How Long to Cook a Turkey in an Electric Roaster Oven for a Perfectly Cooked Bird

My juicy Roaster Oven Turkey will be your new holiday favorite. It’s so simple and delicious, but the best part is that cooks faster and frees up oven space for the yummy side dishes.

I’m all about a delicious, moist turkey for Thanksgiving. I also like trying different techniques each year too…from my Southwest Smoked Turkey to my deep fried turkey. And now my roaster oven turkey is my new favorite. It turns out so moist and juicy in the roaster oven.

The turkey cooks faster in the roaster oven and frees up oven space for all the yummy Thanksgiving side dishes. I’m all about freeing up oven space for the thousand side dishes I always want to make. I can’t be the only one that wants to make all the side dishes I see on Pinterest.

Cooking the star of your Thanksgiving meal – the turkey – can seem daunting, but using an electric roaster oven makes it so much easier. As a busy home cook, I love using my electric roaster to free up oven space and reduce cook time while still getting a juicy, flavorful turkey. In this article, I’ll walk through everything you need to know to cook a turkey to perfection in an electric roaster.

What is an Electric Roaster Oven?

An electric roaster oven is a counter-top appliance that can cook anything you’d normally prepare in your regular oven. It looks like a large oval pan with a tempered glass lid. Electric roasters range in size from 16-22 quarts with most able to accommodate a 20-24 pound turkey.

The main benefits of using an electric roaster for your Thanksgiving turkey are:

Frees up oven space for sides and pies
Shortened cook time due to better heat circulation
Self-basting lids for continuous moisture
Keeps kitchen cooler than running a regular oven
Doubles as a food warmer for serving

How Big of a Turkey Will Fit in an Electric Roaster?

Most electric roaster ovens can fit a turkey up to 24 pounds. To be safe, allow 1 pound of turkey per quart capacity of your roaster. So a 22-quart roaster can fit a 22 pound bird. I recommend selecting a roaster with at least 18 quarts of capacity to have enough room, even if you’re cooking a smaller turkey.

If you’ll be cooking an exceptionally large turkey, look for an electric roaster with a domed lid to allow extra clearance You can also opt to cook two smaller turkeys rather than try to cram one huge bird into the roaster

How Long Does it Take to Cook a Turkey in an Electric Roaster Oven?

Cooking time will vary based on the size and weight of your turkey, whether it is stuffed or unstuffed, and the temperature of the roaster. Here are some general guidelines

12-14 lb unstuffed turkey: 2 1⁄2 – 3 hours
14-18 lb unstuffed turkey: 3 – 3 1⁄2 hours
18-22 lb unstuffed turkey: 3 1⁄2 – 4 hours
Stuffed turkeys take 30-45 minutes longer

For the most accurate cook time, refer to the chart on your electric roaster’s instruction manual. And always use a meat thermometer to check doneness rather than relying solely on time.

Turkey Roasting Tips for an Electric Roaster Oven

Follow these tips for roasting the perfect turkey in your electric roaster:

Thaw turkey completely before cooking
Pat dry and season skin with oil, salt, pepper, herbs
Place turkey breast-side up on roasting rack
Resist opening the lid during cooking for fastest cook time
Use a probe thermometer to monitor temp without lifting lid
Cook until breast reaches 165°F and thighs 180°F
Let rest 20 minutes before carving

I like to rub the turkey skin with a blend of olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. For extra flavor, place halved lemons, onions, garlic cloves, or herbs in the cavity.

Ensuring Food Safety

Proper handling and cooking are key to preventing foodborne illness when working with raw turkey:

Thaw turkey in the fridge, allow 24 hrs per 4-5 lbs
Don’t wash raw turkey, which can spread bacteria
Use separate cutting boards/utensils for raw turkey
Cook to safe minimum internal temperature (165°F)
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours

As long as you thoroughly cook the turkey to 165°F in the breast and 180°F in the thighs, as measured by a food thermometer, you can safely roast a tasty turkey in your electric roaster oven.

