Turkey Marinade: An excellent way to enhance your Thanksgiving turkey, this marinade recipe is made with olive oil, fresh herbs, spices, and citrus. It can be used on turkey breasts, tenderloins, or even a whole turkey!
Here are some general guidelines for marinating a turkey:
- Small turkeys (under 12 pounds): Marinate for 2-4 hours.
- Medium turkeys (12-16 pounds): Marinate for 4-6 hours.
- Large turkeys (16-20 pounds): Marinate for 6-8 hours.
- Very large turkeys (over 20 pounds): Marinate for 8-12 hours.
Factors that can affect marinating time:
- The size of the turkey: Larger turkeys will take longer to marinate than smaller turkeys.
- The type of marinade: Marinades that are acidic, such as those with citrus juice or vinegar, can break down the turkey’s muscle fibers more quickly and therefore should be used for shorter marinating times.
- The temperature of the marinade: Marinating at room temperature will allow the marinade to penetrate the turkey more quickly than marinating in the refrigerator. However, it is important to keep in mind that marinating at room temperature increases the risk of bacteria growth, so it is important to marinate in the refrigerator if you are going to marinate for more than a few hours.
- The desired level of flavor: If you want a more intense flavor, you can marinate your turkey for longer. However, if you are concerned about over-marinating, it is better to err on the side of caution and marinate for a shorter time.
Here are some additional tips for marinating a turkey:
- Use a food-grade container: Do not marinate your turkey in a metal container, as this can react with the marinade and give your turkey a metallic taste.
- Turn the turkey occasionally: This will help to ensure that the marinade is evenly distributed.
- Discard the marinade after use: Do not reuse the marinade, as it may contain bacteria from the raw turkey.
- Pat the turkey dry before cooking: This will help to ensure that the skin crisps up in the oven.
How to tell if your turkey is over-marinated:
- The texture of the turkey will be mushy or stringy.
- The turkey will have a sour or fermented smell.
- The turkey will be a dull gray color.
If you suspect that your turkey is over-marinated, it is best to discard it and start over with a fresh turkey.
Marinating a turkey is a great way to add flavor and moisture, but it is important to avoid over-marinating By following the guidelines above, you can ensure that your turkey is cooked to perfection
How Long Can You Marinate Turkey
Before cooking, we advise letting the turkey marinate for 30 to 60 minutes. You could marinate it in the refrigerator for the entire night, but we strongly advise sticking to a shorter marinating time because this marinade contains a good amount of citrus, which could start to cook your meat.
What’s The Difference Between Brining & Marinating
Brining a turkey is primarily done for moisture, whereas marinating is more about great flavors and provides some moisture as well. Brining takes anywhere from 12 to 48 hours, whereas marinating takes only 30 to 60 minutes. Check out Brining a Turkey 101 if you’re interested in brining turkey; it has a ton of helpful hints and strategies!
How long can you marinate a turkey
FAQ
How long can you marinate a turkey in the fridge?
How many days in advance can you season a turkey?
Should I marinate turkey overnight?
Can you marinate a Butterball turkey?
How long should you marinate a Turkey before cooking?
Here are some time-tested tips for marinating: If the marinade recipe requires you to heat the ingredients, be sure to let the heated marinade cool to room temperature before pouring it over your turkey. For recipes that call for a short marinating time, make the marinade several hours in advance so it can develop its full flavor.
How do you store a marinated Turkey?
You can store the turkey as it marinates in a baking dish covered with plastic wrap, a brining bag or a large pot. This is almost like a wet rub, so the marinade will sit on the skin and flesh of the turkey and penetrate it with flavor, but there’s not a lot of messy liquid to deal with. A marinade is not the same as a turkey brine.
How do you cook a marinated Turkey?
You can cook a marinated turkey (whole, breast, or tenderloin) any way you want! Personally, we love Grilled Turkey, Smoked Turkey, or the classic Roasted Turkey! Once your turkey is completely thawed, you will pat it dry. Mix up your marinade ingredients. Place your turkey in a large enough container to hold the turkey & marinade.
Can You marinate a Turkey the day before Thanksgiving?
* The type of marinade you use will affect the flavor of the turkey. Experiment with different flavors until you find one that you like. * Marinating a turkey overnight is a great way to save time on Thanksgiving Day. The turkey can be marinated the day before and then cooked the next day.