Here is a quick and easy turkey basting recipe with melted butter and tasty herbs that will help you make the perfect Thanksgiving turkey! Read on to learn everything you need to know about basting turkey for your next holiday dinner.
Basting a turkey with butter is one of the best ways to keep the meat moist, tender and full of flavor The buttery baste helps prevent the turkey from drying out while also allowing the butter and any added herbs or spices to thoroughly penetrate the meat With just a few simple preparations, you can butter baste your turkey to crispy, golden perfection.
Why Baste with Butter
Basting is the process of spooning or brushing liquids over the turkey as it roasts This serves several purposes
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Moisturizes – Basting helps keep the turkey meat from drying out. The melted butter penetrates the meat, keeping it tender and juicy.
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Flavors – Butter on its own lends richness, but you can also mix in herbs, spices, citrus, garlic, etc. to add layers of flavor to the meat.
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Browns – Basting promotes even browning of the skin as the sugars in the butter caramelize.
Butter is one of the most popular basting choices because of its high fat content. The fat helps retain and distribute moisture. Butter also delivers unbeatable flavor.
How to Make Flavored Butter for Basting
Making flavored butter is easy:
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Soften the butter to room temperature to make mixing easier
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Whip using a fork or spoon until smooth and creamy
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Mix in any herbs, spices, citrus zest, garlic, etc.
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Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld
Get creative with your own signature turkey baste! Some easy ideas:
- Lemon thyme butter
- Rosemary garlic butter
- Brown butter with sage
- Compound butter with orange zest
Making a flavored butter the day before gives the flavors time to develop. You can also freeze extras to use later.
Preparing the Turkey for Basting
Proper turkey prep ensures the basting butter penetrates deeply and evenly:
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Pat dry – Blot the turkey with paper towels inside and out to remove excess moisture that can block butter absorption.
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Loosen skin – Slide your fingers under the breast skin to separate it from the meat. Rub butter mix directly onto meat.
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Season – Generously coat the cavity and under the skin with salt and pepper to boost flavor.
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Insert aromatics – Stuff cavity with onion, herbs, garlic, lemon wedges, etc. Their flavors will permeate the meat.
Basting Butter Technique
Follow these tips for basting success:
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Roast turkey uncovered at 350°F until half cooked. The high initial heat crisps the skin.
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Lower heat to 325°F, cover with foil, and roast for 1-1 1/2 hours more. Steam keeps meat moist.
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Remove foil and start basting every 30 minutes until done. Direct heat and basting browns the skin.
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Use a turkey baster or large spoon to scoop up butter and pan drippings. Tilt turkey and spoon over each area.
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Baste thighs, legs, wings, and breasts, covering every surface. Focus on thicker parts that require more moisture.
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Pour any leftover butter over turkey just before serving. Adds one final burst of flavor!
How to Know When Turkey is Done
Checking temperature is the most reliable test for doneness:
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Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, avoiding bone.
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Turkey is done when it reaches 165°F-175°F. The butter baste helps it stay juicy even when thoroughly cooked.
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Let rest 15-20 minutes before carving so juices redistribute evenly.
The buttery baste helps prevent overcooking and produces a tender, succulent bird bursting with flavor in every bite. Crispy browned skin encases the juicy interior.
With these simple tips, you can butter baste your turkey to perfection. Enjoy your most moist, delicious holiday bird yet this year!
Need Help Cooking The Perfect Turkey?
Be sure to check out our Ultimate Guide to Cooking a Turkey!
What Do You Baste Turkey With
Melted butter, a splash of broth, and lots of herbs are the best things to use to baste your turkey. Some people also like to use the bacon fat or juices from the bottom of the roasting pan to baste their turkey. In either case, it is very important to keep adding extra water to all parts of the turkey so that the meat is juicy on the inside and golden brown on the outside. We also use aluminum foil to cover the turkey while it rests after cooking.
How to Baste a Turkey : How to Add First Butter Turkey Basting
FAQ
What is the best way to baste a turkey?
How do you get butter to stick to raw turkey?
Do you put butter on top or under turkey skin?
Is it better to baste a turkey with butter or oil?
Does basting a turkey make a good Turkey?
Similar to using a turkey brine, basting isn’t absolutely necessary to make a good turkey, but it can make a better turkey! Just ask Ree Drummond whose a big believer in the power of basting. Ree coats her roasted Thanksgiving turkey in butter infused with orange peel, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
How do you Bast a roasted turkey?
Ree coats her roasted Thanksgiving turkey in butter infused with orange peel, rosemary, salt, and pepper. As it melts and combines with the turkey drippings, it becomes liquid gold for basting the bird. The result is a juicy, seasoned turkey with golden brown skin. Does basting a turkey keep it moist?
Do you have to Baste a turkey breast?
When you baste the breasts with the liquid in the bottom of the roasting pan, the liquid slows down the rate at which the breasts cook so they’re not done before the thighs. Second, the fat in the cooking liquid caramelizes and turns the skin evenly golden brown and crispy. To be clear, you don’t have to baste your turkey.
How do you keep a Turkey moist?
The only sure fire way to keep a turkey moist is to not overcook it. That’s where a meat thermometer comes in! But basting a turkey can help give you the tastiest skin of all time. A periodic butter bath helps brown the skin and infuse it with salty, buttery, herbaceous flavor. At what point do you start basting a turkey?
How do you cook a turkey breast in the oven?
When you do baste the bird, be sure to work quickly. Remove the roasting pan from the oven, making sure to close the oven immediately to trap the heat. Swiftly use a baster or spoon (more on that below) to drench the breast in the juices. Quickly return the turkey to the oven and continue cooking.
How do you make Turkey skin crispy?
The easiest way to get that slight crispy, deeply-golden brown skin is simple: Crack open a jar of mayonnaise from the supermarket. Applying a thick layer of the creamy stuff right before the bird goes into the oven will ensure picture-perfect skin every time (make sure to hashtag your Instagrams #TurkeyTakeover).