What To Know
- The key to a juicy, flavorful turkey is using the best butter for turkey.
- In addition to the type of butter, there are a few other factors to consider when choosing the best butter for turkey.
- The fat content of butter is a measure of how much butterfat is in the butter.
Thanksgiving is a time for family, food, and tradition. And no Thanksgiving feast would be complete without a perfectly roasted turkey. The key to a juicy, flavorful turkey is using the best butter for turkey. Butter adds richness, moisture, and a golden-brown crust to your bird. But not all butters are created equal.
Types of Butter
There are three main types of butter: unsalted, salted, and cultured.
- Unsalted butter: This is the purest form of butter and contains only cream. It’s a good choice for baking or cooking dishes where you want to control the amount of salt.
- Salted butter: This butter has salt added to it during the churning process. It’s a good choice for everyday use, such as spreading on toast or melting over vegetables.
- Cultured butter: This butter is made from cream that has been fermented with lactic acid bacteria. It has a slightly tangy flavor and a higher fat content than unsalted or salted butter.
Which Type of Butter is Best for Turkey?
The best butter for turkey is unsalted butter. This is because you can control the amount of salt that you add to your turkey, and you don’t want to over-salt your bird.
How to Use Butter on Turkey
There are two main ways to use butter on turkey:
- Rubbing the turkey: Rubbing the turkey with butter helps to keep it moist and flavorful. To do this, simply soften the butter and rub it all over the turkey, under the skin, and inside the cavity.
- Basting the turkey: Basting the turkey with butter helps to keep it moist and prevents it from drying out. To do this, melt the butter and baste the turkey every 30 minutes or so during the roasting process.
Other Factors to Consider
In addition to the type of butter, there are a few other factors to consider when choosing the best butter for turkey:
- Fat content: The fat content of butter is a measure of how much butterfat is in the butter. The higher the fat content, the richer and more flavorful the butter will be. For turkey, you want to use butter with a fat content of at least 80%.
- Flavor: The flavor of butter can vary depending on the type of milk that is used to make it. Butter made from grass-fed cows has a richer, more complex flavor than butter made from grain-fed cows.
- Price: Butter can range in price depending on the brand, the type of butter, and the fat content. When choosing butter for turkey, you don’t need to spend a lot of money on the most expensive brand. A good quality butter with a fat content of at least 80% will do just fine.
Our Top Picks
Here are our top picks for the best butter for turkey:
- Kerrygold Irish Butter: This butter is made from grass-fed cows and has a rich, creamy flavor. It’s a great choice for rubbing on turkey or basting it during the roasting process.
- Plugrá European-Style Butter: This butter is made from sweet cream and has a slightly tangy flavor. It’s a good choice for people who prefer a butter with a little bit of extra flavor.
- Organic Valley Cultured Butter: This butter is made from organic cream and has a slightly tangy flavor. It’s a good choice for people who are looking for a healthier butter option.
Summary: Elevate Your Thanksgiving Feast with the Perfect Butter
Choosing the best butter for turkey is an important part of creating a delicious and memorable Thanksgiving feast. By following the tips in this guide, you can choose the perfect butter to elevate your turkey and make your Thanksgiving dinner a success.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use margarine instead of butter on turkey?
A: No, you should not use margarine on turkey. Margarine is a processed food product that contains unhealthy trans fats. Butter is a natural food product that is a good source of vitamins and minerals.
Q: How much butter should I use on a turkey?
A: You should use about 1/2 cup of butter per 10 pounds of turkey.
Q: Should I use cold or melted butter on turkey?
A: You can use either cold or melted butter on turkey. If you are rubbing the butter on the turkey, it is easier to use cold butter. If you are basting the turkey, it is easier to use melted butter.
