To Baste or Not To Baste the Turkey

[salonghorn-70]

That is the question.

I know that there are pros and cons both ways. There are those who say that basting doesn't make the turkey more tender because the basting liquid doesn't seep in deep enough. Another con is that you are lowering the temp of your stove. Others swear by it. I've done both.

With me I think that it is more psychological. I just get good vibes from basting the bird every 30 min or so. It makes me happy.

What do you do?

 

[DallasCowpoke]

I'm a master baster.

 

[LdyLnghrn]

I slow cook mine for HOURS in an electric roaster. By the time I'm ready to serve it, it is so moist and tender that I cannot even lift it out of the roaster, because the meat has completely separated from the bones. Plus, it frees up my oven so I can cook my dressing and side dishes.

 

[pulque]

Please scrub your hands...

 

[Smurfette]

Just use a boil n bag.

 

[scottsins]

brine the turkey.

 

[Perham1]

Here's what I've heard:

Brining is so-so. There may be a "placebo effect" in that some briners think it really helps. It probably doesn't.

Basting is good but it may take too much work.

As always, please consult Mr. Harold McGee for the final word on kitchen science.

Those "boil in bags" sound interesting. I may have to try those. Does it yield a crispy skin? Doesn't sound like it.

 

[MAROON]

brining works...those that say it doesn't aren't doing it correctly.

 

[Perham1]

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[TRRW#31]

I've done both, and they come out the same. The problem is that the skin keeps the juices in and out. I just follow the basic cooking steps for a turkey, and they always come out good. If basting makes you happy than baste.

 

[Perham1]

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