Cooking a Turkey is easier than ever! Follow my simple recipe for preparing and roasting a delicious and juicy Thanksgiving Turkey that will impress the whole family!
You Will Love This Turkey Injection Seasoning
This Roast Turkey recipe is made with a lemon butter injection marinade that gets deep in the turkey for moist and flavorful meat. Topped with a simple dry rub and a few other tricks for crispy skin and a tender and juicy bird!
Taking on the role of host or hostess at Thanksgiving can feel a little daunting, especially since it usually means you’re the one in charge of cooking the turkey.
However, it’s actually really easy to make a juicy, flavorful, and perfect turkey. It’s a multi-step process, and you’ll need a few uncommon kitchen tools, but I promise you, even the most unskilled home cook, can pull off this amazing turkey recipe!
Ingredients For Injectable Turkey Marinade
This turkey recipe really makes a statement with a bright lemon flavor. It’s not overpowering but adds acid and vibrance to what might be considered a “basic” herb-roasted turkey.
Injection Marinade:
Unlike my Turkey Brine Recipe (which I also highly recommend if you plan ahead), this liquid mixture is made of
- chicken stock
- butter
- lemon juice
- onion powder
- pepper
- salt
Turkey Rub:
This is a simple combination that gets rubbed all over the skin before roasting.
- salt
- black pepper
- garlic powder
- onion powder
Filling:
Skip the stuffing and opt for a dressing on the side. Then, fill the turkey with
- halved lemons
- apples
- onion
- thyme
- sage
- rosemary
These add additional fall flavor and keep the turkey tender.
Helpful Tools For This Butter Injection For Turkey
Roasting Pan: When you’re cooking a 14lb+ turkey, you’re going to need a roasting pan. I highly recommend getting one with a roasting rack insert.
This means the heat in the oven can circulate around the entire bird for a more even cooking. It also means the turkey won’t stick to the bottom of the pan. Plus, it will be easier to transfer to a turkey platter.
Meat Injector Syringe: You need a large kitchen syringe for the injection marinade. I found one at my local grocery store, so while they’re a little uncommon, they shouldn’t be too hard to find.
Kitchen Thermometer: This is the ABSOLUTE key to a perfect turkey! Do not rely on the little ones that come with the turkey. I use this stainless steel probe thermometer and love it!
You can set the temperature you want the meat to cook to, and it will go off when it reaches that point. It also has a ton of other features. However, a probe thermometer will ensure you don’t have a dry and overcooked turkey.
Turkey Lifters: After cooking, the turkey is going to be hot, juicy, and heavy, so it’s best to use a set of turkey lifters to transfer it from the roasting pan to the serving platter.
Carving Set: Having a proper carving set for cutting the turkey will mean nice, clean cuts for serving.
These sets can be really expensive, so if you don’t have one, ask a relative if you can borrow theirs before making the investment unless you’re going to be hosting year after year!
Aluminum Foil: I know it sounds basic, but it’s necessary. This trick from Alton Brown allows the skin to crisp up but prevents the turkey breast from overcooking while the rest is still getting up to temperature.
How To Prepare A Turkey For Thanksgiving With Injectable Turkey Marinade
Even though there are tons of ways to cook it, the most common is by cooking a turkey in the oven. That’s the method used in this recipe, and it’s pretty easy to follow.
How To Marinate A Turkey
1. Prepare the turkey by removing the neck and giblets from the cavity of the bird. Hold onto the giblets if you want to make giblet gravy.
2. Make the injection marinade by melting the butter with the chicken stock and lemon juice in a small saucepan. Whisk in the onion powder, black pepper, white pepper, and salt.
Then, inject the marinade into the thickest parts of the thighs, legs, and breasts. Check out this video for a walkthrough on how to inject a turkey.
3. Marinate the turkey overnight for best results, but the turkey can be cooked in as little as 2 hours after marinating.
4. Rest the turkey at room temperature for 30 to 60 minutes before roasting. You can continue with the other preparations while it’s resting.
When To Inject Turkey
You’ll want to inject the turkey immediately after making the marinade due to the melted butter. We don’t want the butter to resolidify. This is why we want to prep the turkey in Step 1 before preparing the marinade. The injection goes right into the raw turkey; then it should set for 2 to 12 hours before roasting for best results.
