Can You Really Cook a Turkey in a Toaster Oven?

This holiday season, get delicious turkey without using valuable oven space by making electric roaster oven turkey! The turkey cooks separately, and you can enjoy a juicy, perfect roast turkey with golden brown skin.

One of the big problems home cooks face at Thanksgiving is fitting everything in the oven! You have pies, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, scalloped potatoes, rolls, and more, all fighting for precious oven space.

And a turkey will take up most of the space. I’ve never had a house with a double oven, so my solution is to cook the turkey in an electric roaster oven. A separate roaster oven cooks the turkey and contains all the juices and mess.

And your holiday bird cooks even faster in an electric turkey roaster than a regular oven, so you don’t have to get up at 7 am to start dinner!

As Thanksgiving approaches, you may be wondering if it’s possible to cook a turkey in a toaster oven. With smaller households and kitchens, toaster ovens have become an increasingly popular appliance. But can these small ovens really handle cooking a whole turkey? I decided to find out.

Why Cook a Turkey in a Toaster Oven?

There are a few key reasons you may want to use a toaster oven instead of a full-size oven:

Smaller Households If you’re only cooking for 1-4 people, a full turkey may be overkill. A toaster oven lets you cook just a breast or other smaller cuts
Limited Oven Space If your main oven is occupied with other dishes, the toaster oven offers extra space
Energy Efficient A toaster oven uses less energy than a large oven It can help lower your electricity bill,
Lower Heat: During hot weather, a toaster oven won’t make your kitchen as hot as using a full oven.
Portability: A toaster oven is smaller and can be easily moved to different areas, unlike a built-in oven.

Key Factors for Cooking a Turkey in a Toaster Oven

Before you cook a turkey in a toaster oven, there are some important factors to consider:

Turkey Size: You’ll need to select a small turkey, generally 12 lbs or under. Turkey breasts are a great option.
Toaster Oven Size: Make sure your turkey will actually fit! Look at interior dimensions.
Cooking Time: It will take longer than a regular oven. Plan for about 45 minutes per lb.
Temperature Control: Toaster ovens can run hot. Use an oven thermometer and adjust temp if needed.
Convection Setting: This will cook the turkey more evenly if your toaster oven has it.

Step-By-Step Guide to Cooking a Turkey in a Toaster Oven

Follow these steps for foolproof turkey cooked in a toaster oven:

1. Choose and Prepare the Turkey

Select a small boneless turkey breast, no more than 5 lbs. Rinse it, pat dry, and rub it with olive oil, salt, and pepper.

2. Preheat Toaster Oven to 325°F

Make sure there’s enough clearance for the turkey. Use oven thermometer to check temp.

3. Place Turkey Breast on Rack

Use a rack in a roasting pan or rimmed baking sheet. This allows air circulation.

4. Cook Turkey Breast 45 Minutes Per Pound

For a 5 lb breast, that’s about 3.5 hours. Baste occasionally with pan drippings.

5. Use Meat Thermometer to Check Internal Temp

Turkey is done at 165°F. If needed, tent with foil to prevent overbrowning.

6. Let Turkey Rest Before Carving

Allow at least 15 minutes resting time before slicing for juicy meat.

Toaster Oven Turkey Cooking Tips

Follow these tips for the best results:

Baste the turkey every 30 minutes to keep it moist. Use broth, wine, or melted butter.
Tent the turkey with foil if the top browns too quickly.
Use a meat thermometer to ensure the turkey reaches 165°F internally.
Let the turkey rest at least 15 minutes before slicing for juicy, tender meat.
Carve the turkey in the toaster oven for added juiciness. The resting heat will keep it warm.

Common Toaster Oven Turkey Problems and Solutions

Even if you follow all the steps, you may still run into a few issues:

Problem: Turkey is not fully cooked.

Solution: Increase cook time, checking temperature frequently. Convection setting can help turkeys cook faster.

Problem: Turkey skin is dried out.

Solution: Baste frequently and tent with foil earlier if skin is browning too fast.

Problem: Turkey is burnt on the outside but raw inside.

Solution: Cook at lower temp (300°F), and tent with foil sooner. Check internal temp early.

Problem: Smoking occurs during cooking.

