# If you were a sick turkey, what sort of IV would you want? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 21, 2006, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-sick-turkey-what-sort-of-iv-would-you-want/381300 "2006-11-21T16:36:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2006, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-sick-turkey-what-sort-of-iv-would-you-want/381300/1 "2006-11-21T16:36:58Z")
I’m thinking of breaking tradition slightly this year. Normally I give the turkey a butter massage and a bread enema. But this year I’m thinking of giving it an IV. When I got my meat injector, the manufacturer suggested using any if a line of premade Cajun mixtures that they sell. They had no suggestions for anything homemade, nor for anything with a non-Southern flavor. Suggestions for something to add savory flavor and moistness, but which is largely cayenne-free? ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2006, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-sick-turkey-what-sort-of-iv-would-you-want/381300/2 "2006-11-21T17:17:53Z")
In injected a turkey once. I think it is inferior to brining, but YMMV. I have seen some injection that don’t have cayenne, but since I don’t do that I haven’t paid attention. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2006, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-sick-turkey-what-sort-of-iv-would-you-want/381300/3 "2006-11-21T17:26:55Z")
What mixture do you use for the brine? And how long do you leave it? ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2006, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-sick-turkey-what-sort-of-iv-would-you-want/381300/4 "2006-11-21T17:43:43Z")
Instructions are over [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=396475) in the holiday recipe thread. Make sure you read my clarification in post #26. We also discussed brining over [here.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=396690) ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2006, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-sick-turkey-what-sort-of-iv-would-you-want/381300/5 "2006-11-21T18:30:14Z")
Excellent, Smithers! I may have to try that. I googled on some injection recipes, and the non-spicy ones usually call for stock, butter, and lemon juice. A few are mostly water. Wouldn’t that actually dry the meat out a bit? ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2006, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-sick-turkey-what-sort-of-iv-would-you-want/381300/6 "2006-11-21T18:59:40Z")
I would suggest a handful of fresh rosemary shoved into the cavity of the bird. It gives the meat a nice savory flavor, and adds a good zest to the drippings for gravy. You could also add a couple tablespoons of real butter (not margarine) in there with it. A little garlic and some onion would add to the appeal. I know this is getting away from the injection thing, but it makes for a tasty bird. Rosemary + Poultry = Yummy. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2006, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-sick-turkey-what-sort-of-iv-would-you-want/381300/7 "2006-11-21T19:26:09Z")
I’d probably just go with a reinforcement of the traditional Thanksgiving flavors. I suppose the flavorings in the stuffing would be my guideline, too. After all, you still have to make gravy with the drippings and you might not want to use a citrus injection (Orange Juice and mashed Potatoes …not so great.) I’d probably throw together a stick of melted butter, two cups of Chicken or Turkey Broth, three tablespoons of Poultry Seasoning, 2 tablespoons of salt, and a teaspoon of MSG. That would probably make for a very moist and subtly flavored turkey. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2006, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-sick-turkey-what-sort-of-iv-would-you-want/381300/8 "2006-11-21T19:40:41Z")
[QUOTE=devilsknew] I’d probably just go with a reinforcement of the traditional Thanksgiving flavors. I suppose the flavorings in the stuffing would be my guideline, too. After all, you still have to make gravy with the drippings and you might not want to use a citrus injection (Orange Juice and mashed Potatoes …not so great.) [/QUOTE] But orange juice and bread stuffing = to die for! (As I discovered making chicken a l’orange as a kid) ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2006, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-sick-turkey-what-sort-of-iv-would-you-want/381300/9 "2006-11-21T19:45:02Z")
[QUOTE=BiblioCat] I would suggest a handful of fresh rosemary shoved into the cavity of the bird. It gives the meat a nice savory flavor, and adds a good zest to the drippings for gravy. You could also add a couple tablespoons of real butter (not margarine) in there with it. A little garlic and some onion would add to the appeal. [/QUOTE] Actually, I’m already planning on that. As well as celery, sage, thyme, and a whole lot of bread. Yes, they say that stuffing is evil, but when your oven can barely fit a 10 pound bird in the first place, you have to use what space you can. Besides, bread stuffing cooked inside the bird is better than sex. I like the idea of the stock/herb injection. I don’t want to clog up the syringe, so maybe I can steep them in the stock first, then strain it. Orange mashed potatoes, drooooooooool…