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Turkey Injection Marinade

This injection marinade transforms your turkey by infusing flavor deep into the meat for an incredibly moist and delicious holiday dish.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 1 12 to 16 pound turkey
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 45

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 1 cup chicken broth or beef broth for deeper flavor
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional, for heat
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Equipment

  • Meat injector with multiple needle sizes
  • Small saucepan
  • Whisk or fork
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Fine-mesh strainer
  • Small bowl for mixing
  • Paper towels

Method
 

  1. Pour 1 cup chicken broth into a small saucepan and add 4 tablespoons unsalted butter. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the butter melts completely and the mixture is warm but not boiling.
  2. While the broth heats, combine 2 tablespoons kosher salt, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 2 teaspoons onion powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves in a small bowl. Whisk them together until fully blended and no lumps remain.
  3. Pour the dry seasoning mixture into the warm broth and whisk vigorously for about one minute. Make sure all the spices dissolve completely and the mixture looks uniform in color.
  4. Pour the marinade through a fine-mesh strainer into a clean bowl, pressing gently with the back of a spoon to extract all liquid.
  5. Let the strained marinade cool to room temperature, which takes about 10 to 15 minutes.
  6. Remove your turkey from the refrigerator and let it sit for 15 minutes. Fill your meat injector with the cooled marinade.
  7. Start with the turkey breast, inserting the needle at a 45-degree angle into the thickest part of the meat. Inject about 1 tablespoon of marinade, then pull the needle back halfway and inject again at a slightly different angle.
  8. Move to the thighs and drumsticks, injecting about 1 tablespoon of marinade into the thickest part of each thigh.
  9. Insert the needle into the thickest part of each wing and inject about 1/2 tablespoon of marinade per wing.
  10. Place the injected turkey on a roasting pan and let it sit at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes before cooking.

Notes

Inject your turkey the night before roasting for maximum flavor development.