Making a homemade Cajun injection marinade is an easy way to infuse moisture and big, bold Louisiana flavor into your holiday turkey or anytime you want to serve up a juicy, flavor-packed bird. With just a few simple ingredients from your pantry, you can whip up a customizable Cajun marinade that will wow your family and guests.
What You’ll Need
Injector – You’ll need a wide gauge injector tool to infuse the marinade deep into the turkey. Look for one with a 2-ounce capacity or larger. Test it out ahead of time with water to get comfortable using it.
Small saucepan – Use this to gently heat up and blend the marinade ingredients
Mixing bowl – You’ll mix everything together in here before transferring it to the injector.
Whisk – Helpful for blending the marinade smoothly.
Turkey – Plan for about 1-2 ounces of marinade per pound of turkey
Choosing the Cajun Injection Ingredients
The marinade has 4 key components:
Oil – A neutral oil like canola or vegetable oil helps the seasoning distribute evenly. Olive oil also works.
Spices – Cajun seasoning gets its signature kick from spices like cayenne, paprika, black pepper, garlic powder, and oregano.
Seasonings – Commercial Cajun blends or Creole seasoning add regional flavor. Use 1-3 Tbsp.
Acid – Brighten up the marinade with lemon juice, vinegar, or hot sauce. Use 1/4 to 1/2 cup.
Extras – Chicken broth, melted butter, or Worcestershire sauce add depth.
Play around with the ingredient amounts to customize the spiciness and flavor profile. Keep tasting as you go until it’s just right.
How to Make the Marinade
Making your Cajun injection marinade takes just 10 minutes:
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Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan. For a 12-15 lb. turkey, sample quantities are:
- 1/2 cup canola oil
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 2 Tbsp Creole seasoning
- 1 Tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
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Heat the mixture over medium-low, stirring frequently, until warmed through and fragrant.
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Remove pan from heat and let cool slightly so the marinade is warm but not hot.
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Transfer marinade to a mixing bowl or measuring cup for easier injecting.
Injecting the Marinade into the Turkey
Once your Cajun injection marinade is prepped, it’s time to infuse all that flavor into the turkey. Here are some tips:
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Inject the marinade into several spots on the breasts, thighs, and legs. Use 1-2 ounces per pound.
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Try to inject deep into the thick parts of the meat for maximum coverage.
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If any marinade leaks out, use it to baste the turkey skin and seal in moisture.
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Refrigerate the injected turkey at least 4 hours before cooking, preferably overnight.
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Pat the skin dry before cooking to prevent splattering.
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Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Troubleshooting Your Injected Turkey
Having trouble getting perfect results? Here are some common issues and solutions:
Marinade leaks out – Use a thinner needle, inject slowly, and don’t overfill each spot. Massage marinade into leaks.
Skin splits – Avoid injecting too much liquid right under the skin. Start injections deeper in the meat.
Turkey tastes bland – Use more spices in the marinade and inject more ounces per pound of turkey.
Meat is dry – Check temperature early and baste with pan juices. Don’t overcook.
Skin won’t crisp – Pat turkey very dry before roasting. Start at a high temp (450°F) to crisp the skin.
Alternative Marinade Ideas
Customize your Cajun injection marinade to your tastes:
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Substitute peanut or olive oil for the canola oil
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Use apple cider or Worcestershire sauce instead of lemon juice
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Add more cayenne and black pepper for extra spice
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Use liquid crab boil rather than powdered seasoning
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Stir in melted butter or chicken broth for extra moisture
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Swap in garlic juice or hot sauce for amplified flavor
The options are endless for crafting your own signature marinade!
Make This Your Best Cajun Turkey Ever
A spicy, zesty Cajun injection marinade takes your holiday turkey from dull to delightfully delicious. With a little prep work, you’ll have a mouthwatering turkey that impresses your guests. This simple homemade marinade adds the perfect dose of Creole and Cajun flair.
So grab your injector and spice up your next turkey with a flavorful injection. Your family will be begging for seconds of your incredible Cajun creation!
