When to Baste the Turkey for a Perfectly Cooked Bird

Every item on this page was chosen by a The Pioneer Woman editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

Let’s have a turkey talk! After all, Thanksgiving is right around the corner so you might already be planning out your holiday feast. Once you decide how much turkey you need per person and when exactly you need to order a turkey, the next step includes finding a turkey recipe that’s right for you. Maybe youre in favor of roasting, frying, or even grilling a turkey, but no matter how you prepare it, you wont want to forget about basting the turkey. Thats right! Basting is an easy step to ensure your Thanksgiving main course comes out perfect every time.

A technique that involves periodically spooning, brushing, or pouring juices on a turkey while it cooks, basting is one of those age-old practices that causes some division. Some cooks believe it is absolutely crucial to a golden, juicy, flavorful bird. Others think its a waste of time. Similar to using a turkey brine, basting isnt 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. As it melts and combines with the turkey drippings, it becomes liquid gold for basting the bird. The result is a juicy, seasoned turkey with golden brown skin.

Basting is an integral part of cooking a moist, flavorful turkey. It involves spooning juices over the turkey as it roasts to help keep it tender and browned. But when exactly should you start basting your Thanksgiving bird? Follow these timing tips to baste your turkey at just the right moments.

Why Basting Is Important

Basting serves a few key purposes:

Moistens the turkey breast meat so it stays juicy
Allows fat to penetrate and crisp the skin
Flavors the meat with juices from the bottom of the pan

Skipping basting can lead to dried out breast meat and soft skin.

How Often to Baste

For best results, baste the turkey every 30-45 minutes during the last 1-2 hours of roasting time. Basting too often lets too much heat escape from the oven, slowing down cooking.

Here’s a sample basting timeline if roasting a 15 lb turkey for 3-4 hours total:

2 hours in – Start basting every 45 mins
2 hrs 45 mins – Baste
3 hrs 30 mins – Baste
4 hrs 15 mins – Baste and remove turkey

Baste 3-4 times towards the end for perfectly moist seasoned meat.

Basting Too Early Can Be Problematic

It’s best to hold off on basting until the last hour or two of roasting. Here’s why:

Earlier basting slows cooking and lets heat escape.
Turkey doesn’t release enough drippings to baste with at first.
Skin may not be browned enough to benefit from basting.

Wait until the turkey is nearly done before commencing basting,

How to Know When to Start Basting

A few signs your turkey is nearly ready for basting:

Turkey thigh reads 160°F on a meat thermometer
Skin is browned and starting to crisp
Ample juices have accumulated in the bottom of the pan

Once you see these signs, start spooning those juices over the breast every 30-45 minutes.

Have Everything Ready Beforehand

To make basting go smoothly:

Prepare aromatics for the baste liquid like butter, herbs, citrus
Use a turkey baster or large spoon
Have oven mitts handy
Keep the oven door ajar just long enough to baste

This will allow you to work quickly and efficiently.

Adjust Basting for a Crowded Oven

If oven space is limited with multiple dishes, wait until the very end to baste:

Baste just 2-3 times in the last 30 minutes
Use a brush to lightly coat with butter instead of pan juices
Keep the oven closed as much as possible

This prevents excessive heat loss.

Skip Basting If You Want Crispier Skin

Some cooks prefer to skip basting altogether for ultra crisp skin:

Pat turkey dry before roasting
Loosen skin and rub butter underneath
Cook turkey uncovered on a rack the whole time

The drier heat will crisp the skin without softening from basting.

Watch the Temperature

Always use a meat thermometer to determine doneness instead of basting time. Stop basting once:

Breast reaches 160°F
Thigh reaches 175°F
Drumsticks reach 180°F

This prevents overcooking or drying out the meat.

Make Delicious Baste Liquids

To add flavor, combine:

Melted butter or olive oil
Fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, sage
Citrus juice and zest
Wine, stock, or cider
Spices like garlic, onion, pepper

Use this to generously baste the hot turkey.

Let the Turkey Rest Afterwards

Once the turkey reaches optimal temperature, remove it from the oven and let it rest 20-30 minutes before carving. This allows juices to redistribute for tender, juicy meat.

Basting helps make the perfect turkey – moist, seasoned, and browned. Follow these tips on when to start and stop basting based on temperature cues. With the right timing, your holiday bird will be a marvelous centerpiece.

when to baste the turkey

How often should you baste a turkey?

Basting a turkey every 30 to 45 minutes is standard, especially if you wait until the last hour or so of cooking to begin basting. Remember that basting too often can greatly increase the turkeys cook time, so dont baste anymore often than every 30 minutes. When you do baste the bird, be sure to work quickly. Remove the roasting pan from the oven, making sure to close the oven immediately to trap the heat. Swiftly use a baster or spoon (more on that below) to drench the breast in the juices. Quickly return the turkey to the oven and continue cooking.

The turkey isnt done until it’s cooked to 165 degrees on an instant read thermometer. Got extra liquid in the bottom of the pan? Dont worry, that golden goodness is what makes for a delicious turkey gravy. Save any extra drippings and pour into a measuring cup. Skim off the fat on top and use it to add flavor to your favorite gravy recipe.

Does basting a turkey keep it moist?

The only sure fire way to keep a turkey moist is to not overcook it. Thats where a meat thermometer comes in! But basting a turkey can help give you the tastiest skin of all time. A periodic butter bath helps brown the skin and infuse it with salty, buttery, herbaceous flavor.

How To Baste a Turkey

FAQ

When should you start basting a turkey?

Does basting the turkey make it moister?

Basting not only makes a negligible difference in moisture loss but also prolongs the cooking time and requires more hands-on work. For a really juicy turkey, we prefer a more hands-off approach such as brining or salting, which not only helps turkey retain moisture but also seasons the bird.

What is best to baste a turkey with?

Mix 100g softened butter with the grated zest of 1 lemon, 1 tbsp chopped thyme, 2 tbsp chopped parsley and 1 finely chopped garlic clove. Loosen the skin on the turkey breast with your fingers and push the butter under, covering the breast.