This article will help you roast the ideal Christmas turkey by providing traditional basting instructions and brining tips to keep the meat moist.
Ensure your Christmas Day feast is a hit with our expert guide to turkey basting. Learn how to baste a turkey, plus three easy shortcuts that will save time on the big day. Advertisement.
See our infallible guide to turkey cooking for all the answers to your questions, and use our best-ever turkey recipes to plan the ultimate roast.
With the aid of our Christmas kitchen, find the answers to all your festive questions and get even more inspiration from our favorite Christmas dinner recipes.
What is turkey basting?
Basting a turkey is the process of spooning, squirting, or brushing the juices that accumulate in the roasting pan back over the meat as it cooks. This helps to keep the turkey moist and flavorful, and can also help to create a crispy skin.
Why is basting important?
While basting is a traditional technique, it’s important to understand that it doesn’t actually prevent the turkey from drying out. The key to a moist turkey is proper brining and cooking. However, basting can add flavor and help to create a crispy skin.
How to baste a turkey:
- Use a turkey baster: This is the most common method for basting a turkey. Simply insert the baster into the roasting pan and suck up the juices. Then, squirt the juices back over the turkey.
- Use a long-handled spoon: If you don’t have a turkey baster, you can use a long-handled spoon to scoop up the juices and pour them over the turkey.
- Use a brush: You can also use a brush to apply the juices to the turkey. This is a good option if you want to add a flavorful glaze or marinade.
Tips for basting a turkey:
- Baste the turkey every 30 minutes or so.
- Don’t baste the turkey too often, as this can make the skin soggy.
- Use a flavorful liquid for basting, such as butter, stock, or wine.
- Remove the bacon or herbs from the turkey before the last 30 minutes of cooking to allow the skin to crisp up.
- If you’re using a flavorful butter under the skin, use clarified butter to avoid a soggy skin.
3 easy ways to baste a turkey:
- Bacon baste: This is a classic basting method that adds a smoky flavor to the turkey. Simply fry some bacon until crispy, then mix it with softened butter and maple syrup. Shape the butter into a log and chill. Push slices of the butter under the turkey skin before roasting.
- Lemon & herb baste: This is a refreshing and flavorful basting option. Mix softened butter with lemon zest, thyme, parsley, and garlic. Loosen the skin on the turkey breast and push the butter under it.
- Red wine baste: This is a rich and flavorful basting option. Line a roasting pan with foil and place the turkey on top. Spread softened butter over the breast, grate nutmeg over it, and season well. Cover the breast with bacon rashers and pour red wine over it. Bring the sides of the foil up to create a parcel.
Basting a turkey is a simple technique that can help to create a moist and flavorful bird. While it’s not essential for a delicious turkey, it can add an extra touch of flavor and help to create a crispy skin.
Additional Resources:
- How to prepare and carve a turkey: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/how-prepare-carve-turkey
- The foolproof turkey guide: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/foolproof-turkey-guide
- How to make the ultimate turkey: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/turkey-recipes
- Turkey recipe collection: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/turkey-recipes
FAQs:
- What is the best way to baste a turkey?
There is no one “best” way to baste a turkey. The best method for you will depend on your personal preferences and the tools you have available. - How often should I baste a turkey?
You should baste the turkey every 30 minutes or so. - What kind of liquid should I use for basting?
You can use a variety of liquids for basting, such as butter, stock, wine, or even a flavorful marinade. - Do I need to use a turkey baster?
No, you don’t need to use a turkey baster. You can use a long-handled spoon or even a brush. - Can I baste a turkey with butter?
Yes, you can baste a turkey with butter. However, if you’re using a flavorful butter under the skin, use clarified butter to avoid a soggy skin.
How to baste a turkey
Make use of a turkey baster, which is a long tube with a suction bulb at the end that can be safely inserted into the hot roasting tin to remove any juices. If you don’t already have one, you should get a long-handled spoon to do the same task (search for less expensive versions at catering supply stores). You’ll find that this spoon is much more useful all year round.
Another option is to baste your turkey while it roasts by draping pancetta or bacon strips across its breast, or you can use a piece of muslin dipped in butter. But, do take these off for the last part of the cooking in order to brown the skin.
Pushing a flavoured butter under the skin before you roast the turkey is also a popular technique. But keep in mind that butter contains water, so you’ll need to use clarified butter if you do want crispier skin.
What does it mean to baste a turkey?
Basting entails covering the meat with something that will release fat while it cooks or spooning, squirting, or brushing the roasting tin’s juices back over it.
The meat of a self-basting turkey (found in supermarkets) will be much wetter as it cooks due to injections of a salt and flavor solution, but it won’t necessarily taste better.