do you actually use a turkey baster?

Question

im new to this...do you keep the turkey moist with the juices that already seeped into the pan? and how often are you supposed to do it?

Answer 1

Yes, to baste

Answer 2

I do use a turkey baster - it keeps the turkey moist. It's a good idea to baste the turkey at least once during the cooking process, as it does help the turkey brown nicely too. But if you butter the turkey first (learned from Julia Child's) that helps.

Cover the turkey and when you uncover to brown, baste the turkey. Some people will inject the juices back into the turkey as well. I don't personally do that and my turkeys are not dry.

Answer 3

yeah, every 15 minutes or 30 minutes

people get wierd about cooking a turkey these days, it being a dead bird and all that.

Get a large one, nice effect and plenty of food. Throw away all those guts inside, rinse it, make and use stuffing if you want too. Otherwise just salt and pepper and olive oil.

Then put foil on the top of it for the first hour. Cook 15 minutes a pound. baste it when you think of it. Turn up the heat 50 degrees or so for the last 30 minutes so it gets dark golden brown and crispy.

I have cooked about 100 of them. My family often asks me to cook the turkey.

Answer 4

I do use a turkey baster, about every half-hour to an hour. Sometimes I'll add a bit more butter or oil, as well, to the breast of the meat. I also use some of the turkey liquid for making other dishes, like dressing and mashed potatoes.

Answer 5

I cover the turkey with tin foil until the last hour when I remove it so that the turkey can brown. In the mean time I lift the foil about once every hour and baste it with the drippings at the bottom of the pan.

Answer 6

Yes, to baste or not to baste, that is the question. Use the baster to spread the juices in the bottom of the pan. This may take some practice, but soon you will become a masterbaster.

Answer 7

Using an oven bag appropriate to the size of the turkey will eliminate the need for basting. Adding a little liquid will prevent any drying out and will make the meat fall-off-the-bone tender. I always add a little chicken broth and pineapple juice.

Answer 8

Basting adds to cooking time, which could still dry out your bird over time. I recommend looking at Alton Browns "Romancing the Bird" recipe or see if the show is going to be aired again before Thanksgiving on Food Network. I have cooked one using his recipe and technique and it came out wonderful. Whatever you do relax and remember it is about family and even with a worse case scenario you will make a memory that will last a life time!

Answer 9

LOL
My mom tried to cook a turkey in a brown paper bag once. It was the driest turkey we ever had. Our family laughed about that for years. But yes, you baste about every 45 min. to an hour of cooking time. Cover areas prone to burning with aluminum foil and it'll be fine. [breastbone, leg ends]

Answer 10

You really should use one, and baste the whole thing every half hour or so. You could also use a ladle if you don't want to buy the baster...the baster is just much easier.

Answer 11

I generally use a cooking bag, so no basting is needed. If you tent the turky with foil then you should baste it about once per hour plus give it a good basting before you take the foil off and give it its final baking to make it golden brown.