To be sure you’re serving the best turkey this Thanksgiving, you’re going to need the best turkey baster.
Basters are versatile kitchen tools that can be used to pick up liquids and redistribute them where needed. Whether it’s juices from roasted meats, a barbecue marinade or even a dressing over your roasted veggies, these squeeze-and-go devices make the process simple.
Deciding how to cook your turkey is paramount. Perhaps a family tradition reigns, and there’s a way it’s always been done. Or you’re going to try a new way to take your turkey to the next culinary level. Whichever way you choose to cook your bird, there’s little debate that basting your turkey is a simple and effective way to add flavor and increase moisture levels in the, let’s face it, typically dry meat.
What is a Turkey Baster Used For?
Basting is a technique of suction and release to make the most of the juices which collect at the bottom of a roasting pan. These juices are filled with flavor, so getting them onto or into your turkey adds deliciousness and keeps the meat moist.
You can, of course, use a spoon to move the juices from the pan to the turkey. However, with high temperatures in the oven, this risky process often results in a painful lesson. An easier and safer alternative is to use a purpose-made baster.
How Often Should I Baste My Turkey?
Most chefs and baster brands advise to baste your turkey every 30 to 60 minutes, depending on your personal preference. If you’re a first-timer then opt for the 30-minute interval option and work backward from there. If you’re following a set recipe, then the creator of that method may advise otherwise to achieve the displayed finish.
Related Stories
Things to Look for When Choosing a Turkey Baster
When choosing a turkey baster for your kitchen, there are a few things to decide on. These include:
- Length: You definitely want a baster that’s long enough to keep your hands out of harm’s way. However, there are some that are designed to be extra long for bigger birds, and others that are a little shorter to keep costs down.
- Material: Most turkey basters are made of silicone and plastic, but some are stainless steel or even glass. Each material has its advantages and disadvantages, which we dive into in further detail in the product descriptions below.
- Extras: Many turkey basters come as part of a set with a cleaning brush, marinade injector and even a silicone basting brush. Of course, the more accessories in the set, the more expensive it will likely be.
After you think about the three things above, you’re ready to pick out the best turkey baster for you.
For the most delicious, golden-brown turkey ever, make sure you’re basting your bird with the best turkey baster available for your kitchen.
1. Norpro Deluxe Stainless Steel Baster
BEST OVERALL
With over 800 five-star reviews from happy Amazon customers, the Norpro Deluxe Stainless Steel Baster could be the missing link between your dinner and the next level of deliciousness. The three-piece set includes the baster along with a removable needle head and a brush to make cleaning the baster easy. It’s also heat resistant up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and super simple to use. Before baking or grilling your dish, use the baster to cover or inject your food with flavor-filled juices to maintain moisture and give it an extra dimension of taste.
2. OXO Good Grips Angled Turkey Baster
BEST DESIGN
The OXO Good Grips Angled Turkey Baster sports a unique style tip, which allows you to draw juices in and out with speed and smoothness. This curved-design has received over 200 five-star reviews from users happy with the performance. In addition, the intelligently designed device sports an integrated stand which stops the baster from rolling away when placed on a flat surface. It’s made from heat-safe materials, is completely dishwasher safe and includes easy-to-read metric and standard measurements along the tube.
3. Good Living Deluxe Turkey Baster
BEST MEASUREMENTS
Cheap and easy to use, the Good Living Deluxe Turkey Baster solves two of the big turkey basting dilemmas. First, it includes readable measurements along the side of the tube, so you know how much juice you’re using. Second, this set also includes an easy way to clean the turkey baster. That’s because it includes a very useful cleaning brush. The long design of the cleaning brush ensures that you can get the best results and can reach even the deepest dip of your turkey baster.
Read More: Best Turkey Fryer
4. Good Cook 11.5″ Turkey Baster
MOST INTUITIVE
If you’re looking for an easy and budget-friendly way to give your Thanksgiving turkey that extra little boost, look no further than this Good Cook baster. The design is simple, as is using the device. Simply squeeze the silicone bulb in your flavored juice and cover your turkey for a more moist and juicier finished product. This particular baster is constructed from a nylon tube with a silicon bulb, and the two pieces can be taken apart for easy cleaning.
5. Home Brew Ohio Plastic Baster
BEST LONG BASTER
This Home Brew Ohio turkey baster is over a foot long at 18.75″ long and made of high-quality material that’s easy to use and simple to sanitize. The bulb at the end comes off for easy cleaning and its size makes it great for storing and preserving juices as well.
