Lesley Stockton is a writer focused on kitchen and entertaining. Her coverage includes grilling, kitchen knives, and cookware, just to name a few.
A high-quality roasting pan is an adaptable kitchen tool that can be used for much more than just the occasional large holiday roast. You can fill it full of vegetables, make lasagna for a large gathering, or simply prepare a simple one-pan dinner on a weeknight.
We believe the Cuisinart 16-inch Roasting Pan with Rack (MCP117-16BR) is your best option after roasting over 400 pounds of chicken and turkey as well as 30 pounds of vegetables in 14 pans. This roaster is the best value we’ve found for a large, multipurpose, tri-ply clad roasting pan with a rack. It works just as well for searing food on the stovetop as it does for roasting it in the oven. It does the job as well as pans that cost twice as much or more.
This roaster works well if all you need is something to put the T-Day turkey in, but it cannot be used on the stove.
If you can afford it, the All-Clad Flared Roaster does everything our main pick does, but better.
The Cuisinart MultiClad Pro 16″ Roasting Pan With Rack can handle a variety of cooking tasks with ease. Its tri-ply, fully clad construction and flat cooking surface evenly conduct heat, making searing, deglazing, and gravy-making on the stove simple and hassle-free. It’s large and robust enough to hold two whole chickens, a 20-pound turkey, a large roast, or an entire one-pan meal. Large, riveted handles provide a secure grip, even with the bulkiest kitchen towels and oven mitts.
We believe the Anolon Tri-ply Clad Roaster with Nonstick Rack is a decent option for a comparable price if our top pick sells out. This fully clad tri-ply roasting pan is spacious and sturdy, and has big, riveted handles. However, compared to our other tri-ply clad picks, the pan is more difficult to use on the stovetop due to the channel around the edge of the pan.
This roaster works well if all you need is something to put the T-Day turkey in, but it cannot be used on the stove.
There are many more uses for a high-quality roasting pan than just roasting a turkey once a year. However, the Granite Ware 19-inch Covered Oval Roaster (F0510) is a decent, reasonably priced substitute if you do require one occasionally (it also fits in smaller ovens). We just wouldn’t use this thin steel roaster on the stovetop to make gravy and sear meat. Only if you’re roasting turkey and don’t intend to use it for other purposes is the Granite Ware roaster a good deal at three quarters of the Cuisinart’s price.
If you can afford it, the All-Clad Flared Roaster does everything our main pick does, but better.
In our tests, the All-Clad Flared Roaster—which is pricey—performed the best in the oven and on the stovetop. We were rewarded with a turkey with an exceptionally crispy and golden skin thanks to its flared sides, which distributed heat evenly across the pan. All-Clad showed the best heat distribution on the stovetop, searing chicken pieces consistently across the pan. For those who enjoy roasting coffee frequently and are willing to pay a premium for the highest quality, the flared All-Clad is an excellent option.
Ah Thanksgiving. A time for family friends, and, of course, a delicious turkey. But before you can enjoy that juicy bird, you need to make sure you have the right tools for the job. That includes finding the perfect roasting pan.
But with so many sizes and shapes available, how do you know which one is right for your turkey? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered In this guide, we’ll break down the different roasting pan sizes and help you choose the one that’s perfect for your Thanksgiving feast.
Roasting Pan Sizes: A Guide for Turkey Lovers
14-Inch Roasting Pan:
This is the smallest size you’ll typically find in most home goods stores It’s perfect for roasting smaller portions of food, like sides of vegetables or potatoes. It’s also ideal for smaller ovens that may not be able to accommodate larger pans.
- Best for: Turkeys up to 12 pounds, smaller portions of food, smaller ovens
- Pros: Compact size, easy to maneuver, perfect for smaller turkeys
- Cons: Not ideal for larger turkeys, may not be big enough for larger side dishes
16-Inch Roasting Pan:
This medium-sized pan is a great all-around option for most home cooks. It’s big enough to roast a decent-sized turkey, but not so big that it will take up too much space in your oven.
- Best for: Turkeys up to 16 pounds, larger batches of food, sheet pan meals
- Pros: Versatile size, perfect for most turkeys, good for roasting multiple side dishes
- Cons: May be too large for smaller ovens, not ideal for very large turkeys
18-Inch Roasting Pan:
This is the largest size typically available for a home kitchen. It’s perfect for roasting multiple sides at once, or even for cooking a very large turkey.
- Best for: Turkeys up to 20 pounds, large batches of food, multiple side dishes
- Pros: Accommodates large turkeys and multiple side dishes, great for larger families
- Cons: Bulky and heavy, may not fit in all ovens, overkill for smaller turkeys
Choosing the Right Roasting Pan Size: A Few Tips
- Consider the size of your turkey: This is the most important factor to consider when choosing a roasting pan. Make sure the pan is large enough to accommodate your turkey without it being overcrowded.
