Last Updated on April 5, 2023 by Ellen Christian
Wondering how to inject flavor in a turkey? Find out how to inject a turkey to keep it moist and full of flavor with these simple tips.
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How to Inject Flavor in a Turkey
One of the biggest challenges I face when preparing a turkey is keeping it moist and full of flavor. I always worry about how the turkey comes out when we have people over for Thanksgiving. After all, the turkey is the centerpiece of the entire Thanksgiving dinner.
And, you want moist flavorful turkey to use in your leftover recipes. Have you tried this Thanksgiving leftover sandwich yet?
My leftover turkey casserole recipe tastes so much better when you have a turkey that’s full of flavor. Try this recipe to use up turkey after the holidays.
I would feel horrible if my turkey came out dry and tasteless. One of the ways that people add flavor to their Thanksgiving turkey is by using a traditional spice or meat rubs.
Print out this Thanksgiving coloring page for the kids to color while you cook.
While this does add flavor to the turkey, it does nothing to help the turkey stay moist. But, my method shows you how to inject a turkey with flavor to keep it moist.
Once you learn how to inject flavor in a turkey, you will take care of adding flavor and retaining moisture in one easy step.
Using a flavor injector lets you get the flavor deep into the turkey meat itself instead of just on the surface with a spice rub.
A flavor injector is basically a syringe with a needle attached to one end. There are holes in the last portion of the needle that allows the flavoring to be released into the turkey meat.
What do you inject into a turkey?
There are many different liquids you can use to inject flavor into a turkey. The important thing to remember is that any liquid you put into the plastic plunger tube must be strained so that it is a clear liquid.
Little pieces of herbs, pulp from citrus juice, etc. will clog up the syringe and not allow the liquid to pass through. If you want to use something that is not completely clear, make sure that you strain it through cheesecloth before you put it in the plastic plunger tube.
You can inject flavor into a whole turkey or into turkey breasts depending on what you’re cooking. The process is the same. Fill the plunger with the liquid.
How long before cooking do you inject a turkey?
You can inject the turkey up to 36 hours in advance of when you cook it. But, you should let the turkey sit for at least 12 hours after injecting flavor.
This allows the flavors a chance to penetrate the turkey meat. Always let the turkey marinate in the refrigerator.
This is my secret tool for getting all that flavor deep into your turkey – Good Cook Flavor Injector.
Is it better to brine or inject a turkey?
I prefer turkey after injecting it with fruit juice. But, you could brine the turkey if you prefer. I think it’s a lot easier to inject flavor in a turkey.
How do you inject a turkey without a injector?
It’s a lot easier to use an injector, but you can inject a turkey without one. Simply take a fork and poke holes into the skin of your turkey.
Then, place the turkey in a large foodservice bag and pour the marinade over it. Seal the bag and allow the turkey to marinate overnight in the refrigerator.
How to fry a turkey?
If you’re wondering how to fry a turkey, you’ll have to check out the instructions on The Food Network. It’s not something I’ve ever tried, but I’d love to one day. I do think that injecting flavor in a turkey is easier.
Place the turkey or turkey breasts into a roasting pan.
Place your clear liquid in a bowl. Draw the liquid into the syringe by lowering the plunger and then drawing it out slowly.
Ideally, you should spread the liquid throughout the meat using as few puncture holes as possible.
Inject the syringe into the turkey breast and release a bit of the liquid.
Pull the needle out slightly but not completely from the hole. And, continue injecting flavor at different angles from the same hole. Repeat on the other side of the breast.
If you are doing a whole bird, repeat this step in the legs and thighs.
Cover the bird and refrigerate for at least twelve hours to allow the liquid to flavor through the layers of meat. Cook per package instructions.
I use the Good Cook Poultry Timers to tell me when it’s done.
Now that you know how to inject flavor in a turkey, you may want to learn how to marinate chicken with yogurt. Or, if you have leftovers, try these stuffing muffin cups.
Or, check out this recipe that uses turkey sausage. If you’re concerned about your heart healthy, check out these heart-healthy Thanksgiving tips.
Related Reading
If you’re having roast beef this year, check out the best roast beef for sandwiches.
How to Inject Flavor in a Turkey to Keep it Moist and Flavorful
How to inject flavor in a turkey to keep it moist and flavor. Learn how to inject a turkey with these tips.
Ingredients
- 1 turkey
- 1 cup of orange juice, broth or other clear liquid
Instructions
- Place the turkey or turkey breasts into a roasting pan.
- Place your clear liquid in a bowl. Draw the liquid into the syringe by lowering the plunger and then drawing it out slowly. Ideally, you should spread the liquid throughout the turkey using as few puncture holes as possible.
- Inject the syringe into the turkey breast and release a bit of the liquid.
- Pull the needle out slightly but not completely from the hole. And, continue injecting flavor at different angles from the same hole. Repeat on the other side of the breast. If you are doing a whole turkey, repeat this step in the legs and thighs.
- Cover the turkey and refrigerate for at least twelve hours to allow the liquid to flavor through the layers of meat. Cook per package instructions.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1 cupAmount Per Serving: Calories: 43Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 63mgCarbohydrates: 6gFiber: 0gSugar: 4gProtein: 3g
Ellen is a busy mom of a 24-year-old son and 29-year-old daughter. She owns six blogs and is addicted to social media. She believes that it doesn’t have to be difficult to lead a healthy life. She shares simple healthy living tips to show busy women how to lead fulfilling lives. If you’d like to work together, email info@confessionsofanover-workedmom.com to chat.
Can you inject a turkey after it’s been cooking?
If it is still early in the cooking process you can yes.
Can you inject a turkey & leave in oven bag overnight
Hi – You can inject the turkey up to 36 hours in advance. But, please keep it in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook it. Enjoy!
can you refridgeate in oven bag after injecting
It should not matter if it is in an oven bag or simply in the roasting pan. Thanks for stopping by!
Question? I have been brining my turkey for 24 hours now & we’re wanting to inject it too but you mentioned to inject it 12 hours before we cook(smoke) it. I’m planning on injecting it first thing in the morning while I let it dry out before we smoke it? Will that be plenty of time to let the injection sink in?
Hi – It should be enough time. Just don’t overcook it. The flavor will improve the longer it sits.
Do you stuff the inside of the turkey or put a rub on the outside too?
Hi – You can certainly stuff the turkey if you like. I would not put a rub on after you inject it or you might push out the juice. But, if you want to put a rub on before, you can do that as well.
Should I rely on the pop up temp thingy for doneness?
Hi Mary – I do, yes.
We always used to brine our turkeys. Last year we brined two and injected one. Everyone thought the injected turkey was the best: both more flavorful and more moist. This year we are injecting all three.
I really love the way turn out this way!
Hi Ellen – I just want to let you know that I included it in my List of Fabulous Finds on my blog today … today’s finds are links to recipes for a completely fabulous Thanksgiving feast. I can’t wait to serve turkey made like this!
Thanks so much, Susan! Heading there now!
Love the blog name! I can relate! Back to the turkey…I have to admit this peaks my curiosity on how an injected turkey would taste. I’ll have to give it a go this year! Thanks for sharing.
Glad to share, Melissa. Hope you enjoy it!
I tried this with a chicken 2 years ago and the juice was squirting out into my oven. It almost started a grease fire. Any suggestions?
I’m willing to try it with my turkey this year. Thanks.
Best suggestion is to use less juice in more holes. Hope it helps!
That looks delicious! Maybe I shouldn’t be so lazy and actually cook once in a while!
LOL I love to cook but it can be a lot of work too!
It’s hit or miss if my turkey will be dry or not. I’m hoping this will be a hit this year. Thank you for this information.
I have never injected a turkey before but I’m all for giving it a shot! Yours turned out beautiful.
What a great idea. My turkey always tastes a little bland.
Interesting! I’ll have to bookmark this for closer to Thanksgiving! THANKS!
Wow, that looks very easy! Just in time for the Thanksgiving turkey!
I’ve never cooked a Thanksgiving turkey before and wouldn’t have even thought about injecting flavor into it. Thanks for the tips!
I’m not usually the one baking our Thanksgiving turkey, at least not at this point in my life, but I’m going to give this a try the next time I bake a chicken.
That does look yummy!! I’ve never injected flavor into any meat but this sounds easy.
I never would have known how to do that! Thank you for sharing!!
Very good to know! I have never made a turkey yet, so I need the tips!!
Wow, I have never thought of injecting flavor into the turkey. That is a great tip.
I’ve never tried to do that before, but then again, I usually hand that job over to someone else and do the baking part of it!
Great way to make the turkey even better!
I bet the turkey came out soooo juicy. Looks wonderful! I’ll have to try injecting my Thanksgiving turkey.
I have never injected anything into my turkey before, but I might just have to give it a try this year.
This vegetarian has trouble with that whole concept, but her family loves it!!
Great tips for sure! We are doing ham this year, but we always inject like this when we do a turkey, it helps a lot!
Thanks for the tip. I might actually attempt a turkey this year. LOL I am always scared of cooking one, so I just cook a ham. But you make it look easy!
i have never tried doing this before but I bet it gives quite a nice flavor!
Your post is perfect timing as we are going to be on our own this year to make a turkey.
That does look really yummy! We always brine our turkey.
PERFECT TIMING.
this is the first year in EONS we arent letting whole foods do all the work 😉