6. M KITCHEN WORLD Silicone Baster
BEST BRUSH BASTER
The M KITCHEN WORLD Silicone Baster is a safe and effective way to brush over your food with delicious flavors without the fear of getting hair in your finished meal. Where normal kitchen brushes are liable to lose brush hairs during use, these silicone basters aren’t. They sport specially designed heads that retain liquid to make the brushing process easy. They also have ergonomic handles for comfort during use and detachable heads for easy cleaning. They’re great for marinating and baking.
7. Ofargo 304-Stainless Steel Meat Syringe
BEST INJECTOR
Another great way to baste a turkey? Injecting it directly with juices so it’s nice and tender after cooking. This one is made of food-grade 304-stainless steel and comes with a BBQ brush, meat needle, O-ring seals and a cleaning tool as well. It’s made to be leak-proof and comes with a variety of meat needles for piercing through different meat and poultry skin. It’s super easy to use, dishwasher-safe and has a 2-ounce size barrel to minimize refills.
8. Chef Craft Select Stainless Steel Basting Spoon
BEST SPOON
If you’re one of those people who wants everything in their kitchen to have more than one purpose, you need to invest in a basting spoon rather than a baster. These spoons allow you to dole out turkey juices in the same way basters do, but they can also multi-task as a serving or stirring spoon when needed. In addition, a basting spoon can allow you to pick up some of the caked-on bits at the bottom of the turkey roasting pan, adding more flavor to the bird and less cleaning after the turkey has finished cooking.
9. KitchenAid Plastic Bulb Baster
MOST ATTRACTIVE
Cuisinart is known for bringing elegance and functionality into all their kitchen devices, and they have done just that in their turkey baster. This utensil features powerful suction for anti-drip usage. In this way, the baster will keep your cleaning needs to a minimum and allow you to focus fully on the flavor of your turkey. The ergonomic silicone bulb is designed to be squeezed and released easily for equal distribution of liquid. Plus, the bulb and the one-ounce tube can be easily separated for cleaning.
10. JUUMVIR Stainless Steel Turkey Baster
BEST SET
This turkey baster comes with an entire set of tools that’ll prove very useful come turkey day. This set comes with one stainless steel turkey baster, two baster syringe needles, two silicone basting brushes, two silicone stoppers and a cleaning brush to keep it all sterilized. All of the tools are made of premium cooking materials and are dishwasher-safe. The turkey baster comes with an ergonomic handle so it’s easy to hold, and the entire set can be used for every type of meat, poultry and fish if need be.
11. Tovolo Easy-to-Use Dripless Baster
BEST ANTI-DRIP BASTER
The Tovolo Easy-to-Use Dripless Baster is another well-reviewed baster option, which includes a cleaning brush to help in the post-meal cleanup. The design sports a specially designed valve that prevents unwanted drips during use. You’ll also find the clear cylinder allows you to see the contents of the baster and fill and empty it without problems. The tip end is also removable to further aid in the cleaning process.
12. Norpro Plastic Nylon Baster
BEST BUDGET
This Norpro plastic turkey baster costs less than $6.00 and comes with much of the same functionality as more expensive baster options. It’s designed to create powerful suction for getting succulent juices from the pan like melted butter, oil or other marinades. It’s made with nylon that’s heat-resistant to 450˚F and has a 1.5oz. capacity for preserving plenty of juices for when the time is right.
13. Fox Run Heat-Resistant Glass Baster
BEST GLASS
Although less popular than their plastic or silicone counterparts due to the threat of breakage, glass turkey basters, like the Fox Run Heat-Resistant Glass Baster, have several advantages. One great thing about a glass baster is that it won’t melt as plastic sometimes can. Another is that you can see the inside contents as you suction. This kitchen utensil is dishwasher safe. However, it is recommended to hand wash for the best care.
14. Miiko Steel Turkey Baster & Brush
BEST KIT
If you’re into basting, brushing and injecting your foods to achieve the most flavor-filled outcome possible, the Miiko Steel Turkey Baster & Barbecue Basting Brush is exactly what you need in your kitchen arsenal. This high-quality set includes a turkey baster, screw-in flavor injector and baster cleaning brush as well as an extra-long handled basting brush. Whether you’re cooking your Thanksgiving turkey or hosting the first cookout of the year, this kit has you covered.
15. Best Utensils Stainless Steel Turkey Baster
HONORABLE MENTION
Baste to your heart’s content with the Best Utensils Stainless Steel Turkey Baster. The quality materials and high-grade stainless steel ensure no part of the baster will melt or bend during use in high temperatures. Both the baster and the included brush have long designs to ensure that your hands are kept well out of the way of heat and harm. The set also comes with a marinade injector for super juicy meat creations. As an added bonus, this item is covered by a one-year warranty.
The 12 Best Roaster Pans for the Most Delicious Thanksgiving Turkey Ever