Time to Enjoy Your Perfectly Cooked Bird!

how long do you cook turkey in roaster

Roaster Oven TurkeyPrep Time:

My juicy Roaster Oven Turkey will be your new holiday favorite. Its so simple and delicious, but the best part is that cooks faster and frees up oven space for the yummy side dishes.

1 whole turkey (up to 20lbs)
1⁄4 cup olive oil or 1/4 cup butter
2 1/2 tsps seasoning salt
2 1/2 tsps poultry seasoning
3/4 tsp pepper

Spray roaster oven with non-stick cooking spray or line pan with foil.
Remove the bag of organs and anything that is in the cavity of the turkey. DO NOT rinse, but pat turkey completely dry with paper towels.
In a small bowl, combine poultry seasoning, seasoning salt, and pepper.
Rub turkey with oil or butter and liberally sprinkle seasoning over the outside of the bird and pour some inside the cavity and rub around.
Place turkey in the roaster (I prefer breast side up). Insert digital thermometer and place lid on top. Set thermometer based on where you inserted the probe. 180F for thigh or 165F for breast. Juices should run clear and not be pink.
The Butterball website has a great calculator to get an estimate on how long your turkey will take to cook. Check your turkey early since its easy to over cook and dry out a turkey.
When done, remove the turkey from the roaster, tent with foil, and let rest for 20 minutes. If you want to crisp the skin more, then put under the boiler for a couple minutes just before serving. Watch it closely so it doesnt burn.

Crispy skin tips:

To get that crispy skin, no matter how you decide to make your turkey is to pat it dry and then use a high quality oil or butter. Using butter will help brown the skin as well. If the skin doesnt get as crispy as youd like in the roaster oven, stick the turkey under the broiler for a couple minutes to finish it off.

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How I Season & Cook Turkey in an electric roaster #thanksgiving #christmas

FAQ

How long does it take for a 14 lb turkey to cook in a roaster?

How long does a turkey take to cook in an electric roaster? It depends on how big the turkey is! Plan for about 10 minutes per pound of turkey, but always check with a thermometer so you don’t overcook it. The internal temperature of the breast will reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit when it’s done.

Do you put water in the 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 I roast my turkey at 325 or 350?

Roasting the bird slowly, at a lower temperature is the best way to achieve tender meat. You should still prep the bird with butter, salt, and pepper, as described above (or dry-brine it). To cook, set your oven to 325°F and roast for 3½ to 4 hours for a 12- to 14-pound bird.

Is it better to put turkey in oven or electric roaster?

Roaster ovens takes 30 percent less time and uses 36 percent less energy based on average time and energy savings when using a roaster vs. a conventional oven. Many people are concerned that their roaster oven won’t brown the turkey the same way that an oven does, however it still can.

How long does a roasted turkey take to cook?

Remove the rack from the roaster oven. Place turkey in the roaster on the rack breast side up. Rub the turkey with the butter and season with salt and pepper. Cover the roaster and cook at 400 degrees for 30 minutes. Lower the heat to 325 degrees and cook for 3 ½ – 4 hours. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What is the cooking time for a roasted turkey?

How long do you cook a Turkey in an electric roaster?

Avoid removing the lid too often or the roaster will lose its heat. Let it rest – Carefully use the handles to lift the bird out of the electric roaster. Cover it with foil, and let it rest for at least 30 minutes before slicing. Plan to cook the turkey for 8 to 10 minutes per pound. Here are a few estimated cooking times to get you started.

How do you cook a Turkey in a roaster?

Place the turkey into the roasting pan with the breast facing up, then set the pan inside the roaster oven and put the lid on. (No need to use a turkey bag, as the roaster will keep it plenty moist!) Turn the roaster to its highest temperature — that’s 450 degrees on my roaster, but yours might be different — and set a timer for 30 minutes.

How long do you cook a 10 pound turkey?

Allow at least 24 hours for a 10-pound turkey and 48 hours for a larger turkey. * Rinse the turkey inside and out, and pat it dry. * Rub the turkey with a mixture of butter, olive oil, and herbs. * Place the turkey in the roaster breast-side up. * Add 1 cup of water to the bottom of the roaster.