Savory Turkey Injection Marinade

Injecting a turkey with a savory herb marinade adds flavor and tenderizes the meat from the inside. This simple recipe is loaded with the taste of bay leaf, thyme, sage, and garlic. It's a fantastic herb blend for your Thanksgiving turkey and sure to complement any side dishes served at the feast.

You will need a meat injector to use this turkey marinade. The large syringe has a broad tip that allows ingredients to pass through. However, the secret with an injection marinade is to ensure that the marinade is well mixed and that the herbs are fine enough to fit through the needle without clogging. Use a spice grinder to pulverize the dried bay, sage, and thyme leaves into a fine powder to ensure that happens. Also, be sure to use a fine setting on your pepper grinder.

The herbs and spices are simmered with oil, water, and Worcestershire sauce, and the mix is cooled to form a flavorful marinade. Once it's in the syringe, inject a couple of teaspoons into several locations all around the prepped turkey. Make sure the needle goes into the meat but not to the other side.

The herbal injection can be paired with turkey rubs and marinades if you also want to flavor the outside of the bird. Try to repeat this marinade's herbs, so you don't get any super contrasty flavors. You can also use it with a previously brined turkey but will want to eliminate the marinade's salt. When you're ready to cook, choose your favorite method. Roast the turkey or try frying, grilling, or smoking it; there's no need to adjust the usual cooking time.