How to Make Turkey Meat Taste Delicious

Turkey meat often gets a bad rap for being bland and dry. However, with the right techniques and flavorings, it can be just as juicy, succulent and flavorful as other types of meat. Here are some tips for making your turkey meat taste amazing.

Choose the Right Cut

Turkey breast meat is leaner than dark meat. While great for staying healthy, the lack of fat can make it dry out more easily. For moister, more flavorful options, choose cuts like turkey thighs, drumsticks or wings. Ground turkey can also have more flavor than turkey breast. Opt for 85% lean or even dark meat ground turkey.

Brine the Meat

Brining poultry before cooking infuses it with flavor and moisture. Make a simple brine by mixing 1 cup salt with 4 cups water. Submerge turkey pieces or a whole turkey breast in the solution for 30 minutes to 2 hours. Rinse and pat dry before seasoning and cooking. For added flavor, use an aromatic brine with citrus juice, herbs and spices.

Season Generously

Turkey needs bold aromatic seasoning to make it really pop. Use dried herbs like sage rosemary, thyme and oregano along with spices like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, chili powder and cumin. Fresh minced garlic, grated ginger and citrus zest also enliven flavor. Massage seasoning under the skin as well as over it. Let sit 20-30 minutes before cooking so it penetrates.

Maintain Moisture

Keep turkey moist while cooking by basting frequently with pan juices, butter broth or oil. Tenting foil over the meat while it rests also ensures it stays juicy. If roasting a whole turkey, cook stuffing separately to prevent drying. For ground turkey mix in a spoonful of olive oil per pound before shaping into patties or crumbles.

UseFlavorful Fats

Browning ground turkey in bacon fat duck fat or olive oil adds tons of flavor. Brush turkey breast with compound butter before roasting. Try ghee flavored with lemon and herbs. Marinate or rub roasted turkey with herb-infused oil. Adding richness with fats prevents dryness.

Sauce it Up

Serve turkey with flavor-packed sauces and condiments. Poultry gravy, chimichurri, pesto, barbeque sauce, teriyaki glaze and fruit chutneys all provide bold, tart, herby and savory flavors that make turkey pop. Offer a selection of sauces and let guests dress their turkey as desired.

Disguise it

Use turkey as part of flavorful composed dishes so other ingredients help disguise any blandness. Try turkey chili, turkey taco filling, turkey burgers smothered in cheese and toppings, turkey Bolognese sauce or turkey meatballs in a flavorful tomato sauce. Pairing with strongly flavored partners makes it shine.

Choose Complementary Sides

Round out the flavor of your turkey by pairing it with sides that complement it beautifully. Roasty vegetables, homemade cranberry sauce, savory wild rice pilaf and cornbread dressing help balance a roast turkey dinner. For simpler meals, serve turkey cutlets with zesty arugula salad or turkey burgers with oven fries.

Amp Up Umami

Ingredients naturally high in umami or MSG boost savoriness exponentially. Mushrooms, tomato paste, anchovies, soy sauce, Parmesan and Worcestershire sauce all confer deep, meaty flavor. Sauté mushrooms and mix in ground turkey or add Worcestershire to turkey gravy. A little goes a long way.

Get a Good Sear

Browning turkey to a rich, caramelized crust before roasting or simmering adds loads of flavor. Use a very hot pan for cutlets, patties and parts. Sear whole breast and legs first on all sides before transferring to a lower temp to finish cooking. The Maillard reaction produces so much depth.

Infuse Flavor Under the Skin

Loosen the skin from turkey breast or thighs by gently running your fingers between skin and meat. Rub seasoning blends, pesto, herb butter or citrus zest directly onto the meat before replacing skin. As it cooks, those flavors get infused right into the meat for extra juicy and flavored turkey.

Make a Flavorful Stuffing

An aromatic, savory stuffing provides flavor from the inside out for whole birds or turkey breast roasts. Sauté aromatics like onion, celery, mushrooms and herbs in butter or broth before mixing with bread cubes and baking inside the turkey cavity. The stuffing bastes the meat with all those flavors.

Go Herby

Fresh herbs punch up turkey’s mild flavor exponentially. Stuff whole birds or ground turkey with whole sprigs of thyme, sage and tarragon. Mix minced parsley, cilantro, basil, dill and chives into ground meat. Make compound butters with herbs to top turkey. Herbal flavors really make it shine.

Consider Smoking

Smoking infuses turkey with the most amazing depth and savoriness. Brine turkey first for extra moisture, then smoke for 1-2 hours with wood chips. Apple, cherry, hickory and mesquite wood provide great flavor. Finish cooking in the oven. Smoked turkey is fantastic in salads, sandwiches and more.

Make Turkey Bacon

Wrap turkey breast cutlets or thin turkey breast slices in bacon secured with toothpicks before roasting or grilling. The render bacon fat continually bastes the turkey, making it super moist and imparting a hint of smokiness. Kids love the fun factor too. It’s like meat candy.

Go Crazy with Coatings

Coat turkey pieces in boldly flavored mixtures before frying or baking for flavor packed on the outside. Try Japanese panko breadcrumbs or cornflake coating for crunch.MixIn herbs, spices, citrus zest, Parmesan and blackening seasoning for extra zingy flavors. The coating adds so much.

Add Acid

Splash turkey with acidic ingredients while cooking to brighten and balance the meat’s flavor. Deglaze the pan with wine, sherry vinegar or lemon juice after browning. Mix tart yogurt or citrus juice into ground turkey. Stir tomato salsa, pickled vegetables or vinegar slaws into shredded turkey. Acid makes it shine.

Choose Creative Marinades

Soaking turkey in a flavor-packed marinade infuses it with lots of extra taste. Yogurt marinades tenderize, while tequila, wine and vinegar marinades provide great zing. Spice pastes with garlic, ginger and chiles are sensational. Marinate a few hours or overnight before cooking.

Baste It

Continually spooning or brushing marinades, glazes and flavorful pan sauces over turkey as it cooks provides incredible flavor. Make an easy baste with melted butter, herbs and citrus juice. Baste whole birds or pieces multiple times. The basting liquid seeps into the meat, really boosting taste.

With a little creativity and a flavor-focused approach, it’s easy to make turkey meat that tastes anything but bland. Next time you cook this healthy poultry, try some of these tips for juicy,bold and delicious turkey your whole family will love. Get ready to become a turkey convert if you aren’t already.