5 Turkey Injection Marinades

Condiments and Sauces

Recipe courtesy of Louisiana Kitchen & Culture magazine

Makes enough for 1 large turkey

Ingredients:

Beer n' Butter Poultry Injection

1/2 pound butter
1/2 can beer
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons Tabasco
1 tablespoon soy sauce
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons onion powder

Savory Turkey Injection

1/4 cup light oil
1/4 cup water
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon salt
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons onion powder
1 teaspoon ground bay leaf
1 teaspoon ground thyme
1 teaspoon ground sage
1 teaspoon finely ground black pepper

Cajun Turkey Injection

1 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup liquid crab boil
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 tablespoons onion powder
2 tablespoons garlic powder
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
1 teaspoon Tabasco
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Hot and Spicy Injection

1 cup chicken broth
4 tablespoons Louisiana hot sauce
3 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper

Italian Herb Injection

3/4 cup olive oil
3/4 cup red wine
1 tablespoon Italian Seasonings
2 tablespoons dried basil
2 tablespoons dried oregano
2 tablespoons dried rosemary
2 tablespoons dried thyme
2 tablespoons dried sage
2 tablespoons dried marjoram
2 tablespoons savory
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon black pepper

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Method:

Beer n' Butter Poultry Injection

Use this injection marinade to reach deep into the meat of poultry. It works really well on turkey. Make sure the mixture is warm to keep the butter in liquid form. Combine all ingredients in a sauce pan over a low heat. Stir and heat until salt is dissolved and the sauce is even and runny. Keep warm (but not hot) to inject.

Savory Turkey Injection

This is a flavorful injection marinade for turkey. Remember to get it spread out evenly so you don't end up with pockets of the marinade in the meat. Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and simmer for a few minutes while stirring. You want to make sure the mixture is well mixed and that any herb is small enough to fit through your needle.

Cajun Turkey Injection

This is the classic solution injected into the meat of turkeys which are fried Cajun style. By getting the flavors inside the meat you won't have to worry about the hot oil washing them off. Make sure you distribute the injection evenly so you don't get large pockets of the mixture. Combine all ingredients in a saucepan. Heat until butter is melted. Stir and continue heating until sauce is very liquefied. Inject while still hot enough to stay liquid.

Hot and Spicy Injection

This injection marinade adds real heat under the skin of any poultry. If you want a little fire in your bird this is a great sauce to use. Make sure you only put small amounts in each place end up with large pockets of hot sauce.

Combine all ingredients and stir until the salt dissolves.

Italian Herb Injection

Lots of injection marinades are built around Italian flavors. This one is mild in heat, but rich in herb flavors. Make sure that your herbs are finely ground. If you need to run it through a spice grinder or mortal and pestle. Combine all ingredients and mix well. This marinade will settle so you need to give it a stir every time you reload the needle.

Note: If you are using a needle injector you may have to use a coffee or spice grinder to make sure all dry herbs are fine enough to fit through the needle. You can find injectors in the appliance section of any large grocery.