What to Baste a Turkey With When Smoking

Smoking a turkey imparts incredible flavor but keeping the meat moist is a top priority. Basting is key for ensuring your smoked turkey stays juicy. But what’s the best liquid to baste your turkey with while it’s smoking? From butter to broth there are several options for making a flavorful turkey baste.

Why Baste a Smoked Turkey?

Basting helps a smoked turkey in two ways

• It keeps the meat moist and tender. Without basting, the turkey can dry out in the prolonged heat of the smoker.

• It adds extra flavor. Basting introduces new flavors and aromas to permeate the turkey as it smokes.

Basting gives moisture and flavor a direct route into the turkey meat. As the baste melts and caramelizes onto the skin, the flavors penetrate below the surface.

How Often to Baste a Smoking Turkey

For best results, baste the turkey every 30-45 minutes once it has smoked for one hour. Be quick when opening the smoker to prevent heat loss. Avoid basting in the last 30 minutes of smoking so the skin can crisp up.

Making a Flavored Butter Baste

Butter on its own can help keep a smoked turkey moist. But mixing spices, herbs, and other ingredients into the butter transforms it into a flavor-packed baste.

Compounded butter bastes are easy to make. Try any of these options:

Lemon-Herb Butter

Melt 1 cup butter and mix with lemon juice, dried parsley, sage, thyme, and garlic powder.

Citrus-Spice Butter

Combine melted butter with orange juice, lemon zest, dried rosemary, cumin, and cayenne pepper.

Brown Sugar Butter

Blend melted butter with brown sugar, maple syrup, chili powder, and cumin.

Sun-Dried Tomato Butter

Melt butter with rehydrated sun-dried tomatoes, basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes.

Bacon-Onion Butter

Saute chopped bacon and onions, then blend into melted butter.

Chipotle Butter

Puree chipotles in adobo sauce into room-temperature butter.

Garlic Butter

Simmer minced garlic in melted butter, then blend in oregano and parsley.

Using Broths and Juices for Basting

Instead of sticking with plain butter or oil, you can baste with flavorful liquids:

• Chicken or turkey broth – Enhance the meaty flavors.

• Fruit juices – Apple, orange, or pineapple juices provide tangy sweetness.

• Cider vinegar – The acidic vinegar helps break down tissue.

• Beer or wine – Complement with bourbon, beer, wine, or cider.

• Soda – Try basting with citrusy sodas like lemon-lime or ginger ale.

Thin out thick marinades with broth or juice to transform them into easy basting sauces. The possibilities are endless for making your own signature baste.

Preparing a Baste Injector

An injector needle lets you pump flavors directly into the turkey meat. Buy an injector or repurpose a large syringe without the needle tip.

Some ideas for injector marinades:

• Melted butter mixed with chicken broth

• Fruit juice blended with herbs and spices

• Brine liquid leftover from soaking the raw turkey

• Marinade featuring olive oil, citrus, garlic, and rosemary

Poke holes all over the turkey before injecting the marinade. Reseal holes with toothpicks. Refrigerate for 1 hour before smoking. Be careful not to over-inject, or the turkey may become soggy.

Basting Tips

• Choose a brush with heat-resistant silicone bristles or all-metal construction. Avoid using porous natural fiber brushes.

• When melting butter or simmering broth, avoid boiling to prevent evaporating the flavors.

• Lightly coat the turkey instead of heavily dousing it. Excess pooling liquid can make the skin soggy.

• Apply baste when the turkey is cool enough that the liquid won’t instantly roll off. Around 250-300°F is optimal.

• Close the smoker quickly after basting to preserve heat and smoke.

• Let the baste cool slightly so it thickens before applying. Super hot liquid will run right off.

• Add some reserved baste to the cooked turkey right before serving for extra moistness.

Should You Baste When Smoking Turkey Legs and Wings?

Smoked turkey legs and wings cook more quickly than a whole bird. The smaller cuts generally stay moist without basting. But it doesn’t hurt to quickly brush on some flavored butter or oil during the smoke. Just be careful when opening the smoker.

Baste Recipe for Smoked Turkey

This lemony herb baste adds bright flavor to smoked turkey:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dried sage
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1⁄4 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the lemon juice and zest, sage, parsley, thyme and garlic powder. Season with salt and pepper.

2. Cook for 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes.

3. Use a brush to lightly coat the turkey all over. Reapply every 30-45 minutes while smoking.

Get creative with homemade baste recipes to make your smoked turkey extra special. A well-basted bird will be moist, flavorful and delicious.