Cooking Your Holiday Bird in a Nesco Roaster – Tips and Techniques

The holidays are fast approaching, and for many that means it’s time to cook up a turkey. If you have a Nesco roaster, you may be wondering if you can use it to cook your holiday bird. The short answer – absolutely!

Nesco roasters are perfectly designed to roast a juicy, flavorful turkey with ease. Here’s everything you need to know about cooking turkey in a Nesco, from thawing to roasting for a holiday meal the whole family will love

Benefits of Using a Nesco Roaster for Turkey

There are some key advantages to using a Nesco roaster instead of the traditional oven method:

Moist and Tender Meat – The tight seal locks in moisture, while the roaster’s shape distributes heat evenly. This prevents drying out.
Crispy Skin – The Nesco’s high heat at the top caramelizes and crisps up the skin beautifully
Saves Oven Space – Free up your main oven for all those holiday side dishes.
Energy Efficient – Uses less energy than an oven for the long cook time.
Portability – Bring your cooked turkey anywhere by loading up the detachable roaster.
Versatile – Use your Nesco all year long for roasts, baked goods, and more.

Size Turkey Your Nesco Can Handle

Standard 18-22 quart Nesco roasters can fit turkeys up to 18-22 pounds comfortably.
Allow space around the turkey for airflow – do not overstuff.
Check your manual for size recommendations for your model.
For smaller gatherings, roast turkey breast in the Nesco instead of a whole bird.

Step-by-Step Guide to Roasting Turkey in a Nesco

Follow these simple steps for turkey roasting success:

1. Thaw the Turkey

Thaw frozen turkey in the fridge 1 day per 5 pounds.
Submerge wrapped turkey in cold water, changing every 30 mins to quick thaw.

2. Prep the Bird

Remove gizzards and neck from cavities. Rinse inside and out.
Pat extremely dry all over with paper towels – moisture prevents crisping.
Rub skin all over with oil or butter and season generously with salt and pepper.

3. Preheat the Nesco

Preheat to 450°F for at least 10 minutes before cooking.

4. Add Liquid (Optional)

Adding 1-2 cups of liquid isn’t required, but will add moisture. Use water, wine, or turkey stock.

5. Put Turkey in Roaster

Place breast side up on top of the rack.
Make sure airflow is unobstructed around the sides.

6. Set Cook Time and Temp

Reduce heat to 325°F after placing turkey in roaster.
Cook approximately 15 minutes per pound. For a 15 lb turkey, that’s about 3.5 hours.

7. Baste and Tent

Baste with pan juices every 45-60 minutes to prevent drying.
If breast browns too quickly, lightly tent with foil.

8. Check Internal Temperature

Thickest part of thigh should reach 165°F on a meat thermometer.
Juices should run clear when pierced.

9. Let Rest and Carve

Remove turkey and let rest 15-20 minutes before carving to allow juices to settle.
Slice, serve, and enjoy your perfect Nesco roasted holiday turkey!

With the right techniques, the Nesco roaster can cook your turkey to tender, juicy perfection. Follow these tips for phenomenal holiday feasts. Let your Nesco become your new go-to for cooking turkey and other roasts.

can you cook a turkey in a nesco roaster

Adventures in Finding a Nesco

For years, I searched in vain for a gadget like this – I finally stumbled upon one in an antique shop on Western Avenue, where they also had a few unrestored Wedgewood stoves. I finally found out what it was called – a Nesco.

One day, watching QVC because nothing else was on, and there was no Internet at that time, I saw a four-quart Nesco and decided to order it. When it arrived, I was so thrilled! It was too small to cook a turkey, but a nice chicken definitely fit. It also made a mean meatloaf.

The thing that I really loved about my Nesco was that I could use it in the summertime without heating up my kitchen. I could use it to keep food warm and put fried chicken in it to ensure it was completely cooked. I loved my little Nesco, and when we moved, and it got lost, I was crestfallen.

