Published on
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!
Don’t forget to check out myInstagramaccount – Or give me a follow onFacebookor see what I am pinning onPinterest!
Other Recipes You Might Like
- Turkey Marinade
- Apple Cider Turkey Brine
- Turkey Seasoning
- Homemade Turkey Stock
Turkey Injection Recipe
★★★★★5 from 3 reviews
- Author: Erin Jensen
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 3/4 cup injection liquid 1x
- Category: Turkey
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Description
Turkey Injection Recipe – a delicious turkey injection recipe that adds ton of flavor and moisture to your Thanksgiving turkey!
Ingredients
Scale
Injection Recipe:
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoon garlic, minced (or 1 smashed garlic clove)
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1–2 fresh thyme sprigs
- 1–2 fresh rosemary sprigs
- 1–2 fresh sage leaves
- 1 bay leaf
Other:
- whole turkey, turkey breast or turkey tenderloin
Instructions
- Combine ingredients in a small saucepan. Bring to medium heat and allow butter to melt. Stir to combine and let gently simmer 5-10 minutes.
- Meanwhile prepare the raw turkey: ensure it is fully thawed, let it sit out for 1 hour so it comes to room temperature, pat it dry with clean paper towel and place in a roasting pan.
- Remove from heat and strain (if there are large bits in the liquid it will clog the 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.
- Make 3 injections across 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).
- Repeat in the thigh making 2 injections holes (3 different directions within in each hole).
- If any liquid comes running out of an injections site simply rub into the turkey skin on the exterior of the turkey.
- If you have leftover injection liquid simply pour it into the bottom of the roasting pan.
- For best results inject liquid the night before cooking and leave in the refrigerator (covered) overnight.
- Feel free to cook turkey however you want afterwards: smoked, roasted, deep fried, etc.
Notes
- Garlic: feel free to use 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder instead of fresh garlic.
- Brining: you can still do this if you are also brining your turkey – just opt for a low-sodium broth and omit the extra salt.
- Duration: we recommend injecting the night before you are planning on cooking your turkey.
- Extra: if you have extra just pour it into the bottom of your roasting pan.
- Recommended Injector: this is the one I have used and liked.
- Turkey Breast: this also works if you are just doing a turkey breast (roasted or smoked) or even a turkey tenderloin!
Keywords: turkey injection recipe
The Complete Guide to Rocking Your Next Whole30!!!
Weekly meal plans, amazing coffee recipes, shopping lists, where to start.... all delivered straight to YOU!!!
Reader Interactions
Comments
Mary says
We are having our Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. I plan to do this injection…..1st time doing one. Can you do injections during the cooking process….such as when basting, do a quick injection????
Reply
Erin says
Hi Mary – nope, no need to inject again during the cooking process. Inject before cooking and then you can baste during the cooking process if you want. Let me know if you have any other questions!
Reply
Mike says
Thanks for the easy and fun take on turkey! Love mixing up the Thanksgiving options for my family
★★★★★
Reply
Erin says
So glad you liked this one!
Reply
Bridget says
Love this! Makes our Turkey so juicy, every time!
★★★★★
Reply
EH says
This was AMAZING! Juiciest turkey ever!!!
★★★★★
Reply
Leave a Rating & Comment
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
