15 Best Meat Injector Reviews and Buying Guide

Spring is just around the corner and the endless barbecues and backyard grilling are about to start. As such, it is also the season when meat marinade injectors come out to enrich the flavor and tenderness of our favorite grilled meats.

To that end, having one right about now can be handy for all your future grill plans. 

If you are looking for the best meat injector for those barbecue days and nights, this post will roundup everything that you need to know about choosing one. This post also highlights some of the best meat injectors that you can consider later so read on.  

What is a meat injector?

If you have seen this large syringe hidden in one of those kitchen drawers, then you have seen what a meat injector looks like. But what does it do? 

Basically, a meat marinade injector is used to stuff the meat with more moisture and flavor from the inside. Whenever we bake or grill meat, we only rub the seasoning and marinade mixture on the outside. Because of this, there is not much flavor when we taste the grilled meat. With a meat injector, you are sure that the meat gets an even flavor and tenderness. 

15 Best meat injector reviews

• Best overall: Grill Sergeant
• Best budget: Ofargo Plastic Marinade Injector
• Best stainless-steel: Miusco Stainless Steel Meat Marinade Injector Kit
• Best gun: Spit Jack Magnum Meat Injector Gun
• Best for BBQ: Finnkare Meat Injector
• Best turkey: Premiala Meat Injector
• Best meat injector for brisket: Mercier Stainless Steel Meat Injector
• Best electric: RibasuBB Electric Meat Injector
• Best with measurements: OXO Flavor Injector
• Best professional: DIMESHY Stainless Steel Meat Injector
• Best with hose: Monster Kitchen Meat Injector
• Best with baster: Norpro Deluxe Baster with Injector and Brush

Best overall

#1. Grill Sergeant

The major plus of this meat injector is its durable stainless-steel build. No matter how frequent you use it or for how long, it is not vulnerable to staining and rusting. It also has a 2.5ounce capacity which is enough for large portion meats like a Thanksgiving turkey. 

Another upside is its six accompanying needles, 17 silicone rings and sleek travel case. Most importantly, it is easy to detach and is also dishwasher friendly.

Plus, it comes with additional 4 cleaning brushes, so everything is covered with this one. As such, it deserves a 4.8 out of 5. 

Grill Beast 304

The major plus of this meat injector is its durable stainless-steel build. No matter how frequent you use it or for how long, it is not vulnerable to staining and rusting. It also has a 2-ounce capacity which is enough for large portion meats like a Thanksgiving turkey. 

Another upside is its three accompanying needles: two 6-inch needles (one with a narrower tip and one with a wider one for larger meats) and a 3-inch needle for thin sliced meats. Most importantly, it is easy to detach and is also dishwasher friendly, so everything is covered with this one. As such, it deserves a 4.8 out of 5. 

Best budget meat injector

#2. Ofargo Plastic Marinade Injector

Do not fret about its plastic build because it is sturdier than it looks. Its fill capacity is one ounce but its major upside is that it has all the measurements you will need for whatever filling you have there. Its handles are also ergonomic enough for easy one hand maneuvering. 

Aside from this, it also comes with two stainless needles. One is for pure liquid marinade while the other one is for marinade with chunky ingredients (like garlic and other herbs and spices).

You can keep the needles on the sides after use as it has a storage chamber there for the needles. It is also dishwasher safe so overall, it deserves a 4.8 out of 5 for the budget category. 

#3. Bayou Classic Meat Injector

This is another budget pick that surely comes at par with the rest. It has a stainless-steel build and comes with two needles that are good for minced marinade and pure liquid marinade.

It also comes with a protective cap to seal it after use. It is however, not dishwasher friendly and does not come with a product warranty. Nonetheless, it is a good choice for novice grillers. Overall, this one is a 4.4 out of 5. 

Best stainless-steel meat injector

#4. Miusco Stainless Steel Meat Marinade Injector Kit

Its most posh feature is its transparent measuring window for more accurate filling and its durable stainless-steel build. This is beneficial if you are cooking recipes that need accurate measurements. It comes with two needles and an ergonomic handle. It also has a high filling capacity of 1.5 ounces.