5 Turkey Injection MarinadesCondiments and Sauces
Recipe courtesy of Louisiana Kitchen & Culture magazine
Makes enough for 1 large turkey Ingredients:
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Beer n Butter Poultry Injection
Savory Turkey Injection
Cajun Turkey Injection
Hot and Spicy Injection
Italian Herb Injection
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Beer n Butter Poultry Injection
Use this injection marinade to reach deep into the meat of poultry. It works really well on turkey. Make sure the mixture is warm to keep the butter in liquid form. Combine all ingredients in a sauce pan over a low heat. Stir and heat until salt is dissolved and the sauce is even and runny. Keep warm (but not hot) to inject.
Savory Turkey Injection This is a flavorful injection marinade for turkey. Remember to get it spread out evenly so you dont end up with pockets of the marinade in the meat. Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and simmer for a few minutes while stirring. You want to make sure the mixture is well mixed and that any herb is small enough to fit through your needle.
Cajun Turkey Injection This is the classic solution injected into the meat of turkeys which are fried Cajun style. By getting the flavors inside the meat you wont have to worry about the hot oil washing them off. Make sure you distribute the injection evenly so you dont get large pockets of the mixture. Combine all ingredients in a saucepan. Heat until butter is melted. Stir and continue heating until sauce is very liquefied. Inject while still hot enough to stay liquid.
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CAJUN TURKEY INJECTION MARINADE RECIPE
FAQ
What should you inject your turkey with?
- Butter: Adds rich, creamy flavor and helps keep the meat moist.
- Chicken Broth: Infuses the turkey with savory, juicy goodness while enhancing its natural flavor.
- Garlic: Brings bold, aromatic notes that complement turkey beautifully.
How to make injection marinade?
- Gather the ingredients. …
- Add the chicken broth, butter, lemon juice, garlic powder, black pepper, and white pepper in a small saucepan. …
- Add salt and taste test. …
- Load the marinade into a meat injector and slowly and carefully inject it into various spots in the bird.
What to inject into a turkey before deep frying?
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt (DO NOT USE REGULAR SALT! WILL CLOG YOUR INJECTOR)
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder.
- 2 teaspoons white pepper (DO NOT USE BLACK PEPPER, WILL CLOG YOUR INJECTOR)
- 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper.
- 1⁄2 teaspoon onion powder.
- 1 cup melted butter.
How to Cajun brine a turkey?
INSTRUCTIONS. Combine 2 quarts of water with the sugar, salt, and Cajun seasoning in a pot and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and add the remaining ingredients, including 4 quarts of water. Allow the brine to cool for about an hour before pouring over the turkey in a brining bag and refrigerate overnight.
What is Cajun injected Turkey?
Injection also adds flavorful fats from the melted butter, unlike just salty broth from a brine. You get the benefits of both brining and basting simultaneously with an injection. Both methods work great, but injection gives slightly better moisture retention and a bigger flavor punch. Cajun injected turkey comes out perfect when roasted or smoked.
How do you make a Cajun Turkey injection?
A delicious, flavorful Cajun Turkey Injection recipe that will spice up your turkey meat in the most perfect way. Take the melted butter and all the other ingredients and mix together in a small mixing bowl with a whisk. Using a large syringe inject into the turkey you wish to cook. Allow to marinade at room temperature for at least an hour.
What is Cajun butter Turkey injection?
A: Cajun butter turkey injection is a flavorful marinade made with melted butter, Cajun seasoning, and garlic. It is used to flavor and moisten turkey before cooking. Q: What are the ingredients for Cajun butter turkey injection? Q: How do I make Cajun butter turkey injection?
Can you use Cajun injection on a smoked turkey?
This injection can be used on any type of turkey, but it is especially delicious on a smoked turkey. You can also use this injection on chicken, pork, or beef. To use the injection, simply inject it into the meat about 1 hour before cooking. Cajun injection is a flavorful marinade that is perfect for injecting into a turkey before roasting.
How much Cajun injection do I need for a 10 pound turkey?
You will need about 1 cup of Cajun injection for a 10-pound turkey. How long do I need to inject the turkey? You should inject the turkey all over, especially in the thickest parts. Be sure to inject the turkey at least 30 minutes before cooking. Can I make Cajun injection ahead of time? Yes, you can make Cajun injection ahead of time.
How do you use a Cajun Turkey injector?
A: To use a Cajun turkey injector recipe, you will first need to prepare the turkey. This involves removing the giblets and neck from the cavity, and rinsing the turkey inside and out. You will then need to make the marinade. To do this, combine all of the ingredients in a bowl and whisk until well combined.