How Long to Cook a Turkey in an Electric Roaster 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 a turkey in an electric roaster is a great way to free up oven space and ensure a juicy, flavorful bird But knowing exactly how long to cook a turkey in an electric roaster can be tricky Here is a detailed guide on timing and technique to help you nail Thanksgiving dinner with an electric roaster turkey.

Why Cook a Turkey in an Electric Roaster?

An electric roaster also known as a countertop roaster oven can cook a turkey as well as a regular oven – with some big advantages

Frees up oven space: You can use your regular oven for sides and desserts while the turkey cooks on the counter. No need to juggle oven space or cook items in batches.
Cooks faster: Electric roasters heat up quickly and retain heat well, shaving off 30% of cook time or more.
Self-basting lids: No need to constantly open the oven to baste. Electric roaster lids lock in moisture.
Less prep work: Electric roasters generate constant heat and moisture, so no basting or tenting with foil needed.
Moist and flavorful meat: The contained heat and steam keep turkey extra juicy.
Easier monitoring: Roaster ovens with view windows let you check on the turkey.
Lower energy use: Electric roasters use less energy than a full-size oven.
No heating up the kitchen: Keep your kitchen cool since the roaster doesn’t release as much ambient heat.

Choosing the Right Size Electric Roaster

Pick an electric roaster that fits the size of your turkey with a little room to spare:

16-18 quart roaster: Good for a 12-16 lb turkey
18-20 quart roaster: Fits a 16-20 lb turkey
20-22 quart roaster: Fits a 20-24 lb turkey

Look for a domed lid, which provides extra clearance. Avoid overloaded roasters where the turkey touches the sides.

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

Cooking times vary based on the size and stuffing, but here are general guidelines:

12-14 lb unstuffed turkey: About 2 1⁄2 – 3 hours
14-16 lb unstuffed turkey: About 3 – 3 1⁄2 hours
16-18 lb unstuffed turkey: About 3 1⁄2 – 4 hours
18-20 lb unstuffed turkey: About 4 – 4 1⁄2 hours
20-24 lb unstuffed turkey: About 4 1⁄2 – 5 hours

A stuffed turkey takes 30-45 minutes longer. Thaw turkeys in the fridge 24 hours for every 4-5 pounds.

For the most accurate timing, use an online turkey roasting time calculator and look up your specific roaster manual. And always use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.

Step-by-Step Guide to Roasting a Turkey in an Electric Roaster

Follow these steps for foolproof electric roaster turkey:

Select and thaw the turkey: Pick a size that fits your roaster and thaw in the fridge if frozen.
Prep the roaster and turkey: Heat empty roaster to max temp (450°-500°F). Pat turkey dry, remove giblets. Rub skin with oil or butter and seasonings.
Cook at high temp: Place turkey breast-side up on roasting rack in preheated electric roaster. Cook uncovered at max temp for 30 minutes to brown.
Finish roasting: Lower heat to 325°F and roast until internal temperature reaches 165°F in breast and 180°F in thighs. Calculate time based on size.
Rest and carve: Remove turkey from roaster and let rest 15-20 minutes before carving to let juices redistribute.
Make gravy: Use drippings from the roaster pan to make a delicious gravy.

Turkey Roasting Tips and Tricks

Brining adds flavor and moisture – soak turkey in a salt/sugar/herb solution for 8-24 hours before roasting.
Avoid opening the lid, which causes heat and moisture loss. Monitor with a view window.
Use a meat thermometer for accuracy. Electric roasters cook faster than ovens.
Letting the turkey rest before carving allows juices to absorb back into the meat.
Foil tenting is unnecessary since the roaster provides constant ambient heat.
Cook any stuffing in a casserole dish, not inside the turkey where it risks undercooking.

Get the Best Out of Your Electric Roaster Turkey

Mastering the electric roaster can take a few tries to get the timing right for your model. But following these guidelines will help ensure a perfectly cooked, moist and delicious holiday turkey with incredible pan drippings for gravy. Get ready for the best turkey – and freest oven – yet this Thanksgiving!

how long to cook a turkey in an electric 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 to Cook a Turkey in an electric roaster, EASY and QUICK! I Episode 6

FAQ

Does a turkey cook faster in an electric roaster?

Not only will an electric roaster cook your turkey faster, it won’t create any more heat in an already warm and stuffy room.

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

Don’t add water to the pan. Put the insert pan back into the roasting pan. If your roaster doesn’t have an insert pan, it’s ok – just be very careful putting the bird into that hot oven, you don’t want to burn your hands on the sides of the oven! Cover.

Do you cook a 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.

Should I cover my turkey with foil in a roaster?

We’ve found that covering a turkey in foil yields much moister results than roasting it without foil, and we favor simply covering up the breast to even out cooking time. Some people swear that roasting a turkey breast-side down and flipping it halfway through achieves the same results as a foil covered breast.

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 big a turkey can a Roaster Oven hold?

Thanks to their domed lids, some large electric roaster ovens can accommodate up to a 25 pound turkey. When you’re shopping for a roaster oven, the size may be listed in quarts, but the product description will usually state how large a turkey it can accommodate as well.

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 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.