Do you add water to the turkey pan before you start cooking it?

Question

Alright, so I stuffed my turkey. But my question is, and please only if you know, am I supposed to add water the the turkey pan before I start cooking it or not? Or am I supposed to add somethng else? Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Yes. I put 1-2" water in bottom of pan. The additional juices from the turkey will add flavor.

Use this mixture to make gravy with a corn starch & water mixture slowly added to the boiling turkey broth until thickened as you like. For additional 'juice' for larger gravy batch, add chicken broth. Salt/pepper to your individual taste.

Answer 2

First of all Relax! Just think of the turkey as a giant chicken and you won't have as many problems. I either put the turkey on a rack to elevate it out of the grease and make it easier to get out of the pan. It may stick a little. If I am using the rack for something else I just lay 3 or 4 stalks of celery and a carrot or 2 in the bottom of the pan set the turkey on that and the veggies will elevate it enough. It will add a little extra flavor and just toss the veggies out when the turkey is done. You might want to keep some aluminum foil on hand to tent over the turkey if the breast is getting done you don't want it to dry out. Also I don't stuff the turkey I do the stuffing on the side. (So I guess that is "dressing" and not stuffing at that point.) the turkey cooks faster unstuffed. Good luck, have fun and don't forget to enjoy yourself. Most of all don't stress.

Answer 3

Pan For Turkey

Answer 4

Sorry, I disagree with most these answers. I have been making turkey for years and I never added water to the pan. The turkey cooks at 325 slow cooking. The pan drippings from the turkey you can use to baste it. If you feel motivated you can add a little water to the pan after the turkey starts to cook just to stretch out the pan drippings. One thing I do is rub my turkey with unsalted butter and season before it goes it the oven. That alone, provides enough pan drippings to baste. Good Luck and Happy Thanksgiving.

Answer 5

I always add a bit of water to the pan...of course this will depend on the size of your turkey. As the turkey cooks, its own juices will come out and if you put too much water in the pan...it will overflow. So just add enough so the turkey doesn not burn and stick to the bottom of the pan before it starts cooking. I would suggest no more than one half inch of water in the pan.

Answer 6

I always add some water to the pan. It keeps the bottom of the turkey from burning and if you have the turkey on a rack, the water will keep the drippings from scorching. I also line my pan with aluminum foil, it helps with clean up. The water in the bottom of the pan can then be used for basting and, when the turkey is ready for serving, to make gravy.

Answer 7

Happy Holiday Everybody:

Of Course add water and chicken broth, Haven't had time to watch-Rachael Ray or Martha Stewart well if you are like me a once in a while cooker. Chicken Broth goes a long way. You can buy it in a box or in a can in most any supermarkets. And when you are done feasting on that wonderful brown bird on Thanksgiving, because you basted it with the broth from the bottom of the pan, You can turn the leftovers into turkey soup also using Chicken broth, carrots, celery and rice. Good Luck and Enjoy the cooking, family, Friends or whoever fills your home for the day...........

Answer 8

Add about a half inch of water to the pan.You can also add chicken or turkey stock in place of water which will make your gravy even more flavourful.
Be sure to cook your turkey to 170-180 degrees.

Answer 9

Yes, add at least a couple of cups. Pour it directly over the turkey. At least every half an hour baste the turkey with the water and drippings. adding more water if it gets too low.

Answer 10

You can add water, or turkey or chicken broth to the pot, because that will make the turkey juicy. I know, because my mom taught me how to make good turkeys. Only add a little bit, like a half cup.