The Best Turkey Marinade Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Should I marinate my turkey the night before? ›

For best results let fully thawed turkey soak in brine or marinade for at least 24 hours.

In the clean stockpot, make the marinade by stirring together together sliced oranges, sliced lemons, onion, green bell pepper, parsley, cloves, garlic powder, cinnamon sticks, paprika, olive oil, and pepper. Place the turkey into the stockpot and rub the marinade into the turkey. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Brining takes longer than marinating, as the salt needs more time to work on the meat and get through the bird. Marinating typically only reaches into the first quarter inch of the meat. During brining, the turkey absorbs extra moisture, which helps it stay juicy.

Most recipes for marinating meat and poultry recommend six hours up to 24 hours. It is safe to keep the food in the marinade longer, but after two days it is possible that the marinade can start to break down the fibers of the meat, causing it to become mushy.

Brining your turkey in saltwater adds extra moisture to the lean bird, helping it stay juicy as it roasts (even if you accidentally overcook it).

Brining for too long can result in meat that tastes overly-salty and has a spongy texture. If you're not ready to roast the bird after 18 hours, remove it from the brine, rinse it, pat it dry, and refrigerate for up to two days.

A typical marinade is made up of three essential components: an acid (such as vinegar, wine, or citrus), an oil (such as olive oil or sesame oil), and a flavouring agent (such as herbs and spices).

If looking to add some flare in terms of flavor, perhaps a marinade is the way to go. A dry brine in the form of a rub is perhaps the middle ground, as salt will bind to muscle fibers and help retain moisture while other spices will imbue meat with flavor.

Create a Salt Solution

The basic ratio for a wet turkey brine is to use 2 cups of kosher salt or coarse sea salt for every 2 gallons of water. The benefit of a wet brine is that it can work slightly quicker than a dry brine because it infuses the entire turkey in a salty solution.

What is the downside of brining turkey? ›

Second, brining robs your bird of flavor. Think about it: Your turkey is absorbing water, and holding on to it. That means that that extra 30 to 40% savings in moisture loss doesn't really come in the form of turkey juices—it's plain old tap water.

The secret to a juicy and delicious turkey is to let it soak in brine for 24 hours, then marinate it for another 24 hours. Today I'd like to share with you my favorite marinade recipe, but you can use your family's favorite. Remember, 24 hours!

It takes approximately 24 hours for every four to five pounds of whole turkey to thaw in the refrigerator. Once the turkey is thawed, you can keep it in the refrigerator for one to two additional days before cooking.

Be sure to wash your hands before and after handling turkey, especially if it's raw. If properly stored, raw turkey can last in the fridge for 1–2 days, while cold cuts last up to 5 days.

It's easy: Simply cook it a day or two in advance, let it cool completely, then carve the bird into large pieces—breasts, wings, thighs and drumsticks. Store in a container in the refrigerator until the big day. This method actually result in juicier meat—and an infinitely more relaxed host.

Start seasoning a whole turkey the day before roasting for the most memorable flavor. You can season a turkey with a variety of different flavors, as well as a little salt and pepper. Once you've seasoned the turkey, you can cook it according to your recipe.

Yes! It doesn't so much matter when you season your bird—whether it's just before popping it in the oven or several days in advance for a dry-brine technique—as long as you season it before it gets cooked.

You don't want the meat to dry out while it sits overnight, so you will need to cover it with a liquid. Spoon some chicken broth or the drippings from the roasting pan (and the cutting board) over the turkey so it stays moist. Cover snugly and refrigerate overnight.