Baste for Turkey Recipe: Two Delicious Options to Keep Your Bird Moist and Flavorful

Check out this simple and quick recipe for Turkey Baste, loaded with melted butter and aromatic herbs, to help you prepare the ultimate Thanksgiving turkey! We’ll go over everything you need to know about basting turkey for your upcoming holiday feast.

Are you looking for the perfect baste for your Thanksgiving turkey? Look no further! We’ve compiled two amazing recipes from The Wooden Skillet and Oma Darling to help you achieve a juicy, flavorful bird that will impress your guests.

The Wooden Skillet’s Turkey Baste Recipe:

This simple yet flavorful recipe is a go-to for many home cooks. It’s quick to make and uses readily available ingredients, making it perfect for even the busiest cooks.

Ingredients:

  • 3-4 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons chicken broth (or turkey broth)
  • 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon garlic, minced or grated
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley leaves

Instructions:

  1. Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan.
  2. Let the butter melt and stir to combine.
  3. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  4. Use a basting brush or turkey baster to apply the baste to your turkey every 30-45 minutes.

Tips:

  • Feel free to make the baste ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat before using.
  • Don’t baste more often than every 30-40 minutes, as opening the oven too frequently can cause heat loss.

Oma Darling’s Basting Sauce for Roast Turkey:

This recipe is a Thanksgiving tradition for many families. It’s a bit more complex than The Wooden Skillet’s recipe, but the results are worth it. The combination of broth, butter, and fresh and dried herbs creates a deep and delicious flavor that will enhance your turkey.

Ingredients:

  • 1-1/2 cups chicken or turkey broth (if low sodium broth, may need to adjust salt in sauce)
  • 1 cup butter
  • 1-1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/4 cup chopped, fresh parsley (in a pinch, used dried)
  • 3 tbsp dried chives (fresh can also be used)
  • 1 tsp dried sage
  • 1 tsp dried rosemary
  • 1/2 tsp dried marjoram

Instructions:

  1. In a saucepan, add broth and butter and heat until butter is melted. Bring to a boil.
  2. Add all remaining ingredients, stirring to incorporate well.
  3. Remove from heat and set aside until ready to baste your turkey.
  4. No need to reheat before basting.

Tips:

  • Baste your turkey every 30 minutes.
  • Leftover basting sauce can be added to your gravy for extra flavor.

Additional Tips for Basting Your Turkey:

  • Start basting your turkey about 30 minutes after it goes into the oven.
  • Baste every 30-45 minutes until the turkey is cooked through.
  • Use a turkey baster or a basting brush to apply the baste.
  • Be careful not to over-baste, as this can make the skin soggy.

With these two delicious baste recipes, you’re sure to have a juicy and flavorful turkey that will be the star of your Thanksgiving meal. So get cooking and enjoy!

How To Make An Easy Turkey Baste Recipe

You can begin by gathering all of your ingredients.

baste for turkey recipe

Now combine these ingredients in a small saucepan and let the butter melt over a medium heat.

baste for turkey recipe

Continue mixing your baste to fully combine the melted herb butter.

baste for turkey recipe

Remove the baste from the heat, let it cool slightly, and pour into a small bowl. Open the oven door and use your favorite basting brush to apply this simple baste to your roasted turkey every 30-45 minutes to give your turkey a nice, crispy skin while it is on the roasting rack.

baste for turkey recipe

The Best Turkey Baste Recipe

To ensure that your delicious turkey doesn’t dry out, whether you are cooking it in the oven, on the grill, or in the smoker, you must always have a flavorful baste. We love making this recipe for our turkey every year for our holiday meal, and everyone always comments on how juicy and tender the turkey is! You can also use it for a spatchcock turkey or a turkey breast!

Need help cooking the perfect turkey? Make sure you check out our Ultimate Guide to Cooking a Turkey!

How To Baste a Turkey

FAQ

What do you baste the turkey with?

In the last hour of cooking, you can baste the turkey in additional melted butter or olive oil instead of the pan juices to really make sure that skin turns golden brown.

Should I baste my turkey with butter or oil?

Is it better to baste a turkey with butter or oil? Nothing beats butter! Olive oil can work great, too, but butter is more flavorful. Plus, it gives the skin a rich, golden color.

What should I baste with?

Basting simply means to cover the surface of the turkey, chicken, or whatever else you want to baste with a liquid. The liquid can be cooking juices from the pan, melted butter, a marinade, or other sauces. And they can be applied with a brush, ladle, or (of course) a turkey baster.

Does basting a turkey make a difference?

A perfect Thanksgiving turkey has tender, juicy meat and crisp, golden skin. Basting, or pouring hot pan juices over the turkey, adds moisture to the skin, which prevents it from crisping up nicely. Basting doesn’t add any flavor to the meat either. The juices usually run right off the bird back into the roasting pan.

How do you make a Turkey Baste?

Simply made with butter, lemon juice, and a few herbs, this baste recipe is quick to make, and adds a delicious flavor to your bird. It is best to forego the usual method of basting the turkey with pan drippings, which are mostly turkey juices and fat.

What is a good base for a Turkey Baste?

butter – a delicious base for a classic turkey baste recipe. chicken broth – perfect for adding moisture plus flavor! lemon juice – this splash of acidity helps to amplify all the great flavors. garlic – everything is better with a little garlic!

Do you need a Turkey Baste?

Whether you are making a whole, large turkey in the oven, on the grill, or on the smoker, it is always a must to have a flavorful baste to make sure your delicious turkey doesn’t dry out. This easy turkey baste can also be used for a turkey breast or a spatchcock turkey!

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.

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