While it does not come with a cleaning brush, it is easy to clean with soap and water. It is

also dishwasher safe so you can throw it in along with the pans. With these, this one gets 

a 4.7 out of 5. 

Best meat injector gun

#5. Spit Jack Magnum Meat Injector Gun

You would usually find an injector gun in cooking competitions but if you want that pro feel, this is the meat injector gun for that. The best thing about this is that it comes in a complete package.

There is the gun, four marinating needles, three types of cleaning brushes enclosed in a fashionable, portable case. 

This one is perfect for chunkier meats as it could fill through 5.5 inches deep. You can use the needle with the slanted tip for smaller meats and if you have more than chunky meats, use the largest needle for that. Replacement parts for this are easy to get too and that is a major upside. This one is a 5 out of 5. 

#6. Butcher BBQ Pistol Grip Meat Injector

This one is not just good with BBQs but for all types of meat. It has a pistol design and the barrel has measurements.

It comes with a 2-ounce barrel capacity, 5-inch penetration and three needles. The grip is also commendable for its steady control. 

While it is not dishwasher compatible, it is easy to clean with just soap and water. Overall, this one is an easy 4.5 out of 5. 

Best meat injector for BBQ

#7. Finnkare Meat Injector

If you are looking for a complete BBQ essential, this is the best meat injector kit for the job. It is a 3-piece kit which includes two needles for the injector, a pair of shredding claws and a pair of heat resistant gloves. In terms of the build, it is highly durable with its 304 stainless steel body. 

As for cleaning and maintenance, it is dishwasher safe. The shredding claws are made of high-grade plastic that is FDA approved and BPA free. Overall, it is a dependable BBQ injector that deserves a 4.8 out of 5. 

Best turkey injector

#8. Premiala Meat Injector

Large meat chunks like the Thanksgiving turkey need a durable and dependable meat injector and this one is definitely a good choice. It comes with two 6-inch needles; one for pure liquid marinade and one for those with thicker purees.  The third needle is for finer sliced meats like kebabs. 

You know that it is for heavy duty work because its stainless-steel build would not let it corrode or rust. It also comes with five O-rings for more accessible needle attachments.

Plus, the replacement parts are easy to access and it comes with a posh case so you would not have to worry about anything. Overall, this one deserves a 5 out of 5. 

Best meat injector for brisket

#9. Mercier Stainless Steel Meat Injector

Aside from its sleek, stainless steel look, you will love it for grilling large brisket slabs. You can depend on it for its high-grade stainless steel build. It will not rust, corrode, bend or break.

It has a 2-ounce plunger that could go deep at 6-inches, making it a prime choice for briskets, turkey, lamb, and goose. 

Its sturdy barrel comes with three rings for easier refilling and an ergonomic handle for better control. It also comes with three needles for multifunction use. Overall, this one deserves a 4.8 out of 5. 

Best electric meat injector

#10. RibasuBB Electric Meat Injector

This one is a 50W electric meat injector that is good for small and large cut meats. It features a 5.5 filling depth, ergonomic handles, three needles and powerful suction.

The needles are also anti shed, and one is a 9-hole needle for minced marinade. It also comes with a stainless steel filter for easy cleaning. All you need to do is plug it in and use it.  So overall, this one is a 4.6 out of 5. 

Best meat injector with measurements

#11. OXO Flavor Injector

Newbie grillers need a meat injector with measurements that are accurate and easy to read. To this end, you might want to consider this meat injector.

Aside from the clear measurements, it also comes with 2-ounces capacity. As such, even if its build is hard plastic, it does not fall short when it comes to performance.

Aside from this, it is lightweight and easy to control. It comes with two needles for liquid and thicker marinades.

It is made of BPA free plastic and although it is not suitable for dishwashers, it is easily cleaned with hot water and soap. This one gets a 4.7 out of 5. 

