All of your questions about consistently cooking a picture-perfect golden brown turkey in your electric roaster are answered in this guide on how to cook a turkey in a roaster.
I have all the instructions you need to cook a turkey in a roaster, freeing up your oven for the holiday feast.
Free Up Oven Space and Cook a Juicy Turkey with an Electric Roaster
The holidays are a time for gathering with loved ones and enjoying delicious meals. But with all the dishes to prepare, oven space can become scarce. That’s where the trusty electric roaster comes in. This handy appliance allows you to cook a juicy turkey while freeing up your oven for other dishes, like homemade rolls and pies.
Preparing the Turkey for Roasting
You don’t need to prep your turkey any differently for an electric roaster than for a conventional oven. Simply thaw your turkey thoroughly, remove the giblets and neck, and pat it dry Season the turkey as desired, using your favorite herbs and spices
Adjusting the Cooking Process for an Electric Roaster
The main difference between roasting a turkey in an electric roaster and an oven is the cooking time. Since roasters are smaller, they cook food faster. Here’s a guide to help you determine how long to cook your turkey in an electric roaster:
| Turkey Size | Estimated Cooking Time |
|---|---|
| 12-13 pounds | 1¾ hours |
| 14-24 pounds | 2 to 3 hours |
| 25-28 pounds | 3½ to 4 hours |
Remember, these are just estimates. Always check the internal temperature of the turkey to ensure it’s cooked through.
Tips for Cooking a Delicious Turkey in an Electric Roaster
- Preheat your roaster to 325°F.
- Brush the turkey with a browning sauce made from butter, Kitchen Bouquet (or Worcestershire sauce, Maggi Seasoning, or Liquid Aminos), and paprika. This helps achieve a golden brown color, as electric roasters don’t brown food as well as ovens.
- Use a meat thermometer with a probe to monitor the internal temperature of the turkey without opening the lid, preventing heat loss and slowing down the cooking process.
- Place the turkey on the rack, breast side up, and cover the roaster.
- Cook until the thermometer registers 175°F in the thigh and 165°F in the breast.
- Remove the turkey from the roaster, cover it with foil, and let it rest for 15-20 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful turkey.
Benefits of Using an Electric Roaster
- Frees up oven space: This is especially helpful during the holidays when you need to cook multiple dishes.
- Cooks faster: Electric roasters cook food faster than conventional ovens, saving you time.
- Retains moisture: The closed environment of the roaster helps keep the turkey moist and juicy.
- Portable: Electric roasters are portable, making them ideal for taking to potlucks or other gatherings.
Additional Tips for a Delicious Thanksgiving Turkey
- Brine the turkey: Brining adds flavor and moisture to the turkey, resulting in a more succulent bird.
- Stuff the turkey: Stuffing the turkey adds extra flavor and can be a delicious side dish.
- Make gravy: Use the drippings from the turkey to make a delicious gravy to accompany your meal.
Cooking a turkey in an electric roaster is a simple and efficient way to achieve juicy, delicious results while freeing up valuable oven space. By following these tips and adjusting the cooking time based on your turkey’s size, you can enjoy a perfectly cooked turkey that will be the star of your Thanksgiving feast.
HOW BIG OF A TURKEY DO I NEED?
I like to aim for about 1. 5 lbs. of turkey per person when purchasing a turkey.
Yes, this may seem like a lot of turkey per person, but keep in mind that some people eat a lot.
Aim for 2 pounds of turkey if you want to ensure you have some for leftovers (yeah, turkey sandwiches!). of turkey per person when you shop.
If you’re feeding ten people and would like to have leftovers, get the large 20-pound turkey.
COOKING TURKEY IN A ROASTER
If your kitchen is equipped with a single oven, preparing a holiday meal has probably already caused you frustration. While the turkey bakes in the oven, side dishes are kept out of the way.
The electric roaster oven is the new kid in town, here to make holiday meals much easier and more manageable than single ovens.
With the help of this recipe, you can use an electric roaster to create a gorgeously browned roast turkey while keeping the oven open for mac and cheese, cornbread casserole, and a large pan of hot rolls.
You can make holiday meal preparation less intimidating by cooking your electric roasted turkey, so let’s talk about this clever and simple method!
- You can plug an electric roaster oven in anywhere. Heck, I cooked a turkey in my roaster oven directly on top of my dryer to clear out counter space in the kitchen, so don’t worry.
- There are no special or additional steps required for the initial preparation of a roaster turkey, just like there would be for an oven turkey.
- This Thanksgiving, cook your turkey (or ham) in a roaster oven to simplify the meal.
- Turkey, thoroughly defrosted, cleaned, and its neck and giblets taken out from the inside
- Aromatics, citrus, and fresh herbs for the cavity, such as chopped garlic, onions, oranges, and lemons
- Carrots and celery (you can place these inside the turkey’s cavity if you’d like) were used to create a “rack” for my turkey to rest on.
- Oil
- Baking powder, optional
- Seasoned salt
- Chicken or turkey broth
- To achieve a gorgeous brown color, mix baking powder into the oil that is brushed on the turkey’s outside.
- Thaw your turkey 2-3 days ahead. Never cook a frozen turkey.
- Never cook a turkey by time or color; instead, always cook it by internal temperature. A fully cooked turkey will be 165 degrees F. in the breast and 180 degrees F. in the thigh.
- Avoid opening the roaster too frequently as this will cause the turkey’s cooking time to be delayed. About 25 degrees Fahrenheit are lost by the roaster each time the lid is removed. in temperature.
- Keep your thermometer away from bones and the roaster’s bottom. This can give you a false read.
- For a neat appearance, swap out the dried herbs with fresh ones if you plan to serve the turkey on a platter at your holiday gathering.
How to Cook a Turkey in an electric roaster, EASY and QUICK! I Episode 6
FAQ
Is it better to cook turkey in a roaster oven or regular oven?
Do turkeys cook faster in a roasting pan?
How many hours does it take to cook a turkey in a roaster?
|
Unstuffed
|
|
|
8 – 12 pounds
|
2 ¾ – 3 hours
|
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20 – 24 pounds
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4 ½ – 5 hours
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Stuffed
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|
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8 – 12 pounds
|
3 – 3 ½ hours
|
Do you put liquid at the bottom of an electric roaster for turkey?
How to cook a Turkey in an electric roaster?
Add the sliced onions, apples, and crushed garlic cloves in the cavity. Rub the mixture all over the turkey. Make sure that all parts are covered. Try to insert your fingers under the skin and rub some from the oil mixture. Place the turkey inside the electric roaster oven and start cooking.
How long do you cook a 20 pound turkey in an electric roaster?
How to cook turkey in an electric roaster: preheat roaster to 450 degrees. Roast prepared turkey for 30 minutes. DO NOT OPEN LID! Simply turn the roaster down to 325 degrees thereafter. Roast for an additional 15 minutes per pound at 325 degrees. A 20-pound turkey will need about 4 ½ hours of roasting at the lower temperature.
Should you buy an electric Turkey roaster?
An electric turkey roaster is your answer. Not only does it make the roasting process more streamlined, but cooking a turkey in a roaster oven also ensures that it’s evenly cooked, juicy, and delectably golden. It’s a game-changer for those who want to multitask in the kitchen during the holiday season.
Are electric roaster ovens better than conventional ovens?
Electric roaster ovens also retain moisture better than conventional ovens, making it easier to avoid the tragedy of dry turkey. In this post, I’m sharing everything you need to know about how to cook perfect turkey in an electric roaster oven.