Solution: Make sure turkey is thoroughly dried before cooking. Excess moisture can cause smoking.

The Verdict: Yes, You Can Cook Turkey in a Toaster Oven!

Based on my research and testing, I can confidently say that it is possible to cook a moist, delicious turkey in a toaster oven. However, it does require more effort and attention than using a full-size oven. The keys are choosing the right small turkey size, monitoring the temperature closely, and tenting with foil to prevent burning. While it requires some work, the end result can be a perfectly cooked turkey breast ready for your holiday table. Give it a try this Thanksgiving if you’re short on oven space!

can you cook a turkey in a toaster oven

⏱️How Long Do you Cook Turkey in an Electric Roaster?

Cooking time depends on the size of the bird and whether or not it was thawed completely. In general, an electric roaster will cook faster than a conventional oven.

When calculating the expected cooking time, allow 15-20 minutes per pound. The cooking time will be longer if you stuff it and shorter if you brine it. I like to brine my turkey and never stuff it, so mine is ready at the lower end of time estimates.

The best way to ensure your Thanksgiving turkey is fully cooked but not overcooked is to use an instant-read thermometer and test the temperature. Do not guess, and do not just rely on the tiny popup thermometers in the bird.

Meat thermometers aren’t expensive, and food poisoning is never fun, but it is worse during the holidays! So be safe and invest a few dollars in a thermometer.

Or follow your own family traditions! My family insists on macaroni & cheese and chocolate chip pumpkin bread for the holidays. When my sister visits, she brings sauerkraut and collard greens. Turkey goes with everything!

can you cook a turkey in a toaster oven

Leftover meat can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 5 days. We love to use the leftovers to make turkey and bacon BLTs the day after the holidays! You can also use the carcass to make stock.

❓How Do I Make my Turkey Golden Brown?

A turkey cooked in a regular oven will be a little more brown and crispy than one cooked in a roaster. You have to do a little extra if you want perfectly golden brown turkey in a roaster oven. Here are some options:

After cooking the turkey, put it under the broiler for a few minutes to crisp the skin.
Brush browning sauce on the bird before roasting. This is used to add color to roasts and gravy. You can find it in the gravy aisle at most grocery stores or buy it online.

How to Cook a Turkey Half in the Toaster Oven

FAQ

Can I use a toaster oven in place of an oven?

Most things that can be baked will work in a toaster oven, if scaled down to a size and quantity that can fit inside of it. A toaster oven has several unique advantages over a big oven. Because it is small, it heats up quickly.

Is it safe to cook meat in a toaster oven?

Raw meat can be cooked in most toaster ovens if they are able to reach high enough temperatures. It is important to make sure that the meat is cooked to the correct internal temperature and that you follow proper food heating guidelines. Steak, for example, should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F.

Does a toaster oven cook like a regular oven?

Many toaster ovens will cook at similar times and temperatures to a conventional oven, and you can follow the directions in the recipe you’re preparing. However, some might cook a little faster, in which case you’ll want to reduce the cook time.

How long do you cook a turkey breast in a toaster oven?

For a turkey breast, you will need to cook it for about 20 minutes per pound at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. You can cook a turkey in a toaster oven using either convection mode or regular mode. Convection mode circulates hot air around the turkey, which helps to cook it evenly.

How to cook a Turkey in a toaster oven?

To cook a turkey in a toaster oven, you will need: 1. Preheat your toaster oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 2. Rinse the turkey inside and out and pat it dry with paper towels. 3. Season the turkey inside and out with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves. 4.

How big should a Turkey be for a toaster oven?

A turkey weighing around 10 to 12 pounds is generally the ideal size for toaster oven cooking. Thaw the Turkey Thoroughly: Allow enough time to thaw the turkey fully before cooking. Thawing in the refrigerator is the safest method. Remember to factor in the thawing time when planning your meal.

Can you cook turkey bacon in a toaster oven?

If you want to cook your turkey bacon in a toaster oven, you can do it through the following steps: Preheat the toaster oven to 400°F. If it has no temperature setting, just let it heat up for around 5-10 minutes. To make cleanup easier, line your baking pan with aluminum foil or baking paper.