How To Inject A Turkey Without An Injector
Using an injector will be the easiest and surest way for the marinade to work, but if you don’t have one, you can use a fork or a metal skewer to poke holes all over the turkey, then seal it in a roasting bag with the marinade and let it sit overnight.
How To Season A Turkey For Thanksgiving
5. Stuff the cavity with apples, lemons, onion, sage, rosemary, and thyme.
6. Pat the turkey dry with a paper towel and then combine the onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper and rub it on the skin.
How To Roast A Turkey
7. Tuck the wings under the turkey (if you remember, I don’t always).
8. Transfer the turkey to the rack in the roasting pan and roast at 450 degrees for 30 minutes.
9. Reduce the heat to 350 degrees F and insert the probe thermometer into the thickest part of the breast. Then, place a double layer of aluminum foil over the breast of the bird and continue to cook until the turkey reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees F.
10. Remove the turkey from the oven and allow it to rest for 30 minutes before carving.
I only recommend cooking until it reaches 160 degrees F and not 165 degrees F because the turkey will continue to cook after it is removed from the oven. By the time the resting period is over, the meat should be 165 degrees F. Doing this prevents the turkey from being overcooked.
Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey Tips
- Don’t stuff your turkey! Instead, opt for a dressing that is cooked in its own baking dish. Adding the stuffing to the cavity of the turkey usually means your stuffing is underdone or the turkey is overdone.
- Don’t rinse your turkey! The FDA recommends that you avoid rinsing any meat before cooking as it can spread bacteria around the kitchen.
- Start with high heat! Start cooking the turkey at a higher temperature to encourage crispy skin and juicy meat. This recipe cooks at 450 degrees F for the first 30 minutes and then is reduced to 350 degrees F until done.
- Add more flavor! This recipe is already super flavorful, but if you REALLY love that buttery taste, you can use my herb butter recipe to rub between the skin and meat of the turkey.
- Only cook to 160 degrees F! Okay, hear me out! The turkey is considered done at 165 degrees F, however, the turkey also needs to rest for about 30 to 45 minutes before serving so all of the juices redistribute. During that time, the turkey will actually continue cooking which leads to an overdone bird. But pulling the turkey out of the oven at 160 degrees F, it should reach 165 degrees F about 20 to 30 minutes after being removed from the oven.
How To Serve Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey
I like to create a beautiful presentation by arranging cranberries, lemon slices, and fresh herbs on the platter around the turkey. I recommend placing the turkey on the table whole and carving it there so it doesn’t get cold or lose a lot of juice before serving.
For Turkey Day, we like to go all out with the side dishes; they’re actually my favorite part of the meal! I’m a big fan of Corn Casserole, Mashed Potatoes, and Candied Yams! And don’t forget the Dinner Rolls! Gravy and Cranberry Sauce are also a MUST!
Plus don’t forget to follow this Roast Turkey up with a slice of Pumpkin Pie and serve it with a glass of Thanksgiving Punch!
Turkey Injection Recipe FAQs
No, not with this recipe. Brining is still my favorite way to prepare a turkey, but it takes a lot of preparation and time to do it right.
This recipe gets similar results in less time, and you don’t need to have a huge container to submerge a giant turkey in.
While some recommend it, I personally wouldn’t do both a brine and marinade because I think the turkey can become too salty and watery.
With an injection marinade, it’s best if you can let it sit in the refrigerator for 12 to 24 hours after injecting. But if you let it sit for at least 2 hours, you’ll still get a delicious turkey.
If you’re starting with a frozen turkey, the easiest and safest way to thaw it is in the refrigerator. You’ll need 24 hours for every 4 to 5 lbs.
If you don’t have that kind of time, you can thaw it in the sink. Fill the sink 1/3 to 1/2 full with COLD water and place the turkey in it. Change out the water every 30 minutes. It will take about 30 minutes for every 1lb. DO NOT run it under warm or hot water.
Cooking times can vary depending on the starting temperature of the turkey, the recipe method, and your oven. And don’t forget to account for prep and rest time on both ends of roasting. But the general rule is 20 minutes per pound.
Absolutely! After cooling, package up any leftover turkey into freezer bags and squeeze out any excess air before freezing.
