If you were shocked to learn that you could roast a frozen turkey, you’re in for another surprise: You can roast that turkey while you sleep, too.
At a typical roasting temperature (around 325ºF), a large turkey can take upwards of four hours to roast. Add in pulling the bird out of the fridge beforehand to take off the chill, rest time, and carving, and you’re looking at nearly six hours. If you aim to serve your turkey around lunchtime, this means starting things at 7 a.m. If you can feel your blood pressure rising just thinking about it, don’t fret, there’s an easier way: roast the turkey overnight.
The unconventional cooking method of roasting a turkey while you sleep might seem crazy on the outset, but it actually makes a lot of sense. Cooked low and slow, turkey is tender, juicy, and pretty hard to mess up.
Cooking a turkey can be intimidating, especially if you’re tackling the bird for the first time on Thanksgiving While the traditional turkey roasting temperature is 325°F, some cooks swear by using a lower temperature between 170°F and 200°F to get a tender and juicy bird But is it safe to cook a turkey at 200 degrees?
The short answer is yes, you can safely cook a turkey at 200 degrees Fahrenheit if you follow a few guidelines. Here’s what you need to know about getting perfect results when roasting your turkey low and slow.
Why Cook a Turkey at 200 Degrees?
There are a few advantages to cooking your turkey at a lower oven temperature
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Moist and tender meat – The low heat gently cooks the turkey, breaking down the proteins and collagen over an extended period of time. This helps keep the meat incredibly moist and tender.
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Forgiving method – Since the turkey cooks slowly over many hours, there’s less risk of over or undercooking. The bird has plenty of time to reach the ideal internal temperature.
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Make-ahead convenience – You can pop the turkey in the oven early in the morning or even overnight, freeing up time and oven space on Thanksgiving day.
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Adds flavor – The long cook time allows the seasonings and aromatics to fully permeate the meat, developing deep layers of flavor.
How to Cook a Turkey at 200 Degrees
Follow these simple steps for roasting turkey at 200°F:
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Prep the turkey – Remove the giblets and neck from the cavity Rinse the turkey inside and out, then pat dry Truss the legs together and tuck the wing tips under. Rub the skin all over with butter or oil and season generously with salt and pepper. Stuff aromatics like onions, carrots, celery and herbs into the cavity.
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Preheat the oven – Set the oven temperature to 200°F. Place a roasting rack inside a heavy roasting pan and add 1-2 cups of broth or water to the bottom.
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Roast the turkey – Place the seasoned turkey breast side up on the roasting rack. Tent loosely with aluminum foil. Roast for 8-10 hours for a 12-15 lb turkey, adding more time for larger birds.
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Finish and rest – Remove foil, increase oven temperature to 450°F and roast until the skin is nicely browned, about 30 minutes. Let rest 20-30 minutes before carving.
Tip: For even cooking, rotate the pan from front to back halfway through roasting. Check the temperature after 6 hours and continue roasting until the breast reaches 160°F and the thighs reach 175°F.
Food Safety Tips
To ensure your turkey roasts safely at a lower oven temperature, follow these guidelines:
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Cook at 200°F or above. Temperatures between 170-200°F are ideal.
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Use a meat thermometer to verify doneness. Cook until the breast reaches 160°F and thighs reach 175°F.
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Keep the oven door closed as much as possible. Opening the door frequently causes the oven temperature to fluctuate.
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Thaw turkey completely before cooking from frozen. Don’t roast a frozen turkey at 200°F.
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Roast breast side up to prevent the meat from sitting in drippings for extended periods.
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Cook stuffing separately to prevent bacterial growth. Never stuff poultry ahead of time when roasting at low temps.
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Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking. Reheat thoroughly to 165°F before serving.
Overnight Method
For ultimate convenience, you can even roast your turkey while you sleep using an overnight method:
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Night before: Season turkey as desired. Place breast side up on a rack in a roasting pan. Add broth/water to the pan. Tent turkey tightly with foil.
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Evening: Preheat oven to 170°F-200°F. Place turkey in oven and roast for 8-12 hours overnight.
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Morning: Remove foil, increase oven temp to 450°F and roast 30 mins to crisp skin. Check internal temperature and continue roasting if needed until 165°F breast/175°F thighs.
This hands-off overnight method lets you wake up to a perfect turkey! Just be sure to allow enough time for the bird to fully cook and rest before carving and serving.
FAQs
Is it safe to cook stuffing inside the turkey at 200°F?
No, do not stuff poultry when roasting at low temperatures. The stuffing stays in the bacteria growth danger zone too long. Cook stuffing separately to be safe.
Can I cook a frozen turkey at 200 degrees?
Do not attempt to roast a fully frozen turkey at 200°F. Always thaw completely in the fridge for 2-3 days before slow roasting.
What if my oven won’t go as low as 200°F?
If your oven’s minimum temperature is above 200°F, simply use the lowest setting available. Any temperature between 170-325°F will work. Just extend the cooking time for lower temperatures.
Can I baste my turkey while it cooks at 200°F?
Basting is not necessary when roasting at low temps. The turkey stays moist due to the gentle heat. Avoid opening the oven door frequently as this causes the temperature to drop.
How long does it take to roast a turkey at 200 degrees?
Cook times will vary based on the size of your turkey. Plan for about 8-10 hours for a 12-15 lb turkey. Add about 30-40 minutes of cooking time per pound over 15 lbs. Check internal temp after 6 hours.
Should I roast the turkey breast side up or down at 200°F?
Roast breast side up when cooking at low temperatures. This prevents the breast meat from sitting in drippings for extended periods of time.
The Takeaway
Yes, you can absolutely cook a turkey at oven temperatures as low as 200°F. Just be sure to follow food safety guidelines. When roasted low and slow, your turkey will turn out incredibly tender and moist. For best results, use a meat thermometer and cook until the breast reaches 160°F and thighs reach 175°F. With proper planning, this set-and-forget roasting method takes all the labor out of your Thanksgiving meal.
How to Cook a Turkey Overnight
- When you’re starting to think about going to bed, preheat your oven to somewhere between 170-180ºF. If your oven temperature does not go this low, set it to its coolest setting; anything up to 200ºF is fine. Pull the turkey out of the refrigerator, season it with salt and aromatics, and rub the outside with butter. Set a rack in a roasting pan, fill the pan with about a quart of water, arrange the turkey breast-side up on the rack, and wrap the pan tightly in aluminum foil.
- Roast the turkey while you sleep and get ready in the morning (as long as 9-11 hours). Don’t worry about basting; the low temperature and moisture from the water will cook it gently.
- Remove the foil and take the turkey’s temperature with an instant-read thermometer. Your end goal: a temperature of 160ºF in the breast and 170-175ºF in the thigh. Keep roasting at a low temperature until it is getting close to these numbers, around 155ºF. Remove the pan from the oven and turn up the heat to 475ºF. Once preheated, roast the turkey until the skin has browned and it is 160ºF in the breast and 170-175ºF in the thigh, about 15-30 minutes.
- Let the turkey rest for 20-30 minutes.
- Carve and serve!
We tested this with a 14-pound turkey, and it took 10-1/2 hours for it to come to 155ºF, and another 15 minutes for the skin to brown and the temperature to read 160ºF. Do note that smaller birds may dry out a bit if cooked for this long, and don’t take very long to roast to at a conventional temperature, eliminating the problem this overnight method solves. This technique might make sense, however, if you’re roasting a turkey in the neighborhood of 16-20 pounds. For the most freshly-cooked bird possible, plan to tuck in to your Thanksgiving meal around lunchtime.