We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. What to Buy Kitchen Tools The 4 Best Turkey Basters, According to Our Tests Never use a spoon again. By Jennifer Zyman and Ariane Resnick Ariane Resnick Ariane Resnick, CNC is a leader in the realm of nutrition and special diets, helping to make healthy eating affordable and easy for all. She has cooked professionally, intermittently, for well over twenty years, and has nearly a decade of professional writing experience. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Updated on December 4, 2024 In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Our Favorite Turkey Baster How We Tested Turkey Basters Factors to Consider FAQ Other Turkey Basters We Tested Our Expertise Photo: Food and Wine / Amazon Whether or not to baste a turkey can be a polarizing topic. While some say it's unnecessary, most home cooks rely on basting for a perfectly browned and juicy bird. Numerous factors go into preparing the perfect turkey, from how time and temperature settings to the roasting pan or turkey deep fryer you use, and proper basting can help ensure the best results. Why is basting the right choice for a turkey? From an aesthetic perspective, most people eat with their eyes first. As a chef, I know that a golden-brown turkey simply looks more appealing than one that is too light, too dark, or unevenly colored, so it's the one I want to serve and that guests want to eat. And from a flavor standpoint, basting adds pan drippings, which are full of delicious fat and flavor, onto the skin. From there, they sink into the flesh and help keep it moist and juicy. That means a basted turkey makes leftover turkey recipes even more enjoyable. And the turkey baster isn't just a helpful tool for turkey! The same basting treatment helps with duck, chicken, or any other poultry, as well as large pieces of meat like rib roast and pork tenderloin. A baster is also a good way to add measured amounts of liquid to a sauce, paella, or risotto, or to distribute batter into muffin pans. You can use one to remove grease from the surface of a homemade stock as it cooks, or even to separate egg yolks from whites. Of course, you could use a spoon for basting your turkey, but a hot pan full of hot liquid can make that dangerous. Having the right baster on hand is key to excellent turkey and lots more, so whether you prefer stainless steel, glass, or plastic, we're here to guide you to the best one out there for you. Read on to learn about our favorite models. Our Top Picks Best Overall Turkey Baster: OXO Good Grips Angled Turkey Baster with Cleaning Brush at Amazon $17 Jump to Review Best Overall Turkey Baster, Runner-Up: Tovolo Dripless Baster at Amazon $15 Jump to Review Best Glass Turkey Baster: Williams Sonoma Glass Bulb Baster at Williams Sonoma $20 Jump to Review Best Stainless Steel Turkey Baster : Norpro Deluxe Stainless Steel Baster at Amazon $15 Jump to Review Best Overall Turkey Baster OXO Good Grips Angled Turkey Baster with Cleaning Brush PHOTO: Amazon $17 $15 at Amazon $15 at Oxo $8 at Johnlewis.com Pros With an angled tube and tip, integrated stand, and included brush, this baster has it all. Cons The plastic material won't last forever, especially if it goes through the dishwasher. OXO is known for creating basic kitchen tools with elevated design elements, and its turkey baster is no exception. The tip is bent upward to prevent drips, but the entire length of the baster is also set at an angle that's designed to let you reach into the back of the oven to access all sides of a turkey or other bulky piece of meat without burning yourself. We also appreciate the little foot attached to the top of the tube, which serves as a built-in stand to hold the baster stable. You can place it on the countertop without it rolling away and making a mess. Measurement markings in ounces and milliliters along the side make the OXO baster user-friendly for many recipes. Its included cleaning brush is better than competitors, thanks to its cone shape that enables you to clean more thoroughly in the crevices. Really the only negative we can come up with is that the plastic will eventually wear out and need to be replaced. You can keep it in top condition longer by hand-washing rather than using the dishwasher. Materials: Plastic, silicone | Length: 12 inches | Includes: Cleaning brush | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes PHOTO: Food & Wine / Jennifer Zyman PHOTO: Food & Wine / Jennifer Zyman PHOTO: Food & Wine / Jennifer Zyman Best Overall Turkey Baster, Runner-Up Tovolo Dripless Baster PHOTO: Walmart $15 at Amazon $15 at Williams Sonoma $20 at Walmart Pros This baster's removable tip will not drip, and it works