How Long Should You Marinate a Turkey for Maximum Flavor?

Marinating a turkey is a great way to infuse flavor and moisture into the meat before cooking. But exactly how long should you marinate a turkey to get the best results? In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about marinating time for turkey.

Why Marinate a Turkey?

There are a few key benefits to marinating turkey before cooking

• Adds flavor – Marinades are flavored liquids that impart taste into the turkey as it soaks. Common marinade ingredients like olive oil, citrus, herbs, spices, soy sauce, etc can give your turkey a delicious flavor boost.

• Keeps turkey moist – The liquid in the marinade helps keep the turkey meat from drying out as it cooks. This is especially helpful for leaner cuts like turkey breast.

• Tenderizes the meat – Marinating actually helps break down some of the proteins in the turkey, resulting in a more tender finished product.

So marinating is a simple way to end up with a juicy, flavorful turkey with very little effort. But how long should you marinate to get the full effects?

How Long to Marinate a Turkey

The ideal marinating time for a whole turkey is 12-24 hours. Any less than 12 hours and the flavors may not fully penetrate into the thick turkey meat. More than 24 hours runs the risk of the turkey becoming too soft or getting an off-flavor from the marinade.

Here are some more specific marinating times based on the cut of turkey:

• Whole turkey: 12-24 hours
• Turkey breasts: 4-8 hours
• Turkey tenderloins: 2-4 hours
• Boneless turkey cutlets or slices: 1-2 hours

Keep in mind these times can vary a bit depending on the strength of the marinade. Stronger more highly seasoned marinades may get the job done faster.

Tips for Marinating Turkey

Here are some tips to follow for perfectly marinated turkey every time:

• Use a nonreactive container – Glass, stainless steel or plastic work best. Avoid reactive metals like aluminum.

• Submerge the turkey – The turkey should be completely covered by the marinade Use a sealable plastic bag or container.

• Marinate in the fridge – Keep the turkey chilled at 40°F or below as it marinates. Don’t leave it out on the counter.

• Discard used marinade – Don’t reuse any marinade that has touched raw turkey. It can contain bacteria.

• Pat turkey dry – Remove the turkey from the marinade and pat dry with paper towels before cooking.

• Use a thermometer – Cook the turkey to an internal temperature of 165°F to destroy any bacteria.

And those are the basics for marinating turkey success! Just choose a well-balanced marinade and allow the turkey to soak for 12-24 hours before cooking.

Choosing a Marinade for Turkey

You can buy premade marinades from the grocery store or easily whip up your own using pantry ingredients. Here are some tasty marinade ideas to try:

Herb Marinades

Fresh or dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, sage impart wonderful flavor into turkey. Try this herb marinade combination:

• 1⁄4 cup olive oil
• 1⁄4 cup lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 2 teaspoons dried rosemary
• 1 teaspoon dried sage

Citrus Marinades

Bright citrus flavors from lemon, lime, orange pair perfectly with turkey. Make a citrus marinade with:

• 1⁄2 cup olive oil
• 1⁄4 cup lemon juice
• 1⁄4 cup lime juice
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Zest of 1 lime
• Zest of 1 orange
• 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt

Soy Sauce and Ginger

For an Asian-inspired turkey marinade, combine:

• 1⁄2 cup soy sauce
• 1⁄4 cup olive oil
• 3 tablespoons minced ginger
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Wine or Beer Based

For a more robust flavor, use wine or beer as the base:

• 1 cup red or white wine
• 1⁄4 cup olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

Spice Rub Marinades

Dry spice rubs come alive when mixed into oil. Try cumin, chili powder, paprika, curry powder, dry mustard, etc.

• 1⁄2 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoons cumin
• 1 tablespoon curry powder
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Experiment with different herb and spice combos to find your favorite marinade flavor!

FAQs About Marinating Turkey

Here are answers to some common questions about marinating turkey:

Can you marinate a frozen turkey?

It’s best to thaw the turkey before marinating. A marinade can’t penetrate into frozen turkey.

Should you marinate turkey overnight?

Yes, marinating a turkey overnight (12-24 hours) allows the flavor to really soak into the meat.

Can you over marinate turkey?

It is possible to over marinate. More than 24-36 hours can make the turkey too soft and mushy.

Can you bake turkey in the marinade?

It’s not recommended. The sugars in the marinade can burn. Remove it from the marinade before roasting.

Should you marinate turkey breast?

Absolutely! Marinating is great for lean breast meat. Reduce marinade time to 4-8 hours.

Can you grill marinated turkey?

Yes, marinating adds great flavor for grilled turkey. Grill over medium heat, monitoring temperature.

Get Your Turkey Marinating!

Now that you know how long to marinate a turkey and turkey breast for maximum flavor impact, it’s time to get marinating! With the simple tips above, you’ll be ready to make your best marinated turkey yet. From herb marinades to citrus to Asian and more – the possibilities are endless. Happy marinating!