How to Cook a Juicy Turkey in a Nesco Roaster Oven

Come Thanksgiving or Christmas roasting a golden brown turkey is often the centerpiece of a classic holiday feast. But conventional oven roasting can be tricky to get just right. The Nesco roaster oven offers an easy convenient way to cook a moist, flavorful holiday turkey. With its unique design, the Nesco roaster circulates hot air evenly around the turkey, yielding ideal results.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to cook a tender, juicy turkey in a Nesco roaster.

Benefits of Cooking Turkey in a Nesco Roaster

Here are some of the advantages of using a Nesco roaster instead of a traditional oven when cooking your holiday turkey:

Even cooking The Nesco’s enclosed fan circulates heated air uniformly around the turkey preventing hot and cold spots. This ensures evenly cooked juicy meat from all sides.
Moisture retention: The tight-fitting lid seals in steam and natural juices. This keeps the turkey extra moist and tender.
Easy monitoring: The see-through lid allows checking on doneness without losing heat or moisture.
Portability: The Nesco roaster can cook turkey anywhere there is an outlet. This makes it ideal for holiday trips or family gatherings.
Saves oven space: Free up your main oven for baking pies, rolls, or casseroles.

Picking the Right Turkey Size

Check your Nesco roaster’s manual for size limits. Most standard 18-quart Nesco roasters accommodate turkeys up to 18-22 lbs.
Allow 2-3 inches of space around the turkey for air circulation.
An undersized turkey may dry out while an oversized one won’t cook evenly.
Optimal size allows the turkey to sit directly on the rack without a pan.

Thawing Tips

Completely thaw frozen turkey before cooking.
Thaw in the refrigerator 1 day per 4-5 lbs turkey.
Alternatively, thaw in cold water, changing water every 30 minutes.
Cook from fully thawed state for best results.

Step-by-Step Cooking Guide

Follow these simple steps for foolproof turkey cooked in a Nesco roaster oven:

1. Prepare the Turkey

Remove neck and giblets from cavities. Keep for gravy or discard.
Rinse turkey inside and out with cold water. Pat dry with paper towels.
Apply butter, oil or broth over the skin and cavities for added moisture and flavor.

2. Season the Turkey

Season the cavities with salt, pepper and poultry seasoning.
Rub the outer skin with olive oil or butter. Season with desired herbs.
Lightly stuff the neck and body cavities if desired. Truss legs with string.

3. Preheat the Nesco

Preheat unit with lid on to 450°F for 15 minutes before cooking.

4. Add Liquid

Pour 1-2 cups of water, broth or wine in the bottom of the cooker.

5. Place Turkey in Roaster

Position turkey breast up directly on rack, without pan.
Add stuffing if using.

6. Set Cook Time and Temperature

Reduce heat to 325°F after placing turkey inside.
Cook approximately 15-20 minutes per pound.
For a 12 lb turkey, cook about 3 to 4 hours.

7. Check Doneness

Use a meat thermometer in thickest part of thigh, not touching bone.
Turkey is done when it reaches 165°F. If stuffed, Stuffing should reach 165°F.

8. Remove and Let Sit

Carefully remove turkey when fully cooked.
Let sit 20-30 minutes before carving for juicier meat.

9. Carve and Serve

Carve turkey and serve with favorite holiday sides. Enjoy!

Nesco Roaster Turkey Cooking Tips

Baste occasionally with pan juices or melted butter for added moisture and flavor.
Add celery, onion, garlic to bottom of roaster for aroma and flavor.
Use a meat thermometer for doneness, not time. Every turkey cooks differently.
If browning is uneven, tent foil over dried areas and continue roasting.
Letting turkey rest after cooking allows juices to absorb back into the meat.
Use pan juices to make a flavorful turkey gravy.

Nesco Turkey Roasting Troubleshooting

Turkey not browning evenly?

Rotate turkey halfway through cooking time.
Increase temperature if skin isn’t crisping.

Turkey skin drying out?

Baste more frequently with pan juices or melted butter.
Ensure turkey is not directly touching heating element.

Turkey breast or thighs overcooked?

Use lower temperature (300°F) next time.
Cover dried areas with foil to slow cooking.

Stuffing undercooked?

Use instant-read thermometer to confirm 165°F in center.
Cook stuffing separately if needed.