However, I have always felt that every cloud has a silver lining, so losing the small one meant I could get a large one as my grandmother had. I found a used eighteen-quart with a buffet service on eBay and bought it. Of course, you don’t have to go through what I did; you can go to Nesco and get one whenever you want.

My “new” Nesco arrived just before Thanksgiving, just in time to roast the turkey. It was very flavorful, moist, and juicy, but it did not have the nice crispy skin that my grandmother had.

The next year, I tried a different approach. When I was nine years old, my mother asked me to put a roast of beef in the oven before she got home from work. I didn’t know any better and put the oven on to 450 degrees. After fifteen minutes or so, I could smell it and thought maybe the temperature was too high, so I lowered it to 300. It turned out perfect, moist, and juicy. Starting it at high heat seared the meat, sealing in the juices. From then on, I did that with anything I roasted, including turkeys.

I could do that in the Nesco, too, but it would still not have the crispy skin, so I came up with a new plan. First, I would brine the turkey, inject it with seasonings, put it in a regular pan, put it in a 450 oven for 15 minutes, and then transfer it to the Nesco.

Wow! What a bird that was! It was the perfect turkey with the nicely browned, crispy skin from being in the oven and was moist and juicy from being roasted in the Nesco.

What Perfect Turkey is Supposed to Be

I didn’t go to my Grandmother’s for Thanksgiving. My mother and I usually cooked a Cornish hen and left it at that. When my mother died, I moved in with my Aunt Georgia, Grandmother, and Grandfather. This was when I discovered a really good turkey, the way turkey was supposed to be.

This recipe for a perfect turkey in a Nesco uses the liquid brine method. If you want the dry brine method, please head on over to Dry Brine Turkey in a Nesco Oven.

How to Roast a Perfect Turkey in a Nesco Electric RoasterHow to get your turkey’s skin crisp but keep the meat moist in a Nesco roaster oven – with a timetable.Read Morethe-good-plate.com

Every other time I had had turkey, it looked and tasted like my budgie’s cuttlebone. Seriously, I did not know why anyone would want to present something as nasty as that for a holiday all about giving thanks. What? You’re thankful that you don’t have to eat that?

I was curious at fifteen. I liked to cook, so I hung around with my grandmother while she made the feast. The first thing I noticed was this strange pink oven in the middle of the kitchen. It had a little metal stand that it rested on. It also had a big red button and a dial to control the heat.

What came out of this marvelous contraption was a perfect turkey, the juiciest turkey I had ever had. This was something to be truthfully thankful for. Update: See the bottom of this post for a video about the wonderful 18-quart Nesco Oven.

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.

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.

Can I use a turkey bag in a NESCO?

Your NESCO may be used as a portable oven by placing casserole dishes, glass, stainless steel or aluminum baking pans on the rack in the preheated cookwell. Do not use roasting bags in roasters.

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

Put the bird in the insert pan on top of the rack. Don’t add water to the pan. Put the insert pan back into the roasting pan.

How long do you cook a Turkey in a NESCo Roaster Oven?

This Roaster can also be used for other meat dishes like beef roast s or kebobs. 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. With the High Speed Roaster Oven, cook time is 6 minutes per pound.

How do you cook a Turkey on a NESCo?

Pour 2 cups of water into the bottom of the Nesco to create steam during cooking. This helps in keeping the turkey moist. Position your turkey, breast side up, on the Nesco’s cooking rack. Ensure there’s space around the bird so that the heat circulates evenly. Lower the temperature to 350°F. Cook the turkey for approximately 15 minutes per pound.

Can a NESCo roaster Cook a Turkey on-site?

You can cook or warm your turkey on-site. Versatility: Beyond turkey, the Nesco roaster is versatile enough to cook various dishes, from soups and stews to baked goods. Easy Cleanup: Many Nesco roasters have removable cooking wells, making them easier to clean than traditional ovens.

Which NESCo Roaster Oven is best for Thanksgiving?

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.