- Think about your oven size: Measure your oven to make sure the pan will fit comfortably. You don’t want to be stuck with a pan that’s too big for your oven.
- Consider your cooking style: If you like to roast multiple side dishes at once, you’ll need a larger pan. If you’re just roasting a turkey, a smaller pan will suffice.
- Think about storage: Larger roasting pans can be a bit of a pain to store, so keep that in mind if you’re limited on space.
Beyond Size: Other Roasting Pan Considerations
- Material: Copper and stainless steel are popular choices for roasting pans. They provide steady heat without being too heavy. Cast iron is another option, but it can be heavier and more difficult to maneuver.
- Depth: The depth of the pan is important too. A pan that’s too deep will prevent your food from getting a nice roast. On the other hand, a pan that’s too shallow will be prone to spillage.
- Rack: Choose a pan with a built-in rack. This will keep your ingredients slightly raised from the bottom of the pan, preventing them from getting soggy and ensuring more even roasting.
The Perfect Roasting Pan for Your Thanksgiving Feast
With these tips in mind, you’re sure to find the perfect roasting pan for your Thanksgiving turkey. So get ready to roast up a delicious bird and enjoy a memorable Thanksgiving feast with your loved ones!
Runner-up: Anolon Tri-ply Clad Roaster with Nonstick Rack
This tri-ply roasting pan is a comparably priced option if our top pick is unavailable.
Our top pick often sells out in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving. If that happens, the comparably priced Anolon Tri-ply Clad Roaster with Nonstick Rack is a good alternative. This fully clad pan evenly distributes heat in the oven and on the stovetop, just like our other tri-ply recommendations. The channel that gathers liquids and oil around the edge of the Anolon roaster is the only problem we have with it. But that’s not an issue if you don’t plan to use this pan on the stovetop very often. Anolon’s spacious 16. A large turkey or standing rib roast can be stored in the 5-by-12-inch interior, and the roomy riveted handles provide a secure grip when using oven mitts or towels.
We don’t have any complaints about Anolon’s performance in the oven. The golden, juicy turkey we roasted in this pan would be a swoon-worthy centerpiece on any holiday table. It’s a spacious roaster that can easily accommodate large cuts of meat destined for the oven.
However, liquids ran off the raised center of the Anolon, so we had to tilt and move it slightly to whisk a consistent roux and smooth gravy when making gravy on the stovetop. Similar problems occurred to us when we seared chicken on the stovetop because the oil collected around the sides rather than the chicken pieces.
The Anolon is a good choice if using the oven is your primary use. Its large, easily gripped handles are extremely sturdy. Larger turkeys can be easily poured into a fat separator thanks to its curved lip and large surface area on the rounded roasting rack. However, the rack is nonstick coated, so opt for a gentle scouring sponge when cleaning.
Anolon’s lifetime warranty covers any defective parts, but doesn’t protect against accidents, misuse, or abuse.
Budget pick: Granite Ware 19-inch Covered Oval Roaster
This roaster works well if all you need is something to put the T-Day turkey in, but it cannot be used on the stove.
For those who simply want something to use for roasting the family turkey every year, the Granite Ware 19-inch Covered Oval Roaster (F0510) is a good choice. Our testing found that it was capable of roasting a turkey well, but not much else. Despite its flaws, we still believe that this sturdy and affordable roaster is preferable to a cheap, flimsy foil pan from the grocery store.
As far as roasting performance goes, there’s little to complain about. The Granite Ware does not have a rack, but the turkey cooked well regardless. All over it turned out golden brown, with the exception of the bottom, which clung to the pan and broke off when we removed it (though that’s not really a big deal). The handles are on the small side, but you can still grab them with mitts or towels. This roaster’s extreme thinness and light weight are advantages if you’re concerned about lifting a large turkey into and out of the oven.
The oval shape of the Granite Ware is useful for roasting a single, large item, such as a turkey or large roast, but it is not very versatile. You can’t easily fit two whole chickens in this pan like you can in our rectangular picks.
Making gravy on the stovetop in this pan was fine but far from ideal. Heat is concentrated over the burners because there isn’t a heat-conducting aluminum core, and the pan’s channels make it challenging to scrape fond and whisk a smooth gravy.
The lack of a core also led to a complete failure in the one-pan chicken meal test. Granite Ware’s enameled steel is so thin that we would not advise using this roaster on the stovetop. Searing the chicken caused the skin to stick to the bottom, and the intense heat caused the pan to bend and twist.
Best Turkey Roasting Pan 2023 | Top 10 Turkey Roasting pan For Thanksgiving Dinner
FAQ
What size roaster oven for a 20 lb turkey?
What size oven will hold a 20 pound turkey?
What size turkey fits in a 16 inch roasting pan?
What type of pan is best for roasting turkey?