well with thin, thick, and hot liquids. Cons It's liable to roll off the counter if you don't secure it in place. Once you've basted your turkey, the next thing to worry about is keeping hot juices and grease from dripping all over the oven, floor, and countertop as you put the baster away. Tovolo's baster design prevents drips entirely thanks to an angled silicone tip and a valve in the bulb that keeps liquid inside when it's not being squeezed. The tip and bulb are both removable for complete cleaning, and all the parts can go in the dishwasher. The ergonomic bulb shape on this baster might not seem like a big deal, but it allows you to baste all day without hand cramps. It's also a little shorter and squatter than normal, so the whole thing takes up less room with the same capacity. However, after you're done basting, you'll still need to place the Tovolo baster in a bowl or on a plate: It's completely round and doesn't have a foot or base to keep it from rolling away. Materials: BPA-free plastic, silicone | Length: 11.5 inches | Includes: Additional tip, cleaning brush | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes PHOTO: Food & Wine/Jennifer Zyman PHOTO: Food & Wine / Jennifer Zyman PHOTO: Food & Wine / Jennifer Zyman PHOTO: Food & Wine / Jennifer Zyman Best Glass Turkey Baster Williams Sonoma Glass Bulb Baster PHOTO: Williams Sonoma $20 at Williams Sonoma Pros This compact, heat-safe baster is made of completely non-reactive material. Cons It wasn't as leak-proof as others we tested, and it can't go in the dishwasher. This glass baster from Williams Sonoma can hold up for much longer than plastic. The borosilicate material is super-strong and heat-resistant — you can dispense boiling juices without any worries. We love that it has measurement markings and that the bulb isn't perfectly round so you can place it on the counter without it rolling away. It wasn't as drip-proof as angle-tipped basters we tested, though, so you should probably lay it on a spoon rest, paper towel, or small plate. Unfortunately, Williams Sonoma's glass baster isn't dishwasher-safe. You can remove the bulb for easy cleaning in the sink, but you will have to hand-wash it. The glass is also shatter-resistant but isn't invincible. Make sure to store this baster somewhere it won't get cracked by other tools or get caught in a closing drawer. Materials: Glass, rubber | Length: 11 inches | Dishwasher-Safe: No PHOTO: Food & Wine / Jennifer Zyman PHOTO: Food & Wine / Jennifer Zyman Best Stainless Steel Turkey Baster Norpro Deluxe Stainless Steel Baster PHOTO: Amazon $15 at Amazon $14 at Walmart View on Bed Bath & Beyond Pros This stainless steel baster is built to last and includes a flavor-injecting tip. Cons The opaque material means you can't see how much liquid is in the tube. This Norpro stainless steel baster has one big benefit over plastic models: Because its tube is metal, you're free to use it on the outdoor grill, whose hot grates can melt the plastic on contact. We also appreciate the needle tip, which can attach to the baster and inject marinades into raw meats, sauces into cooked ones, or frosting into cakes. Unlike plastic, the stainless steel tube can go through the dishwasher over and over without damage, making this a baster that can last a lifetime despite costing the same amount as a plastic model. But there is a disadvantage to steel, too, as you can't see inside the baster or measure its contents. Materials: Stainless steel, silicone | Length: 11 inches | Includes: Cleaning brush, injector tip | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes PHOTO: Food & Wine / Jennifer Zyman PHOTO: Food & Wine / Jennifer Zyman PHOTO: Food & Wine / Jennifer Zyman We Tested the Best Meat Thermometers for Grilling, Smoking, and Roasting Our Favorite Turkey Baster We chose the OXO Good Grips Angled Turkey Baster as our best overall pick because its angular design is great for reaching around the bird and its clever stand keeps your countertops clean. It is made with heat-resistant plastic and is dishwasher-safe, so it's easy to clean when the job is done. How We Tested Turkey Basters Food & Wine / Jennifer Zyman We chose six models of turkey baster to evaluate for this roundup, rating their overall design, shape, and materials before putting them through a series of tests. First, we heated a measuring cup full of chicken stock in the microwave, then filled each baster. We noted how much each one could hold, whether any stock dripped from the tip, and if the bulb stayed securely in place when sucking up hot liquid. We also used the basters to baste whole chickens and siphon chicken stock onto paella and risotto, looking for any spills, bulbs popping off, or