what is butterball turkey injected with

What is Butterball Turkey Injected With? Uncovering the Infusion Secrets

Butterball turkey has become a staple for many families’ Thanksgiving and holiday meals. The brand is renowned for its moist, juicy, and tender turkey meat that seems to cook up more flavorful than regular supermarket varieties. But what gives Butterball turkey its distinctive texture and taste? The answer lies in a “marinade” solution secretly injected deep into the meat before sale Let’s uncover the secrets behind Butterball’s turkey infusion

The Purpose of Turkey Infusion
Like many poultry companies, Butterball injects its whole turkeys and turkey parts with a seasoned broth solution prior to selling them. This process is known as “marinade infusion” or simply “infusing”. The main goals of infusing turkey are to:

• Add moisture – Keeps the meat juicy when cooked
• Improve flavor – Infuses seasoning throughout the meat
• Increase tenderness – Added moisture prevents meat from drying out

Without an infusion, the turkey breast meat in particular would end up dry and bland after cooking. The infusion gives Butterball turkey its signature juicy, savory flavor that consumers love.

What’s in the Butterball Turkey Infusion?While Butterball doesn’t reveal their exact marinade recipe analyzing ingredients lists and tasting the turkey provides clues about what’s inside. The likely infusion ingredients include

• Water – Provides moisture and transports seasonings into meat
• Salt – For flavor. Contains sodium phosphate to retain moisture
• Sugars – Adds subtle sweetness to balance flavors
• Vegetable broth – Savory flavor without using animal products
• Herbs & spices – Garlic, onion, sage, rosemary, thyme, pepper
• Natural flavors – Imparts meaty, turkey-like taste
• Vegetable oil – For juiciness, richness and texture
• Preservatives – Maintain color and slow spoilage

So while the percentages are confidential, the infusion clearly contains a blend of seasonings, broths, and natural flavors dissolved in a water solution.

How is the Infusion Injected into the Turkey?
Injecting a complex marinade solution deep into whole turkeys and large cuts of meat is a multi-step industrial process:

1. Infusion is made in batches based on Butterball’s proprietary formula

2. Liquid is pumped into specialized needle injectors

3. Needles penetrate deep into turkey, infusing up to 15% of its weight

4. Multiple insertion points ensure even dispersal of infusion

5. Puncture points are quickly sealed to prevent leakage

6. Infused turkeys are chilled to solidify solution into meat

Potential Concerns About Infused Turkeys
While USDA approved, some worries exist regarding infused turkeys:

• High sodium – From salt and sodium phosphate
• Phosphates – Some wish to avoid added phosphates
• Allergens – Could trigger reactions for sensitive individuals
• Masking quality – Misconception it hides undesirable meat
• Over-reliance – Discourages properly brining/seasoning meat

However, reputable brands like Butterball start with high-quality turkey and use infusions simply to guarantee moisture, convenience and great taste.

Nutrition Difference Between Infused and Non-Infused
There are slight nutrition variations between infused and plain turkey:

• Sodium – Infused contains 5-15% more sodium
• Phosphorus – Phosphates increase phosphorus levels
• Protein – Slightly diluted but still excellent source
• Calories – Similar or slightly more in infused

For most consumers, the foolproof juiciness and flavor of infused turkey makes it well worth the small premium over non-infused. However, plain turkey remains a budget-friendly option.

How to Identify an Infused Turkey
It’s not always obvious just by looking. Here’s how to spot an infused turkey:

• Brand – Major brands like Butterball infuse their turkeys
• Labeling – Look for “Injected”, “Infused”, etc.
• Ingredients – Scan for broth, phosphates, etc.
• Sodium – Check nutrition label for higher sodium
• Price – Infused costs ~$0.50-$1 more per pound
• Liquid – May see pooling liquid in packaging
• Texture/Flavor – Superior moisture and taste indicates infusion

Infusing turkey delivers reliable juiciness and alleviates the guesswork of proper brining. While it does cost a bit more, the convenience and mouthwatering flavor make it worthwhile for many shoppers. With a trained eye, spotting infused turkeys at the store is straightforward. So go ahead and enjoy Butterball’s expertly infused holiday turkey without worry or pretreatment needed. Just pop that bird in the oven and wait for incredibly moist, decadent meat that will wow your guests.