Alternatives to Whole Roasted Turkey

If cooking a large whole turkey seems daunting, consider these convenient alternatives perfect for the Nesco roaster:

Turkey breast roast
Boneless turkey breast fillets
Turkey drumsticks or thighs
Ground turkey meatloaf
Turkey burgers or meatballs

With the right techniques, the Nesco roaster oven makes cooking a moist, delicious holiday turkey foolproof. Just follow the step-by-step instructions for a perfectly cooked bird your family will rave about. Enjoy the convenience of freeing up your main oven while letting the Nesco do all the hard work of roasting you a juicy, golden turkey.

how do i cook a turkey in a nesco roaster

Do I need to thaw my turkey before roasting?

Yes, no matter what type cooking method you use, you must thaw your turkey. Plan ahead because this takes several days!

If you’re in a hurry, fill a large pot or your sink with cold water. Next, place the unwrapped turkey breast-side down in the water (make sure it’s fully submerged). Thaw for a half hour per pound, changing the water every half hour.

What type of Roaster Oven is best for me?

We have three types of Roaster Ovens to choose from and the best one for you depends on what you’re cooking.

The classic 18 Qt. Roaster Oven has been a staple at holidays, parties, and gatherings for years. It can hold up to a 22 lb. turkey and even bake full pies. It can also be used for cooking and serving chili, hot dogs, or other hot foods for big get-togethers. While your 18 Qt. Roaster Oven cooks the turkey, you can use your oven for side dishes.

The smaller 6 Qt. Roaster Oven is very similar to its larger counterpart. It has the full versatility of the 18 Qt. Roaster Oven, but in a more compact size. Best suited for turkey breasts, Cornish game hens, or side dishes on Thanksgiving because of its compact size, it still features the versatile 200-400 degree temperature range. If you’re having a smaller Thanksgiving meal, this is the right Roaster Oven for you.

NESCO’s newest addition, the High Speed Roaster, is the fastest way to cook a turkey. It can cook up to an 18 lb. turkey in less than two hours and uses infrared lights to sear turkey skin to a perfect golden-brown perfection. The center heating element cooks from the inside out to ensure an even cook every time. This Roaster can also be used for other meat dishes like beef roasts or kebobs.

How to Roast a Turkey in a Nesco Electric Roaster – a Holiday to Remember

FAQ

How long does it take to cook a turkey in a Nesco roaster?

How long do I roast my turkey in a NESCO Roaster Oven? In a traditional Roaster Oven, turkeys takes 15 to 20 minutes to cook per pound, and an additional 30-45 minutes if the turkey is stuffed.

Do I need to put water in the bottom of a Nesco roaster?

Despite a long standing rumor, there is absolutely no need to put water in between pans when cooking in a NESCO. The patented NESCO Circle of Heat® provides consistent, even cooking throughout. Water will actually slow down the cooking process, and make it more difficult to clean up.

Do you put water in bottom of roaster when cooking a turkey?

“Often, consumers will inquire about adding water to the bottom of their roasting pans. We do not recommend adding water to the bottom of the pan. Cooking a turkey with steam is a moist heat-cook method and is acceptable, sure, but is not the preferred method for cooking your turkey.”

Should the turkey be on a rack in the roaster?

The point of using a rack is to let the heat of the oven circulate around the turkey. You don’t need a specially designed rack for your roasting pan, but you need something to lift the bird above the bottom of the pan. Balls of aluminum foil work perfectly well; you can also use upside-down ramekins.

How do you cook a Turkey in a NESCo oven?

Roaster Oven Preheat 18 quart NESCO® Roaster Oven to 400° F. Clean and rinse turkey. Pat dry. Remove neck and giblets. If desired, prepare separately. Place turkey on rack. Use a pastry brush to spread mixture of butter and browning sauce evenly over turkey skin. Season with poultry seasoning, salt and pepper.

Can you cook a Turkey in a NESCo roaster?

Add seasonings or stuffing to your turkey before cooking it in a Nesco. Ensure the stuffing reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safety. Cooking a turkey in a Nesco roaster is convenient and efficient, saving oven space and ensuring a juicy, well-cooked bird.

How much Turkey can a NESCo roaster hold?

Most standard Nesco roasters can comfortably accommodate a turkey up to 18 to 22 pounds. However, ensuring enough space around the turkey for even cooking is essential. Always check your Nesco’s user manual or the manufacturer’s recommendations to determine the maximum size of turkey suitable for your specific model.

How do you cook a roasted turkey?

Use baster, to remove any liquid from cavity of bird and from cookwell when cooking time is about half-way through. If dry, baste turkey with basting liquids. If turkey isn’t as brown as you like it, increase temperature to 400° F. Roast remaining portion of time.