How Much Turkey Per Person?
The general rule is 1 pound per person, but aiming for 1 1/2 pounds per person is best because it means you’ll have a few days of Thanksgiving leftovers! Here are some size recommendations to guide you:
- 8 people = 12-pound turkey
- 10 people = 15-pound turkey
- 12 people = 18-pound turkey
- 14 people = 20-pound turkey
So there you have it, all my tips and tricks for making the perfect Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey! You can grab the full printable recipe below, and I hope you all have a wonderful holiday!
Let’s Connect!
If you’ve tried this recipe, please let me know how you liked it in the comments below and leave a review. I love hearing from you!
Don’t forget to tag me – @sugarandsoulco – on Instagram and Pinterest with your photos or join our Sugar & Soul Show-offs Community and share them there, where you can join our recipe challenges!
Best Turkey Injection Marinade
Equipment
- Roasting Pan
- Meat Injector Syringe
- Kitchen Probe Thermometer
- Turkey Lifters
- Carving Set
- Aluminum Foil
Ingredients
Turkey
- 1 (12-25lb) whole turkey fresh or thawed
Injection Marinade
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground white pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon onion powder
Filling
- 2 lemons halved
- 2 granny smith apples quartered
- 1 large white onion quartered
- 15 fresh thyme sprigs
- 10 fresh rosemary sprigs
- 10 fresh sage sprigs
Dry Rub
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1½ teaspoons ground black pepper
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon onion powder
Garnish
- Cranberries
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Sage
- Lemon sliced
Instructions
Turkey
- Make sure that your turkey is fully thawed if using a frozen turkey.
- Remove the neck and giblet from the turkey.
Injection Marinade
- Add the chicken stock, butter, lemon juice, salt, peppers, and onion powder to a small saucepan and cook over medium-low heat until the butter has melted, do not boil. Allow the marinade to cool in the pan for about 15 to 20 minutes. You want it to cool down enough so it doesn't start cooking parts of the turkey but still be liquid enough to inject.
- Use a large kitchen injector to inject the marinade into the thickest parts of the breasts, thighs, and legs of the turkey. Add the marinade until it starts to flow back over the top of the skin.
- Place the turkey in a large pan or bowl covered with plastic wrap or in a turkey bag to marinade. Marinate for at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours for the best results. Marinating for 12 to 24 will give the best flavor.
Filling
- Pull the turkey out of the refrigerator to rest for 1 hour, during that time, finish the prep work by beginning stuffing the cavity full of the lemons, apples, onion, and herbs.
Dry Rub
- Pat the turkey down with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture on the skin.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Then use your hands to rub the mixture all over the skin of the turkey.
Roasting
- Preheat the oven to 450°F and place a roasting rack in a roasting pan.
- Transfer the prepared turkey onto the roasting rack and cook in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, reduce the heat to 350°F and remove the turkey from the oven.
- Insert the probe thermometer into the thickest part of the turkey breast and cover the breast of the turkey with a double layer of aluminum foil.
- Place the turkey back in the oven and cook until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
- Remove from the oven and allow the turkey to rest for 30 to 40 minutes so the juices redistribute. During this resting period, the internal temperature should rise to 165°F.
- After resting, carve the turkey and enjoy.
Notes
- This recipe makes enough for a turkey between 12 and 25lbs. You may have some injection marinade leftover depending on the size and how much marinade the turkey will hold.
- Opt for a dressing that is cooked in its own baking dish. Adding the stuffing to the cavity of the turkey usually means your stuffing is underdone or the turkey if overdone.
- The FDA recommends that you avoid rinsing any meat before cooking as it can spread bacteria around the kitchen.
- Start cooking the turkey at a higher temperature to encourage crispy skin and juicy meat. This recipe cooks at 450 degrees F for the first 30 minutes and then is reduced to 350 degrees F until done.
- This recipe is already super flavorful, but if you REALLY love that buttery taste, you can use my herb butter recipe to rub between the skin and meat of the turkey.
- The turkey is considered done at 165 degrees F, however, the turkey also needs to rest for about 30 to 45 minutes before serving so all of the juices redistribute. During that time, the turkey will actually continue cooking which leads to an overdone bird. But pulling the turkey out of the oven at 160 degrees F, it should reach 165 degrees F about 20 to 30 minutes after being removed from the oven.
