Preparing a juicy and flavorful turkey is an essential centerpiece for many special occasions. To achieve the perfect roasted turkey, basting it with a well-crafted sauce during the cooking process is a crucial step that enhances its taste and adds moisture. Whether you prefer a classic herb-infused butter, a tangy citrus glaze, or a rich gravy-based sauce, there are endless possibilities to tantalize your taste buds. With careful selection and application of the right basting sauce, you can transform your turkey into a masterpiece that will leave your guests craving for more. Discover a world of flavors and techniques as we explore the art of creating the best basting sauce for turkey, ensuring a culinary experience that will be fondly remembered.
Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!
SOY- AND BUTTER-BASTED TURKEY
If you're among the many people who say their favorite thing about Thanksgiving is the sides, we might suggest that the turkeys you've had haven't quite lived up to their potential? With this recipe, the bird isn't just the visual centerpiece of the feast, it's also the flavorful star of the show. The secret to this truly delicious bird lies in a few techniques such as dry-brining-the lowest-effort way to ensure big flavor and tender texture-and in basting on an umami-rich butter-and-soy sauce mixture that also gives you the makings for an absolutely luscious gravy. So use this recipe well and give your turkey the treatment it deserves-we think you'll be converted.
Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Side Dish
Time 15h
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- In small bowl, mix brown sugar, salt and pepper. Place turkey on rack in large roasting pan. If ovenproof plastic leg band is present, remove. Discard giblets and neck or reserve for another use. Using paper towels, pat dry skin and interior cavity. Rub turkey inside and out with sugar mixture. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate 24 hours. Stand up turkey to pour out any collected liquid in cavity. Pour off liquid collected in pan; return to refrigerator uncovered 12 to 24 hours longer.
- Heat oven to 325°F. Pat skin and interior cavity dry with paper towels. Fasten neck skin to back of turkey with skewer. Fold wings across back of turkey so tips are touching.
- Place turkey, back side down, on rack in roasting pan. In small bowl, mix 4 tablespoons of the melted butter and 2 tablespoons of the soy sauce. Brush entire breast side of turkey with half of the butter mixture. Turn turkey over. Brush entire back side of turkey with remaining butter mixture. Insert ovenproof meat thermometer so tip is in thickest part of inside thigh and does not touch bone.
- Roast uncovered, breast side down, 1 1/2 hours. In small bowl, mix remaining 2 tablespoons melted butter and 1 tablespoon soy sauce. Brush back side of turkey with half of the butter mixture. Using tongs and oven mitt, carefully turn turkey over. Brush turkey breast with remaining butter mixture. Roast 1 to 2 hours longer. Turkey is done when thermometer reads 165°F and drumsticks move easily when lifted or twisted. When turkey is done, place on warm platter; cover with foil to keep warm. Let stand about 15 minutes for easiest carving.
- While turkey rests, pour drippings from roasting pan into bowl, leaving brown particles in pan. Return 1/4 cup drippings to roasting pan; discard remaining drippings. Stir in flour and pepper. Cook over medium heat 1 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and bubbly. Cook 1 minute longer, then stir in broth. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 to 3 minutes or until thickened. Season gravy as desired. Serve carved turkey with the gravy.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 490, Carbohydrate 5 g, Cholesterol 205 mg, Fiber 0 g, Protein 60 g, SaturatedFat 9 g, ServingSize About 6 oz Turkey and 3 Tablespoons Gravy, Sodium 970 mg, Sugar 3 g, TransFat 1 g
TURKEY BASTING MIXTURE
With the American Thanksgiving and Christmas coming around the corner, this basting sauce works well for a whole turkey
Provided by Abby Girl
Categories Whole Turkey
Time 10m
Yield 1/2 cup
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Combine all the ingredients
- Pour over turkey.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 2269.4, Fat 217.3, SaturatedFat 30.1, Sodium 45.4, Carbohydrate 79.8, Fiber 5.3, Sugar 2.4, Protein 15.3
BASTING LIQUID
Use this basting liquid to make Black Lacquered Turkey.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Meat & Poultry Turkey Recipes
Yield Makes 6 cups
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In a medium sauce pan, combine gizzard, neck, heart, bay leaf, paprika, coriander, garlic, salt, and pepper with 4 cups water. Bring to a simmer, and continue to simmer until the turkey pieces are cooked through, about 20 to 25 minutes. Add apple cider, stir, and remove from heat.
