Basting turkeys redistributes juices around the areas close to the surface, which are likely to dry out during cooking. As the basting mixture evaporates, it helps the entire bird to cook more evenly. Turkeys need to be basted every 30 minutes or so for the best results. It's a little extra work, but it's worth it.

Do you really need a turkey baster?

Here's the deal: You don't have to baste your turkey. It's not necessary if you're brining the bird or cooking it upside down. But if you're going with the easiest, most classic method, then you really should bust out the baster. You've heard that basting will result in a juicier bird and it's true.

Does basting a turkey make a difference?

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.