How to Inject Turkey with Butter for Maximum Moisture and Flavor

Injecting turkey with butter is a fantastic way to keep the meat moist, tender and bursting with flavor. While roasting a turkey already infuses it with deliciousness, injecting it with butter takes it to the next level.

If you want your holiday bird or anytime turkey to have a major moisture and flavor boost, learning how to properly inject it with butter is a must. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you do it right.

Why Inject Turkey with Butter?

Injecting turkey with butter provides two major benefits:

• Moisture – Turkey can easily dry out during roasting. The butter helps keep the meat deliciously moist and juicy.

• Flavor – Butter adds rich depth and savory goodness to turkey Infusing butter throughout the meat really intensifies its taste

Butter is able to deeply penetrate the turkey when injected. Simply putting butter under the skin can’t achieve the same moisture and flavor impact.

Tips for Injecting Turkey with Butter

Follow these tips to master injecting butter into a turkey

• Use room temperature butter – This makes the butter easier to inject smoothly Cold butter is too firm and can clog the injector,

• Flavor the butter – For extra flavor, blend herbs, citrus, garlic or other seasonings into the butter before injecting. Get creative!

• Inject slowly – Injecting too quickly can cause the butter to leak back out. Take your time.

• Target the thighs and breasts – Inject butter deep into the thickest parts of the meat for best moisture.

• Refrigerate turkey after injecting – Chill the turkey for a few hours to help the butter set into the meat.

• Pat dry and roast immediately – Dry the skin thoroughly before roasting to help it crisp up. Roast right after injecting for best results.

Step-by-Step Guide to Injecting Turkey with Butter

Follow this simple step-by-step tutorial for successfully injecting a turkey with butter:

What You Need

• Turkey (thawed if frozen)
• Butter (room temperature)
• Meat injector

Prepare the Butter

Cut 1 stick (1/2 cup) of butter into chunks. Allow to come completely to room temperature. You can also melt the butter if easier.

Optional: Blend any desired herbs, citrus zest, garlic, etc. into the butter now.

Load the Injector

Transfer the butter into the injector. Insert the plunger and twist to lock it in place.

Inject the Turkey

With the needle pointed down, insert it deeply into the meatiest part of the breast. Slowly press the plunger down to inject butter as you pull the needle out.

Repeat to inject butter into thighs and other thick parts of the breast, spacing evenly. Insert parallel to the meat grain.

Chill and Roast

Place turkey in fridge for 2-6 hours to chill.

When ready to roast, pat turkey dry with paper towels. Roast immediately as desired. Baste with melted butter for added moisture and flavor.

Butter Injection Marinade Recipes

Plain melted butter adds lots of moisture and rich flavor when injected into turkey. But you can also create marvelous herb butter injection marinades for even more flavor.

Here are some tasty butter injection recipes to try:

Lemon Herb Butter

• 1 stick softened butter
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• 1⁄2 tsp salt
• 1⁄4 tsp pepper

Cajun Spiced Butter

• 1 stick softened butter
• 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1⁄2 tsp onion powder
• 1⁄2 tsp garlic powder
• 1⁄4 tsp cayenne pepper

Orange Cranberry Butter

• 1 stick softened butter
• Zest of 1 orange
• 1⁄4 cup dried cranberries, chopped
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1⁄4 tsp cinnamon
• Pinch of nutmeg

Frequently Asked Questions

How much butter should be injected?

For a 12-15 lb turkey, inject 4-8 ounces total. Spread butter evenly between breasts and thighs.

When should the turkey be injected?

Inject butter just before roasting. Chill for 2-6 hours first to allow butter to set.

What kind of meat injector should be used?

Use an injector with a sharp, thin needle to penetrate meat deeply. Large volume capacity helps speed up injecting.

Is it necessary to brine the turkey first?

Brining provides extra moisture. But injected butter adds plenty of juiciness on its own. Brining is optional.

What’s the best way to roast an injected turkey?

Roast at 325°F until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Baste with melted butter or oil during roasting.

Enjoy Perfectly Moist, Flavorful Turkey

Injecting turkey with butter keeps the meat incredibly moist, tender and saturated with richness and flavor. Follow these helpful instructions to master the turkey injection process.

Be sure to use room temperature butter and inject it slowly into the thighs and breasts. Then kick up the flavor with creative herb butter marinades.

Your holiday table or family dinners will be graced with the most mouthwateringly juicy and delicious turkey ever. Enjoy!