Make Your Turkey Juicy and Flavorful With Cajun Butter Injection

Injecting a turkey with a flavored butter is a great way to keep the meat moist and add tons of flavor. Cajun butter turkey injection is especially delicious infusing the bird with the iconic spices of Louisiana cuisine. This simple technique can take your holiday turkey from dry and bland to juicy spicy perfection.

Why Inject Turkey with Cajun Butter?

Turkey meat has a tendency to dry out when cooked, especially the breast meat. Injection adds moisture directly into the meat, keeping it tender and juicy as it cooks. The butter helps keep the meat from drying out, while the added flavors permeate the meat to add spice and depth.

Cajun seasonings like cayenne, paprika, garlic, and onion provide a trademark New Orleans flavor that pairs perfectly with turkey. The butter also allows the seasoning to stick to the meat and penetrate deeply. Brining and rubbing the outside of the turkey can only flavor it so much. Injection ensures every bite is bursting with flavor.

Easy Homemade Cajun Butter Injection

Making your own Cajun butter injection at home is quick easy and inexpensive. All you need is

• Butter – Use unsalted butter so you control the salt content
• Cajun seasoning – A store-bought blend or your own homemade mix
• Hot sauce – For heat and tangy flavor
• Herbs and aromatics – Garlic, onion, thyme, etc.
• Lemon juice – Brightens up the flavors
• Olive oil – Helps the butter blend smoothly

Melt the butter and mix everything together until fully incorporated. Let it cool until thickened but still liquid enough to draw up into an injector.

Be careful not to oversalt the injection, since you’ll be squirting a lot inside the turkey. Taste it before injecting and adjust seasoning if needed.

How to Inject a Turkey

You’ll need an injection kit which includes a stainless steel needle and a syringe. Load the needle up with the Cajun butter mixture.

Inject into the thickest part of the breast, thighs, and drumsticks. Angle the needle and poke it into different spots to distribute the butter throughout the meat.

Once injected, rub any excess butter over the skin and let the turkey sit for 30 minutes up to overnight in the fridge. This allows the flavors to spread evenly through the meat before cooking.

Trash Can Turkey Cajun Garlic Butter Injection

This recipe from The Trash Can Turkey makes an easy, foolproof Cajun garlic butter injection that takes just 5 minutes to mix up.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, melted
• 3 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
• 3 tablespoons hot sauce
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
• 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves
• 2 tablespoons fresh oregano leaves
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Use to inject turkey before roasting or smoking.

Homemade Cajun Garlic Butter Injection

Mrs. Happy Homemaker shared this homemade version using ingredients you likely have on hand. Modify the heat to your taste by using more or less cayenne pepper.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup salted butter, melted
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

Mix everything together, allow to cool slightly, and inject into turkey. Roast as desired.

Easy Cajun Turkey Injection Recipe

The Cagle Diaries posted an easy 5 ingredient Cajun turkey injection perfect for deep frying or roasting.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 1/2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning

Combine in a bowl and inject into turkey. Let marinate 1 hour before cooking.

Tips for Juicy Cajun Buttered Turkey

• Inject the day before for maximum flavor distribution. Inject right before cooking if short on time.

• Use an instant read thermometer to ensure the turkey reaches 165°F.

• Let the cooked turkey rest at least 15-20 minutes before carving for juicy meat.

• Make extra injection to drizzle over the carved turkey or use as a base for gravy.

• Fry or grill a boneless turkey breast for a smaller crowd. Inject it with Cajun butter too.

• Use any leftovers for sandwiches, salads, soups, casseroles, and more.

Enjoy Moist and Spicy Cajun Turkey

Skip the dry, bland turkey this year and treat your guests to a juicy, butter-injected Cajun turkey. The homemade injection takes just minutes to make and adds incredible flavor throughout the entire turkey. Cajun seasonings give it a kick of heat while the butter keeps it unbelievably moist and tender. Your new holiday tradition starts with this simple trick.