Best professional meat injector

#12. DIMESHY Stainless Steel Meat Injector

This heavy duty meat injector is something to consider when it comes to professional grade meat injectors. It is built with the sturdiest 304 stainless steel so you can depend on it for its durability.

Its barrel has a high filling capacity of 2-ounce, reducing time for refills. It also comes with three professional grade needles for easily puncturing the meat deep through. 

This one is truly a superior seasoning and marinade injector. It also comes with added three silicone O-rings. It is also dishwasher safe but also comes with cleaning brushes. Overall, this one deserves a 4.8 out of 5.

Best meat injector with hose

#13. Monster Kitchen Meat Injector

This one comes with a 2-ounce filling hose which is ideal for home use and small restaurants. It has a very durable build with its commercial grade stainless steel. It comes as a complete kit with three needles, a plunger, a barrel and a barrel hose. 

It is sturdy enough to fill all types of meat from chicken, brisket, turkey, lamb and goose. It is also one of the most well-reviewed meat injectors thanks to its 30-day return policy and lifetime warranty. As such, this one deserves a 4.8 out of 5. 

#14. Chop’s Power Injector

If you want to go all out on the injection hose, this product is the one for you. It is a hose attached to a bottle where the marinade mixture is filled.

It comes with four needles for greater coverage and for more purpose. At an average, it is two to three times faster when it comes to meat injecting compared to traditional meat injectors. 

For safety, the product also comes with four needle caps and three plug screws. It is good for large slabs of meat like turkey, lamb, and beef brisket.

It is made of BPA free, high-grade plastic. Overall, this one is a 4.8 out of 5. 

Best meat injector with baster

#15. Norpro Deluxe Baster with Injector and Brush

This 2-in-1 meat injector and baster is a prime choice for you to consider. It comes with a 1.5-ounce filling capacity and is suitable for home use.

Its upsides include a powerful suction which you can use in getting the juice and oil from sausages and butter to be later on used as a baster for the meat. 

It also comes with an injector and a cleaning brush. And since it is made of stainless steel, expect for it to be sturdy. Overall, this one is a 4.7 out of 5 in the baster category. 

Best meat injectors – Buying guide

Choosing an appliance, gadget or kitchen tools like a meat injector is never fail proof. But if you know what to look for, you will also know where to look for them. Here are the key features that you should look for in a meat injector. 

#1. Build

Since it is about food handling and preparation, choose the meat injector with the best food grade materials and with an ergonomic design.

As such, stainless steel meat injectors are still on the frontline choice. But the ergonomic handling and durable plastic build of some are commendable too.

#2. Filling capacity

Filling the meat with marinade is the main function of a meat injector. With this, you must choose the one with the most filling capacity especially if you are frequently dealing with chunky meats. Your meat injector should be at least 1.5 ounce and up. 

#3. Needles and accessories

The best meat injectors must come with three or more needles, each for different types of meat slabs. An accompanying cleaning brush, a side storage, and a case where you could put everything in are also major upsides. 

#4. Performance

By this feature we mean, how well it could penetrate through the meat in different places. They should not also have clogging and getting stuck issues. It should also be tough for soft and chunkier slabs of meat. Durability is also a feature to look for. 

#5. Maintenance

It is always a plus if the meat injector is low maintenance and easy to clean. As such, you should consider the ones that are dishwasher friendly or those that could easily be cleaned by soap and hot water mixture. 

#6. Budget

The good thing about meat injectors is that you can have a good one at just $50 including needles and other accessories. Sure, you could buy one less than that but you will still cash out some bucks for extra needles and storage so be mindful about this one. 

#7. Warranty

Sometimes, the kit may have mispacked parts or they may be damaged or in bad shape or missing parts. When this happens, it is beneficial to buy a meat injector with warranty. A lifetime warranty is a major plus. 

How to use a meat injector

When using a meat injector, the first thing that you need to know is how to use the needles or better yet, when to use them. The simple answer is, when you are working on a pure liquid marinade, attach the needle with a narrower, slanter tip. If it is a marinade with garlic chunks and other herb puree, choose the one with holes. 