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
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Comments & Reviews
Rachel Wyatt says
Amaizing
Laura says
Really easy to do. Came out so great!
kayla says
is it possible to make this recipe without a meat injector? what alternatives would you recommend?
Rebecca Hubbell says
I talk about it in the post, but in case you missed it: Using an injector will be the easiest and surest way for the marinade to work, but if you don’t have one, you can use a fork or a metal skewer to poke holes all over the turkey, then seal it in a roasting bag with the marinade and let it sit overnight.
kaela says
this recipe is so good i would totally recomend it!!
Barbara Zenewicz says
I loved the rub & the turkey was very moist.
Kim says
Do you garnish as soon as the turkey comes out of the oven? Also, how do you garnish it- just sprinkle everything near the cavity?
Rebecca Hubbell says
I would let it rest, then ince you place it in the platter you can garnish it however you like for presentation. I like to cover the cavity and also place garnishes around the bird if the platter allows.
Jackie says
Hi
Would you recommend doing the herb butter and Injection together, would one or the other interfere with flavor of the bird.
Lisa says
I cooked my turkey exactly like the recipe says, I let it rest too. Went to carve it and guess what?
Not done, I had to put it back in oven 😢
Beck says
I’m with Kremer , I really don’t care for stuffing,but this sounds very tempting.I always make it because everyone else likes it but, it’s not on my plate. This recipe may have me jumping the fence! Thanks for sharing.
Lisa says
Only cover the breast with double foil? And the rest is uncovered? Please if anyone knows
Rebecca Hubbell says
Yes, it loosely sits on top of the turkey breast, if it covers the whole turkey that’s fine, you just don’t want to seal it in by wrapping the aluminum foil around the sides of the pan or anything. Simply shape a set it on the breast similar to the photo example in the post.
Toni says
This is a must for Thanksgiving! Really amazing!
Kim says
Printing this out! I’m going to need all the help I can get! We usually do ours in an infrared fryer, but I think we’re tackling a more traditional recipe this year. Your tips will help. Thank you.
katerina @ diethood.com says
This turkey looks incredible!! I bet it tastes amazing!!
Kayla says
Hello
It’s my first time making turkey in the oven and I have some questions. I was considering doing brine before hand but I also wanted to inject it. Should I do both or just one or the other? Also I want to do the herb butter under the skin is that a good idea or will it before too salty?
Rebecca Hubbell says
Most people do one or the other and there are pros and cons to both. Personally, I prefer the evenness of a brine, but bringing takes up more space and requires a solid 24 hours in most cases. Injecting is a little easier and can be done within a few hours of cooking (although letting the marinade distribute for 24 hours would be best. Some people do however do both, BUT you do run the risk of making the bird too salty. If you wanted to do both, I would focus on the brine being your moisture/plumper and the injection being more of a flavor/bonus and use unsalted butter and omit the added salt from the injection marinade. You can rub an herb butter mixture under the skin if desired with either of these methods as they target the inside of the meat itself and the butter under the skin would not negatively impact the effectiveness of the moisture methods. You could try using unsalted butter in the butter mixture to reduce saltiness if you’re worried about it. Overall, I think doing butter under the skin + either brining or injection would be enough, so you can keep it simple. I hope that helps!
Amy says
Have you made this type of turkey in an oven bag? Is an oven bag necessary? Trying to avoid a dry bird by using the bag but I really like the idea of injecting the marinade which I’ve never tried before.
Rebecca Hubbell says
I have not tested this recipe in an oven bag, but personally don’t think it should need one. A turkey that has been brined or uses an injection marinade should stay plenty juicy while roasting 🙂
Long says
I am NOT a good cook! I DON’T like to cook! I haven’t cooked the turkey yet but after reading your great instructions, I’m no longer in fear of my Thanksgiving Turkey!! Thank you so much for the detail, the hints, and the ability to print your instructions. I’m so relieved you actually made me feel confidence in cooking my turkey. If my turkey turns out as good as your Easy, No Fuss Thanksgiving Turkey indicates, I may have a whole, new outlook of going into the kitchen!!