird to rest in the refrigerator after injecting it. This allows the injection sauce time to marinate the meat.

Recommended Tools - You'll need a meat injector for this recipe. Be sure to read the reviews of them, as some of them can be a little finicky.

If you try this recipe, let us know! Connect with us on Instagram and share your photos or leave us a rating.

Yield: 2 cups (enough for 1 large turkey)

Thanksgiving Turkey Injection Recipe

Thanksgiving Turkey Injection Recipe (9)

This delicious butter, stock, and spice combination can be injected into your turkey for a savory and succulent bird.

Prep Time10 minutes

Additional Time4 hours

Total Time4 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ cup butter, melted
  • ½ cup chicken stock or broth
  • ¼ cup lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

  1. Combine the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, cayenne, oregano, thyme, and black pepper in a spice grinder or mortar and pestle. Blend till dried herbs have broken down and are a powder.
  2. Combine the melted butter, chicken stock, lemon juice, and olive oil in a large bottle or bowl. Stir to combine.Add in the blended spices and stir again to combine.
  3. If the butter mixture starts to harden, microwave it for 30 seconds and whisk it briskly.
  4. Place your turkey on a roasting pan or on a rimmed baking sheet with a rack.
  5. Use a meat injector to suck up part of the injection sauce and carefully inject the turkey. Use the injection across the whole turkey, but make sure to use most of it in the turkey breast, as that tends to be the driest area.
  6. Cover the turkey with aluminum foil and allow it to rest in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours and up to 24 hours if possible.
  7. Season the turkey with salt and pepper or compound butter.*
  8. Roast the turkey at 350 degrees F for 13 minutes per pound of turkey, until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer.

Notes

*Use 1 stick of butter and 1 tablespoon of cajun seasoning to make the compound butter.

Thanksgiving Turkey Injection Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Should I inject my turkey the night before? ›

Remember to use injection marinades several hours before you start cooking the turkey. The earlier the meat is injected before roasting, the better the flavor will be in the end.

Does injecting a turkey make it juicier? ›

One effective way to season your turkey prior to cooking is by injecting it with a marinade. The result is a juicy and flavorful meal! Keep reading to learn more about how to inject a turkey with marinade, and why you should try it.

What is 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? ›

Fill a meat injector syringe with the turkey marinade. With the turkey resting in a large pot, baking pan, or marinade bag, inject 1–2 teaspoons of the marinade into several spots throughout the body of the turkey. Aim to make about 12–15 injections.

Can you over brine a turkey? ›

Brining for too long can result in meat that tastes overly-salty and has a spongy texture. If you're not ready to roast the bird after 18 hours, remove it from the brine, rinse it, pat it dry, and refrigerate for up to two days.

Is it OK to prep the turkey the night before? ›

It's easy: Simply cook it a day or two in advance, let it cool completely, then carve the bird into large pieces—breasts, wings, thighs and drumsticks. Store in a container in the refrigerator until the big day. This method actually result in juicier meat—and an infinitely more relaxed host.

When should you inject turkey with butter? ›

Inject the turkey with the butter turkey injection before cooking, then baste the turkey on the outside with the same mixture throughout the cooking process for best results – do not inject it while it is cooking.

When to inject turkey before frying? ›

I recommend injecting the turkey the night before you plan to fry, but it can be done as soon as one hour in advance. I've found that the flavor is more intense if you allow it to set overnight in the fridge.

Does cooking a turkey breast down make it juicier? ›

Cooking a turkey upside down allows the juices to trickle down during the roasting process for extra moist and juicy breast meat. Plus, since the dark meat is closer to the heat source, it cooks faster than it does with the traditional method. It's a win-win!

What is the Butterball controversy? ›

Criticism. Animal rights activists such as Mercy for Animals, the Humane Society of the United States, and PETA have accused Butterball of animal cruelty.

Should you wash your turkey before you cook it? ›

According to a study by the food safety experts at the USDA, washing or rinsing raw turkey can put you at risk of foodborne illness. There's only one time you should wash a raw turkey, and that is after brining. Otherwise, do not wash a turkey before cooking.

Is there a difference between Butterball and regular turkey? ›

Butterball turkeys are of the highest quality product and will be sure to impress your guests. Here's why Butterball is the right choice, especially for the holiday season: Butterball turkeys are always tender and juicy because we take the extra step of individually pre-brining them based on size.

What is the best shot on a turkey? ›

If your gun shoots true, you should aim at point A, at the bottom of the turkey wattles; the thick, fleshy part of the neck (a.k.a. caruncles). A portion of your shot pattern should go into both the head and neck. (Never Miss a Gobbler Again!)

What is the injection to lose weight in turkey? ›

Gastric botoks is a procedure that involves injecting botoks into the stomach muscle to relax the stomach and slow down the digestive process, leading to feelings of fullness and reduced food intake. This procedure is used as a temporary weight loss measure and is typically performed with diet and lifestyle changes.

What tool is used to inject a turkey? ›

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. Use this syringe to place small amounts (about two teaspoons per location) of sauces into thick parts of any meat before cooking.

Can you prep a turkey the night before smoking? ›

Dry-brining the bird by rubbing it with salt and refrigerating it for at least a night before cooking helps it retain juices. Low and slow heat and a good eye on the bird's temperature ensure that it stays moist.

Why shouldn't you stuff the turkey the night before? ›

Don't stuff a turkey the night before cooking it. Bacteria can multiply in the stuffing and cause foodborne illness when a stuffed bird is refrigerated. The wet and dry ingredients for the stuffing should be prepared separately and refrigerated until ready to use.

When should I inject my turkey before frying it? ›

I recommend injecting the turkey the night before you plan to fry, but it can be done as soon as one hour in advance. I've found that the flavor is more intense if you allow it to set overnight in the fridge.

When should you inject a turkey for smoking? ›

You can inject up to 36 hours before you are ready to smoke your bird. 12 hours is the minimum time, so the marinade has a chance to do its job. We say not to go past 36 hours simply because we do not want the turkey to spoil before cooking.

References

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