This not only makes cooking turkey to perfection simple, but it also makes the entire meal more manageable.
In terms of cooking a turkey AND all of the sides in one oven, I had officially reached my breaking point a few Thanksgivings ago. Constantly attempting the impossible wasn’t working for me, so I decided there had to be a better way (unfortunately, my dream of having a double oven has yet to come true!)
A quick point to make: Even if I had a second oven, that wouldn’t have changed the fact that a conventional oven isn’t the best cooking device for a turkey. Oven doors aren’t very effective at stopping heat and moisture loss, which are frequently to blame for dry turkey.
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Cooking the turkey in an electric countertop roaster oven, which consistently produces perfectly roasted and juicy turkeys and frees up my oven for other uses, was the simple solution to my problem.
I’ll be sharing my exact procedure for roasting a turkey in an electric roaster today. Try it out and experience the delight of having more oven space for the holidays!
What Is An Electric Roaster?
An electric roaster is a countertop device that resembles a conventional turkey roaster in shape. It serves as a miniature oven and can bake, roast, steam, warm, and slowly cook a variety of foods that you would typically cook in an oven. When not in use, the majority are easily tucked away because they are electric.
An electric roaster retains moisture better than other cookers, much like a slow cooker or Instant Pot, to help stop your food from drying out. Contrarily, a conventional oven permits moisture to escape while cooking through the door and vents.
When cooking meats, the electric roaster’s capacity to hold moisture is especially useful. On Thanksgiving Day, you’ll need a tried-and-true method to roast a juicy turkey, preferably without using up valuable oven space.
How To Cook Turkey In An Electric Roaster
A large electric roaster’s domed lid allows it to accommodate a turkey up to 25 lbs. Therefore, even if you’re cooking for a large group, there will be plenty of room.
Do You Have To Put Water In An Electric Roaster?
Electric roasters have the advantage of “self-basting,” which means that any moisture lost to evaporation condenses on the inside of the lid and drips back onto the bird. Instead of manually basting your turkey several times throughout cooking, it’s so much simpler to achieve a moist turkey this way.
Therefore, there is no need to add water; simply place the prepared turkey in your electric roaster, close the lid, and wait until the internal temperature of the turkey reaches 165°F. Once the turkey is finished and you’ve removed it, you can make the gravy right in the pan without using a separate dish.
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What Is The Best Electric Roaster?
There are several excellent electric roaster brands to choose from. I like my Oster 22-Quart Roaster Oven because it’s large, has a removable pan and roasting rack for easy clean-up, and has a wide cooking temperature range (150-450ºF).
But I’m certain there are a number of excellent options available that will all function essentially the same. Just be certain to pick one that is big enough for the turkey you intend to cook and has a lot of positive feedback.
You’ll need:
Directions:
Step 1 – Brine
Start by brining the turkey. (Though technically not required, brining reduces moisture loss before cooking. It’s also traditional, so I’ve stuck with it!).
Put your turkey in a clean bucket and add cold water to it. Then add one cup each of salt and sugar to the water bucket. After giving it a good stir to help it dissolve, put the bucket in your refrigerator. Allow the turkey to brine for 24 hours (you may need to reposition some shelves to make this possible!).
Step 2 – Stuff & Season
When brining is finished, take the turkey out of the bucket and give it a cold water rinse. After that, use some paper towels to pat it dry. Don’t forget to give your sink a thorough cleaning!
It’s time to stuff your turkey if you’re going to if you plan to, so add 3/4 cup of stuffing per pound of turkey. (Since we typically prepare our stuffing separately, I’ll just mince up a few lemons and an onion and place them in the bird’s cavity.) ).
The turkey should then have its exterior rubbed with butter or olive oil, and heavily seasoned with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
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Step 3 – Roast
Place the turkey into the roasting pan breast side up, and set the pan inside your electric roaster. Cover, and turn the roaster on to its highest heat setting (mine goes to 450°, but yours might be different). Set a timer for 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes, turn the temperature on the roaster down to 325°, then cook until the turkey is done. (The total cook time will depend on the size of your particular turkey. I recommend using a calculator like this one from Butterball.com to determine your total cook time!)
Starting with an approximate cook time in mind is helpful, but the best way to know that the turkey is done is to use a meat thermometer. Shoot for a temperature of 180°F in the thigh area and 165°F in the breast (and stuffing, if applicable).
I like to use a meat thermometer with a remote temperature gauge (like this one) because I don’t have to remove the lid to check the temperature during cooking. Since roasters are so small, taking the lid off can cause a drastic drop in temperature inside, so the less you have to remove the lid, the better off you’ll be!
Another benefit of using the “hands-off!” strategy is that more of the mouthwatering juices and drippings will remain in the roaster. You can make tons of delicious gravy using this method because it will produce all the juices you need!
My last piece of advice for roasting is to begin monitoring the temperature EARLY. Years ago, when I first started using this roaster method to prepare our Thanksgiving turkey, I was surprised to discover that it was cooking faster than I had anticipated. However, because of how early I had begun monitoring the temperature, I was able to reduce the heat to prevent the turkey from drying out.
Step 4 – Rest & Serve
When your turkey is finished cooking, take out the entire removable rack from the roaster and cover it with a substantial piece of foil. While you prepare the gravy in the roaster pan, let the turkey rest for at least 20 minutes (or up to an hour), then carve and serve!
You won’t have to worry about your oven being held hostage all day long for a juicy, tender turkey!
Even my son Erik, who normally doesn’t even like turkey, said that this method has completely changed his opinion about Thanksgiving turkey! That is a ringing endorsement if I’ve ever heard one!:-) My family was initially pretty skeptical about this method, but the delicious results turned them all into believers.
BONUS: Other Foods You Can Cook In An Electric Roaster
An electric roaster works similarly to a slow cooker, so you can use it to roast other foods or prepare large quantities of your favorite dishes, although it’s great for roasting turkeys. Here are a few of my preferred foods to roast in an electric oven:
What is your best advice for managing a constrained oven during the holidays?
How To Cook A Turkey In An Electric Roaster
Step 1 – Brine
Step 2 – Stuff & Season
Step 3 – Roast
Step 4 – Rest & Serve
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Every day, I offer innovative tips for homemaking and living that will improve your quality of life.
More Ideas From Food & Recipes
I offer innovative tips for homemaking and living that make your life simpler and more enjoyable!
More Ideas From Food & Recipes
FAQ
How many hours per pound do you cook a turkey breast?
The solution is straightforward: 20 minutes per pound at 350°F. For instance, I roasted my 3-pound turkey breast at 350°F for a total of 60 minutes. An instant read thermometer can really save your life in these situations if you’re ever unsure whether your bird is finished cooking.
How do I cook a 10 pound turkey breast in an electric roaster?
Planning 8 to 10 minutes per pound for an unstuffed bird at 325 degrees Fahrenheit is necessary. Always read the instructions in your roaster because they may differ from one another. Additionally, the roaster has a “warm” setting you can use if the turkey is finished a little sooner.
How long to cook a turkey at 350 in a roaster?
Calculate turkey cooking time and temperature. Calculating 13 minutes per pound at 350°F for an unstuffed turkey is the simplest way to determine how long to roast a 12- to 14-lb. turkey), or 15 minutes per pound for a stuffed turkey.
Do you cook a turkey breast up or down in a roaster?
Cooking a whole turkey breast side up for the duration of the cooking process is recommended by the United States Department of Agriculture. It can be risky to turn over a large, hot bird because it’s very simple to tear the skin, which lessens the appeal of the final product.