As soon as you attached the right needles, you must inject the syringe in as many spots as you can so that the meat becomes flavorful inside. If it is a single-entry needle, you will need to inject the meat 3-4 times in different directions. If you are using a multi-entry needle, you just need to mark the directions you first injected and repeat it injecting into them twice or thrice. 

After injecting the meat, wrap it using foil or cling wrap and let it sit on the fridge for a couple of hours. Detach the needles and wash the meat injector with soap or in the dishwasher. Note that not all meat injectors are safe to put in the dishwasher. Make sure that you check dishwashing compatibility before throwing it in the washer. 

Best meat injector – FAQs

Do meat injectors really work?

Yes, they do work. Meat injectors enhance the grilled meat by making sure that all the extra moisture and flavor gets through and deep into the meat.

It is like a next level salt brining because you could now easily inject in your choice of marinade as well as pureed herbs and spices. It gives an even distribution of this moisture and flavor to the meat that typical marinating by soaking cannot give. 

Can you inject meat while smoking?

Nope. The best interval is smoking five minutes after injecting the meat. This way, you are sure that the moisture and flavors are well distributed before the meat tenderizes when smoked and that the herbs and spices have deeply penetrated through. 

Do I need a meat injector?

If you are frequently in front of the griller for family events and cookouts, then yes, you need a meat injector.

Marinating by soaking does not always ensure an even tenderization and moisture inside the meat slab and if you want to offer your family and friends a gourmet experience every time you grill, then sure, you need one. Plus, meat injectors do not make a large dent on the pocket. Might as well have one. 

Aside from this, here are some of the benefits of having a meat injector in the kitchen. 

Tenderizing: Simply marinating the meat only tenderizes the outside but meat injectors do more than that. The meat injector functions by dispensing the brine and marinade mixture inside at an even distribution. 

Reduced cooking time: As we have already mentioned, it does not only inject flavor but also moisture deep down. As such, cooking time is reduced because it has all the moisture it needs for it to be cooked well inside as well as outside. 

Multifunctional: If you have a meat injector in the kitchen, you can use it for other purposes aside from injecting flavor to the meat. You can also use it in filling wine to fruits and chocolates and in dispensing filling to doughnuts and other pastries. 

Affordability: You will not need much when it comes to buying meat injectors. You can buy a dependable one for as low as $30-50. If you want more heavy-duty injectors with more accessories, you can have them for as low as $80-100. If you want the full-blown commercial grade or the gun or hose type, you can get one for as low as $120. 

Handy: They are very useful in the kitchen also because they are lightweight, portable, and easy to store. You do not need to be a pro cook to use it. You can easily assemble and disassemble it.  

Safety: All meat injectors are built and assembled using only FDA approved, food-grade materials. With this, you are sure that your food is not contaminated with harmful chemicals. Cleaning it properly after use is also a good measure to maintain its safety. 

Injecting vs marinating

The prime difference between these two meat preparations would be, injecting is for filling the meat with marinade while marinating means soaking the meat into a liquid mixture with herbs and spices. Both, nonetheless, aim for tender, juicier and flavorful grilled meat. 

Smaller chunks of meat are best marinated because they can really soak in the flavor within. Larger slabs of meat would need meat injectors for a more even flavor. When you soak larger meat chunks, the tendency is for one side to be more soaked than the other, making the other side and the insides bland. 

Our Verdict

The feature list of the best meat injectors are prime choices for different categories. But with all things considered, we give our highest commendation to our overall pick, the Grill Sergeant. First, it is made of 304 stainless steel. And although most of the ones featured here have the same construction, this one lives up to it as it does not wear, does not stain, and does not rust. 

It also has a dependable plunger and a barrel with a 2-ounce capacity. It comes with complete accessories including three needles. It also comes in a sleek, ergonomic design featuring good grip for better control. It is everything you need for a meat injector: low-key but functional and in a good price range. 

Runner ups for the best meat injector would be the heavy duty Premiala, the best meat injector gun kit from Spit Jack, the best budget pick Ofargo and the large capacity meat injector hose from Chop’s Power Injector System.