other unexpected issues. Between cooking tests, we also cleaned the basters following the manufacturers' instructions. We hand-washed each at least once and also ran them through the dishwasher if applicable. We looked for any warping, scratching, or other damage caused by the dishwasher. After completing our performance tests, we revealed the retail prices of the basters to consider value. They ranged from $8 to $20, with an average of $14. Factors to Consider Material Turkey basters tubes are usually made from plastic, glass, or stainless steel. Plastic is the most common material, but many types of plastic contain potentially problematic chemicals like PFAs that can leach into food, especially when used around high temperatures. Glass and stainless steel are both able to handle heat quite well, though glass is breakable and steel isn't transparent. The baster bulb is typically made of plastic, silicone, or rubber, all of which have varying ingredients and levels of heat resistance. Capacity A standard turkey baster can hold about 2 ounces, but there are both extra-large and extra-small versions. If you have a big family and are used to cooking 20-plus-pound holiday turkeys, you might want a big baster to keep the bird moist in fewer squeezes. But a small version is more maneuverable and practical for smaller proteins like chicken. Ease of Cleaning Many turkey basters are dishwasher-safe, but it can be worth pre-rinsing to get any stuck solid bits of meat or fat. Some also basters come with a thin brushes that fits inside for cleaning, though any old bottle brush should work. Whether you wash by hand or in the dishwasher, you should remove the bulb and take apart any other pieces that disassemble, then make sure everything is completely dry before you put it back together. Frequently Asked Questions Do you need a turkey baster? It's helpful to have a turkey baster. It might not be the most-used gadget in your kitchen, but a turkey baster is an inexpensive but effective way to keep poultry and other meats moist throughout the cooking process. You can use a spoon for basting instead, though you're liable to burn yourself with your fingers so close to boiling liquid. How often should you baste a turkey while cooking? For best results, you should baste your turkey every 30 to 45 minutes. The goal is to suck up liquid from the bottom of the baking dish and distribute it back over the breast, legs, and thighs, ensuring all of the skin is evenly moistened. Try to work quickly, as keeping the oven door open lowers the temperature inside and increases cooking time. How do you clean a turkey baster? Some turkey basters can go in the dishwasher, while others need to be cleaned by hand. You should always remove the bulb and any other pieces that detach, as this makes cleaning much easier. After washing, make sure all the parts are completely dry — trapped water can lead to the growth of bacteria, mildew, and mold. What can you do with a turkey baster besides baste turkey? A turkey baster is a very effective way of moving small amounts of liquid around accurately, which has a lot of uses in the kitchen. You can of course baste chickens, beef roasts, and other pieces of meat in the same way you would a turkey, but a baster is also great for adding stock bit by bit to a risotto as you stir. You can use one to pick up buttercream or ganache and frost and fill small cakes. A turkey baster is also a surprisingly effective tool for separating eggs: Crack them into a bowl, then use the baster to suck up and remove the yolks completely unharmed. Other Turkey Basters We Tested The Norpro Plastic Nylon Baster is the single cheapest baster we tried, and its plastic felt a little flimsy. It worked fine but, it's worth a few extra dollars for a less leaky options. We also tested the Norpro Glass Baster, but its bulb kept popping off. Our Expertise Jennifer Zyman is a Senior Commerce Writer for Food & Wine and a recovering restaurant critic with a culinary school degree and over 15 years of food writing experience. Her work has appeared in Atlanta Magazine, Bon Appetit, Eater Atlanta, The Kitchn, Local Palate, National Geographic, Simply Recipes, Southern Living, and Thrillist. To write this story, she tested basters side by side in order to find the best ones on the market. Contributor Ariane Resnick, a special diet chef, certified nutritionist, and bestselling author, also contributed to this piece. When cooking for private clients in their homes, she experimented endlessly with varying tricks to make a moist bird and found that basting is a surefire way to keep every turkey eater at the table happy and satisfied. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit