It’s actually very easy to marinate turkey — just follow this simple recipe and take these easy steps.
There was a time I had no idea how much I’d appreciate a deliciously marinated turkey on my table. In fact, only a few short years ago I had just gotten comfortable with things like marinated steak and marinated salmon — I’m drooling just thinking about them. Because I love marinated meat, and I know you will, too, I’m happy to share a how-to guide and a marinade recipe to show you how delicious your homemade turkey can be!
I love turkey any time of the year, so I’m always prepared to make it, even if it’s not cold out. Not everyone is willing to roast a turkey in the summer, and that’s fine — it’s a known traditional holiday dinner staple, therefore many people tend to associate it with wintery months. I hardly have to mention that turkey is all but synonymous with Thanksgiving and even Christmas.
Even though we respect that many people want alternatives to turkey for Thanksgiving or want to experiment with some delicious seafood dishes for the big day, we also know that having a delicious turkey is at the top of many people’s lists. (It just so happens to be on mine all the time…)
You may be used to brining your turkey, which is a great way to prepare a juicy turkey. The bonus to marinading your turkey instead of brining it is that it adds so much extra flavor that you may miss out on by only using brine — and we’re big on flavor.
Changing your prep methods may feel daunting, but never fear! Marinating turkey requires minimal effort. Preparing a homemade marinade is quick and easy and uses surprisingly common ingredients that you may already have on hand. As an added bonus to the flavor kick you get with a marinade, you will find that your turkey will be very moist and vibrant — pure poultry perfection if I do say so myself.
Optional: If you do not have, or do not want to use, fresh herbs and spices, you can substitute with dried herbs and spices. When substituting dried herbs for fresh herbs, use only ½ the amount called for.
Other common ingredient choices for a delicious marinade on your Thanksgiving turkey or boneless turkey breast include a little lemon juice, lime juice, brown sugar, apple cider or apple cider vinegar, white wine, balsamic vinegar, or chicken broth. You can also vary the kind of salt you use, from seasoning salt to kosher salt. Heck, you can even throw in a cinnamon stick to the marinade!
Marinating turkey before roasting or cooking can infuse amazing flavor and make the meat incredibly moist and tender But is it safe to soak turkey in a marinade overnight? What are the benefits and potential risks? This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about marinating turkey overnight versus a quick marinade
Overview of Marinating Turkey
Marinating involves soaking meat in a seasoned liquid before cooking. The marinade imparts flavor and can tenderize the turkey.
Some common marinade ingredients include
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Oil – Helps keep turkey moist and aids flavor absorption. Olive, vegetable, sesame or nut oils work well.
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Acid – Helps tenderize turkey. Lemon juice, vinegar, wine are commonly used.
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Herbs and spices – Add tons of flavor. Garlic onion pepper, oregano, rosemary are tasty choices.
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Soy sauce or broth – Adds savory umami flavor and moisture.
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Sweetener – Honey, maple syrup, brown sugar balance acidity.
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Zest – Brightens flavor. Lemon, lime, orange zest are commonly used.
Marinades can be blended into sauces to serve alongside the turkey if not reused.
Should You Marinate Turkey Overnight?
Marinating turkey in the refrigerator for 8-24 hours allows more time for the marinade to permeate and tenderize the meat. There are some advantages to overnight marinating:
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Deeper flavor infusion – Longer marinating time allows flavors to fully penetrate into the turkey.
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More tender texture – Salt, enzymes, and acids in the marinade help break down turkey proteins for a more tender bite.
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Added moisture – Marinade helps seal in juices so turkey stays succulent when cooked.
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Advanced meal planning -Turkey can marinate overnight for easy holiday prep and time savings.
As long as food safety guidelines are followed, marinating turkey overnight poses minimal risk and yields great flavor rewards. Turkey breast meat and acidic marinades present a relatively low risk environment for bacterial growth.
Quick Marinade vs. Overnight – Which is Better?
Overnight turkey marinades (8-24 hours) are ideal for:
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Large whole turkeys over 12 lbs where deep flavor penetration is key.
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Advanced meal prep when you have time to marinate the day before.
Quick turkey marinades (30 mins – 2 hours) are best for:
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Boneless turkey breasts under 5 lbs where you just want a subtle flavor.
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Weeknight meals when you need dinner on the table fast.
For whole birds under 12 lbs or bone-in turkey breasts, either quick or overnight marinating works well depending on your timing and preferences.
Food Safety Tips for Marinating Turkey Overnight
Follow these guidelines to safely marinate turkey for extended periods:
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Use the refrigerator – Marinate at 40°F or below. Don’t leave turkey marinating at room temp.
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Marinate thawed turkey – Only marinate fully defrosted turkey to allow marinade absorption.
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Use non-reactive containers – Glass, plastic or stainless steel won’t react with acidic marinades. Avoid aluminum.
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Submerge turkey fully – The meat should be completely covered in marinade. Weigh down if needed.
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Don’t reuse marinade – Use any leftover marinade only for basting, not as a sauce, due to bacteria transfer risks.
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Cook within 2 days – For food safety, cook marinated turkey within 1-2 days. Don’t marinate for extended storage.
How Long to Marinate Turkey?
Whole turkeys: Overnight (8-24 hrs)
Turkey breast: 2-4 hours
Legs, wings, thighs: 4-12 hours
Marinating time depends on the size and cut of the turkey. Smaller cuts like boneless turkey breast marinate faster. Whole birds over 12 lbs do best with an overnight marinade for deep flavor infusion.
For food safety, don’t exceed 48 hours refrigerator marinating time. Discard used marinade.
Easy Overnight Turkey Marinade Recipe
This flavorful marinade works great for whole turkeys or turkey parts:
- 1 cup olive oil
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1⁄4 cup lemon juice
- 1⁄4 cup orange juice
- Zest of 1 lemon and 1 orange
- 1⁄2 cup chopped parsley
- 1⁄4 cup chopped sage
- 2 Tbsp chopped rosemary
- 1⁄4 cup chopped thyme
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Whisk together the ingredients until well blended. Place turkey in a large resealable plastic bag or container and pour marinade over to coat completely. Refrigerate 8-24 hours, turning occasionally to distribute marinade. Discard used marinade. Rinse turkey, pat dry and roast as desired.
Marinating Turkey Breast
For boneless turkey breasts under 5 pounds, cut marinating time down to just 2-4 hours. The marinade will penetrate the thinner meat quickly.
Try a fast citrus-herb marinade:
- 1⁄2 cup olive oil
- 1⁄4 cup lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tbsp chopped thyme
- 1 Tbsp chopped rosemary
- 1 tsp salt
- 1⁄2 tsp black pepper
Alternatives to Marinating Overnight
If you’re short on time, here are some other great ways to infuse flavor besides marinating:
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Dry brine – Rub salt and herbs under the skin before roasting.
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Quick spice rub – Coat turkey with an oil-based spice paste 30-60 minutes before cooking.
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Flavorful stuffing – Stuff the cavity with lemons, onions, herbs or garlic.
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Compound butter – Loosen skin and spread herb butter underneath.
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Grill or smoke – Adds tasty charcoal flavor.
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Baste while cooking – Frequently spoon over butter, broth or glaze.
FAQs about Overnight Turkey Marinades
How long can you safely marinate turkey?
Refrigerated turkey can marinate up to 48 hours safely. Marinate no longer than that.
What if I marinate too long?
The turkey won’t be unsafe, but texture may become too soft. Discard used marinade after 48 hours.
Should I rinse turkey after marinating overnight?
Yes, gently rinse off the marinade before cooking. Pat skin dry for best crispiness.
Can I inject marinade into turkey?
Yes. Inject thin marinades with an injector for quick, even flavor. Refrigerate after and cook within 2 days.
The Takeaway on Marinating Turkey Overnight
Allowing turkey to marinate in the refrigerator 8-24 hours results in exceptionally moist, flavorful meat with minimal hassle. Follow proper food handling and use quality ingredients for best results. Overnight marinating lets you get ahead on holiday prep while letting time and flavors do the work!
How to Marinade Turkey
Timing is everything! Before you begin this process, be sure to follow our helpful guide to determine how long it takes to defrost a turkey. A turkey can only be marinated if it is raw or fully thawed.
Place your raw or thawed turkey in a large shallow roasting pan, large rimmed baking sheet, or shallow baking dish.
Pour the marinade over the whole bird. It should cover the bottom of the roasting pan. Rub the marinade to coat the entire bird’s exterior.
For best results, loosen the skin and rub some marinade between the separated skin and the meat.
Marinating between the skin and the meat will allow for more marinade to absorb, and more flavors to transfer. This way, the turkey meat will be perfectly seasoned — and not just the skin!
Allow the turkey to rest in the marinade for up to 24 hours in the fridge. The USDA recommends allowing a turkey to marinate for 6 to 24 hours. Since we’ve already addressed how long an uncooked turkey lasts in the fridge, we recommend marinating yours for 12 hours. After all, you want your turkey to be as fresh as possible!
Before cooking, you may choose to remove any large pieces of herbs or garlic from the turkey to prevent burning during cooking. Discard marinade that’s left over.
Cook the turkey as desired and enjoy!
Tip: Learn how to marinate frozen chicken!
How to Make Turkey Marinade
Measure all the ingredients above, and in a small bowl, whisk until combined.
If you prepared the mixture in advance, refrigerate it before using. Store it in a well-sealed container for up to 4 days, and be sure to shake or stir before marinating, as the ingredients will settle.
Safety tip: Do not save or reuse leftover marinade that has been exposed to raw meat.
Our turkey marinade recipe serves about 12. Check out our guide for how much turkey you should have at your dinner table, depending on your amount of guests. We also thought ahead for all aspects of your Thanksgiving meal with our complete Thanksgiving dinner portion planner guide, which takes all the guesswork out of planning what, and how much, to make for the big day.