HERBED TURKEY BREAST
Like many of you, I always serve turkey for our family's Thanksgiving meal. But instead of roasting a whole bird, I opt for a turkey breast since most of us prefer white meat. The herb butter basting sauce keeps it so moist, and it's easy to carve. -Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, Louisiana
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h40m
Yield 12 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 325°. In a small saucepan, combine the first 8 ingredients; bring to a boil. Remove from the heat. Place turkey in a shallow roasting pan; drizzle with butter mixture. , Bake, uncovered, until a thermometer reads 165°, 1-1/2 to 2 hours, basting every 30 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes before carving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 291 calories, Fat 11g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 112mg cholesterol, Sodium 192mg sodium, Carbohydrate 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 44g protein.
RED WINE BASTE
This is an easy to make, flavorful baste that will make your chicken crispy outside while holding in the juices. Red wine, butter, and seasonings combine to form this magical basting sauce. It's great on game hens too.
Provided by Ron
Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Sauce Recipes
Time 20m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the red wine, butter, garlic powder, poultry seasoning, sage, lemon juice and hot pepper sauce, if desired. Stir all together well and let simmer for about 10 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 85.6 calories, Carbohydrate 0.8 g, Cholesterol 20.3 mg, Fat 7.7 g, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 0.1 g, SaturatedFat 4.9 g, Sodium 57.3 mg, Sugar 0.2 g
BBQ TURKEY
I don't remember where my sister found this BBQ turkey recipe, but it quickly became a family favorite. From the zesty, flavorful sauce and crispy skin to the juicy and tender meat, it's the best Thanksgiving turkey I've ever tried. -Valerie Delano, Cascade, Montana
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 3h10m
Yield 24 servings (1-1/2 cups sauce).
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- In a large saucepan, saute onions and garlic in 1/4 cup oil until tender. Stir in the ketchup, water, syrup, vinegar, molasses, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, celery seed, pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon pepper and ginger. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes or until slightly thickened. Set aside 1-1/2 cups for serving., Remove giblets from turkey (discard or save for another use). Lightly oil the grill rack. Prepare grill for indirect heat, using a drip pan. Skewer turkey openings; tie drumsticks together. Rub remaining oil over skin of turkey. Sprinkle salt and remaining pepper over turkey and inside cavity., Place turkey over drip pan, breast side up; grill, covered, over indirect medium heat 1 hour. Brush with some of the sauce mixture. Grill until a thermometer inserted in thickest part of thigh reads 170°-175°, 1-1/2 to 2 hours longer, basting frequently with remaining sauce. Cover and let stand for 20 minutes before carving. Serve with reserved sauce.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 355 calories, Fat 16g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 123mg cholesterol, Sodium 726mg sodium, Carbohydrate 15g carbohydrate (13g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 36g protein.
BUTTER AND WINE BASTED TURKEY BREAST
Make and share this Butter and Wine Basted Turkey Breast recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Lvs2Cook
Categories Turkey Breasts
Time 2h50m
Yield 8-10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Heat oven to 325º.
- Place turkey, skin side up, in a shallow roasting pan and insert ovenproof thermometer in the thickest part of the turkey making sure it does not touch the bone.
- Roast 2 to 2 1/2 hours.
- While turkey is roasting, mix butter, wine, thyme, salt, paprika, and garlic. After turkey has roasted 1 hour, brush with half of the butter mixture. Roast for 30 more minutes and then brush with remaining butter mixture. Roast for 1 hour longer or until thermometer reads 170º and turkey is no longer pink when you cut into center.
- When turkey is done, place on platter and cover with foil to keep warm Let rest about 15 so that juices can redistribute.
- To make gravy: While turkey is resting, pour pan drippings into measuring cup and skim fat from drippings. Add enough water to drippings to measure 2 cups. Heat drippings to boiling in 1 quart saucepan. Mix cornstarch and cold water; stir into drippings. Boil and stir 1 minute.
- Serve gravy with turkey.
Tips:
- Choose the right turkey: A fresh, free-range turkey will yield the best flavor. Look for a turkey that is plump and has a moist, pink color.
- Prepare the turkey properly: Thaw the turkey in the refrigerator for 24 hours per 4-5 pounds. Rinse the turkey inside and out with cold water and pat it dry with paper towels.
- Season the turkey generously: Rub the turkey inside and out with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs and spices. You can also inject the turkey with a flavorful brine or marinade for extra juiciness.
- Baste the turkey regularly: Basting the turkey helps to keep it moist and flavorful. Use a mixture of melted butter, oil, and herbs to baste the turkey every 30 minutes or so.
- Cook the turkey to the proper temperature: Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the turkey is cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit in the breast and 175 degrees Fahrenheit in the thigh.
- Let the turkey rest before carving: Allow the turkey to rest for at least 15 minutes before carving. This will help the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more tender and flavorful turkey.
Conclusion:
There are many different ways to prepare a basting sauce for turkey, but the most important thing is to choose a sauce that complements the flavor of the turkey and keeps it moist. Experiment with different recipes and techniques to find the perfect basting sauce for your next Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.
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