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4.3 from 21 votes

Turkey Injection Recipe

This simple recipe for turkey injection marinade adds moisture, juiciness and deliciousness to your Thanksgiving turkey! This simple addition only requires a few minutes of prep and helps transform otherwise bland turkey breast.

Prep Time
10 mins
Total Time
10 mins
Servings: 1 Batch
Calories: 488 kcal
Course: Main Course , Condiments
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • ½ cup apple cider or chicken broth
  • ¼ cup melted butter or avocado oil
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp sea salt

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Remove the turkey from its packaging and transfer it to a large roasting pan (ideally the same roaster you plan to use to roast the turkey). Pat turkey dry using paper towels. Reach into the turkey cavity and pull out the neck and giblets. Set them aside to cook separately or discard them.
  2. Place the butter in a microwave safe bowl and microwave it for 30-60 seconds, or until it is completely melted.
  3. Immediately mix in the apple cider, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning and sea salt until everything is well combined. Note: if you wait too long to mix and inject, the butter may start to harden so try to work quickly. An alternative is to use avocado oil or olive oil instead of melted butter, which buys you all the time in the world.
  4. Fill the meat injector with the fluid using the instructions specific to your injector. Some injectors are loaded through the top whereas some suck the injection liquid through the hole of the injector needle.
  5. Insert the needle into the turkey and press on the handle to release a small amount of liquid, about 1 to 2 teaspoons per injection site. Continue injecting many areas in the breast as well as the whole turkey, focusing most of your attention on the white meat areas. Insert the needle in different directions to get those great flavors everywhere. Be sure to get the side of the breast as well as the top of the breast for the best flavorful turkey.
  6. Sprinkle the outside of the turkey with coarse sea salt for a dry brine since you’re already here.
  7. When you’re ready to cook the turkey, proceed with your chosen turkey recipe for seasoning the outside. You can make my Garlic Butter Roast Turkey or my Orange-Ginger Glazed.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1Batch Calories 488kcal (24%) Carbohydrates 20g (7%) Protein 1g (2%) Fat 46g (71%) Saturated Fat 29g (145%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g Monounsaturated Fat 13g Cholesterol 121mg (40%) Sodium 2361mg (98%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 15g (30%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 1Batch

Amount Per Serving

Calories 488

% Daily Value*

Serving 1Batch
Calories 488kcal 24%
Carbohydrates 20g 7%
Protein 1g 2%
Fat 46g 71%
Saturated Fat 29g 145%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g 12%
Monounsaturated Fat 13g 65%
Cholesterol 121mg 40%
Sodium 2361mg 98%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 15g 30%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.