Full video:    • Fresh Farmed Turkey marinade recipe: ...  


This turkey marinade is a combination of olive oil, fresh herbs, spices and citrus, all blended together to make the most juicy and tenderized turkey you have ever tasted. I have many other amazing blends which I switch up every Thanksgiving but for this year this blend is listed as one of my top favorites. Marinading is a quick and easy way to infuse flavor into your holiday turkey with minimal effort.

TURKEY MARINADE INGREDIENTS

Olive Oil: This is the base of the marinade. Consider using extra virgin olive oil if possible.
Soy Sauce: this adds a complex flavor which everybody knows a thanksgiving sized turkey can never get enough of.
Citrus Juice and zest: I use a combination of both lemon and orange juice and zest. Please always consider fresh ingredients so fresh squeezed juices and freshly zested ingredients are recommended.
Herbs: our choices of assortment of fresh herbs including chives, sage, parsley and thyme.
Garlic: Add a generous amount of garlic
Spices: I add salt, pepper, smoked paprika and regular paprika to finish off the marinade.

HOW LONG SHOULD YOU MARINATE TURKEY?
I recommend letting your turkey sit in the marinade for at least 12 hours minimum but up to 24 hours is preferred. It’s best to use a completely thawed turkey, as the marinade will not be able to infuse flavor into a frozen turkey. I highly recommend you go to your local farm to get a fresh turkey for best result.

TIPS FOR MARINATED TURKEY CORRECTLY
Be sure to rub the marinade all over the entire turkey, including under the skin as demonstrated in this video.
A marinade is not the same as a turkey brine. Turkey brine is a liquid solution of salt, sugar and water demonstrated in our part 1 video. To both marinade and brine your turkey will give you optimal result in the end.
This marinade can be prepared up to 2 days before you plan to use it.
You can roast, smoke or grill your marinated turkey. However you choose to cook it, just be sure to use a thermometer so that you can gauge when the turkey is cooked through and ready to eat. A meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast or thigh should register 165 degrees F.

The below list of marinade ingredients are portioned to makes enough to cover an average 12-14 pound turkey. If you’re using a larger turkey like I am in this video please watch for the measurements. Please also watch the video to see two more surprise ingredients added to add to the flavor profile.

INGREDIENTS for standard 12-14 pound turkey (ingredients for my 20 pound fresh farmed turkey please watch the video)

1 cup olive oil
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup orange juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon orange zest
1/2 cup parsley leaves finely chopped
1/4 cup chives thinly sliced
1/4 cup sage leaves finely chopped
2 tablespoons rosemary leaves finely chopped
1/4 cup thyme leaves chopped
1 tablespoon garlic minced
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoon sweet paprika

2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

Watch the video to see the two bonus ingredients added that took my turkey to the next level.

INSTRUCTIONS
Put all of the ingredients in a medium to large bowl. Whisk until well combined. Work the marinade on the turkey well then pour the marinade over a whole thawed turkey at the end. Keep rubbing the marinade to coat all over the outside, then loosen the skin and rub some of the marinade under the skin.
Let the turkey sit in the marinade for 12-24 hours. Then cook as desired.