‘The American Way’ To Baste A Turkey Video | 1956 Thanksgiving Commercial Outdated?

If you’re still confused on how to baste (or “butter-bake”) your Thanksgiving turkey, this classic commercial will show you how to make it the “American Dairy Association way.”

Of course, it’s brought to you by the American Dairy Association so it has to be right. Right?

This advertisement claims that this method makes the “juiciest tenderest turkey ever,” but my mother and I would have to disagree. After years of experimenting we’ve just determined that the real way to get a juicy turkey is to roast it upside down at the last hour.

Sure, basting it helps to flavor the very top layer of the turkey, but from our experience the butter won’t soak through all the meat that way. Granted, this commercial is over half a century old and cooking shows or online recipes were non-existent. I guess you could say that this method is a little out-dated.