How to Inject Flavor in a Turkey to Keep it Moist

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 for Thanksgiving #Thanksgiving #Turkeyrecipe #turkey #cookingtips

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.

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.

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.

oranges and a juicer

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.

turkey in the oven

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.

a brine solution for turkey

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.

Injecting flavor into a turkey breast to keep it moist

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.

a raw turkey sitting in a roasting pan on the table

Place the turkey or turkey breasts into a roasting pan.

drawing liquid into a flavor injector near a whole turkey

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.

how to inject a turkey with liquid and seasonings

Inject the syringe into the turkey breast and release a bit of the liquid.

Raw turkey in a pan with a pop up timer

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.

baked turkey in a pan after flavor has been injected

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.

baked turkey on a plate that has had flavor injected

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.

How to Inject Flavor in a Turkey to Keep it Moist and Flavorful

Related Reading

If you’re having roast beef this year, check out the best roast beef for sandwiches.

Yield: 6

How to Inject Flavor in a Turkey to Keep it Moist and Flavorful

How to inject flavor in a turkey #goodcookcom #goodcookkitchenexperts #sponsored

How to inject flavor in a turkey to keep it moist and flavor. Learn how to inject a turkey with these tips.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 minutes
Total Time 19 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 turkey
  • 1 cup of orange juice, broth or other clear liquid

Instructions

  1. Place the turkey or turkey breasts into a roasting pan.How to inject flavor in a turkey #goodcookcom #goodcookkitchenexperts #sponsored
  2. 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.How to inject flavor in a turkey #goodcookcom #goodcookkitchenexperts #sponsored
  3. Inject the syringe into the turkey breast and release a bit of the liquid.How to inject flavor in a turkey #goodcookcom #goodcookkitchenexperts #sponsored
  4. 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.How to inject flavor in a turkey #goodcookcom #goodcookkitchenexperts #sponsored
  5. 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.How to inject flavor in a turkey #goodcookcom #goodcookkitchenexperts #sponsored

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1 cup

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 43Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 63mgCarbohydrates: 6gFiber: 0gSugar: 4gProtein: 3g

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44 thoughts on “How to Inject Flavor in a Turkey to Keep it Moist”

  1. 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?

    Reply
    • 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.

      Reply
  2. 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.

    Reply
  3. 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!

    Reply
  4. 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.

    Reply
  5. 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.

    Reply
  6. I’ve never cooked a Thanksgiving turkey before and wouldn’t have even thought about injecting flavor into it.  Thanks for the tips!

    Reply
  7. 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.

    Reply
  8. 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!

    Reply
  9. 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!

    Reply

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