Learn how to cook a turkey in a roaster oven and make the most flavorful, delicious and moist turkey. Free up your oven space by cooking the turkey in an electric roaster.
Your oven is full enough on Thanksgiving and other holidays lets free up some space by cooking the turkey in a roaster oven. Let me show you how to cook a turkey in a roaster. My family has been roasting turkeys this way for decades! This is hands down the best way to roast a turkey for Thanksgiving dinner.
My parents are part of a camping club and every year they would always have a big turkey dinner at the end of the season. Now campers don’t have the biggest ovens (if they have an oven at all) so they would cook the turkey in an electric roaster oven. The turkey was so moist, flavorful and delicious that my parents started cooking turkey in a roaster at at home for thanksgiving. That had to have started over twenty years ago.
Looking for other ways to cook a turkey? Did you know you can air fry a turkey. It’s another one of our favorite ways to cook a turkey. The crispy skin is out of this world. Don’t forget the side dishes. Try this broccoli casserole with Ritz crackers or apple sausage stuffing.
This Hamilton Beach roaster oven is very similar to the one we’ve been using for years. The newer version is just slightly larger to hold up to a 28 lb turkey. If you are looking for more of a budget option or smaller this 18 Qt roaster oven is a great choice.
When it comes to Thanksgiving turkey a Hamilton Beach roaster oven is a lifesaver for any home cook. With your regular oven occupied with sides and desserts, the countertop roaster oven easily roasts a moist tender turkey to perfection. Follow this simple guide for foolproof results.
Benefits of Using a Roaster Oven for Turkey
Roasting the holiday bird in a Hamilton Beach roaster oven has many advantages
- Frees up the regular oven for other dishes
- Large capacity fits up to a 28 lb turkey
- Self-basting lid keeps meat super juicy
- Handy rack simplifies getting the heavy turkey in and out
- Cooks the turkey up to 40% faster than a conventional oven
- Keeps the turkey piping hot after cooking until you’re ready to carve
With so many benefits, it’s easy to see why the roaster oven is the perfect solution for cooking turkey.
Choosing the Right Turkey
When selecting a turkey to roast in your Hamilton Beach roaster oven, aim for a 14-15 lb fresh or completely thawed turkey. Frozen turkeys do not cook evenly. Make sure to thaw frozen birds for at least 2 days in the fridge before cooking.
Also, refrain from Stuffing the turkey, which can lead to bacteria growth. Cook stuffing separately for food safety.
Preparing the Roaster Oven and Turkey
Before cooking the turkey, prep the roaster oven and the bird:
- Remove giblets and neck from the turkey cavities. Reserve for gravy.
- Rinse turkey inside and out with cold water. Pat dry with paper towels.
- Rub the turkey skin all over with melted butter or vegetable oil. This helps the skin brown and makes it super crispy.
- Generously season the outside and underside of skin with salt, pepper, and any preferred dried herbs/spices.
- Remove rack from roaster oven and preheat to 325°F.
Cooking Times for Roaster Oven Turkey
The Hamilton Beach roaster oven significantly reduces turkey cooking times. A 14-15 lb turkey will take only 1 1⁄2 – 2 hours to fully roast.
For comparison, the same size bird takes 3-4 hours in a traditional oven. The tight-fitting lid locks in heat and moisture for fast, even cooking.
Monitoring Doneness
Always rely on a meat thermometer, not cooking times, to gauge doneness. Insert the probe in the thickest part of the breast without touching bone.
Cook until it registers 165°F for safe consumption. The temperature will rise 5-10 degrees more as the turkey rests.
Resting, Carving and Serving
Once the turkey reaches the target temp, remove it from the roaster oven and tent loosely with foil. Let rest for 30 minutes so the juices redistribute. The meat will stay hot in the closed roaster.
To carve, start by slicing the breast meat, cutting thin slices across the grain. Then remove leg portions and continue carving.
Serve the roasted turkey on a decorative platter alongside traditional Thanksgiving favorites. Enjoy this juicy, homecooked meal with family and friends.
Turkey Roasting Tips and Tricks
Follow these extra tips from the Hamilton Beach test kitchen for a perfect roaster oven turkey:
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Rub a seasoning blend under the skin before roasting to add flavor throughout.
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Add onion, celery and herbs inside the cavity while roasting for extra moisture and flavor.
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Use a meat thermometer for accuracy. Don’t rely on the pop-up timer alone.
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Tent turkey with foil while it rests to retain heat and moisture.
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Let the bird rest at least 20-30 minutes before slicing to allow juices to absorb back into the meat.
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Add broth or water to drippings for the most delicious gravy and stuffing.
Common Roaster Oven Turkey Questions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about cooking turkey in a roaster oven:
How Long Does it Take to Cook a Turkey in a Roaster Oven?
Figure around 90 minutes per pound, so a 14 lb turkey will take 2 1⁄2 – 3 hours at 325°F. Always check internal temperature.
What Size Turkey Fits in a Roaster Oven?
Hamilton Beach makes large capacity roaster ovens that accommodate 20-28 lb birds. Measure your oven size before purchasing your turkey.
Should You Stuff a Turkey in a Roaster Oven?
No, refrain from stuffing. The stuffing won’t cook properly and can cause bacteria growth. Cook it separately.
What Temperature Should You Cook Turkey in a Roaster Oven?
Cook at 325°F, checking a meat thermometer often until it reaches 165°F in the deepest part of the breast.
How Do You Get a Crispy Turkey Skin in a Roaster Oven?
Rub the skin with oil or butter before cooking. Baste periodically and increase heat at the end if needed.
Be sure to follow proper thawing, preparation and food safety guidelines for the best, juiciest, safest results. With the Hamilton Beach roaster oven, you’ll have a delicious home-cooked Thanksgiving turkey that frees up the oven for sides and desserts.
How to Prep a Turkey Before Roasting
Before roasting they turkey make sure to remove the bag of giblets and neck from the cavity of the turkey. Some people will then wash the turkey (more like rinse). This can be controversial and we have debated this a lot in our family. Whether you wash it or not make sure to pat it dry with a paper towel.
Carefully and gently loosen the skin away from the turkey breast and legs using your hand. Make sure not to rip the skin this is important for keeping the moisture in. You are creating pockets so you can spread half the herb butter rub all over your turkey. I promise you this is the most difficult part of the recipe but take your time with it. With the other half of the butter rub it on the outside of the turkey. Season the outside and the turkey cavity with salt and pepper. Note: You can add olive oil to the outside of the turkey to help crisp the skin.
How long does it take a turkey to thaw?
How long to cook a turkey depends on the size of the bird. The rule of thumb is 4-5 pounds per day. Meaning a 15 pound turkey will thaw in 3 days where a 20 pound turkey will take 4 days to thaw in the fridge. The USDA recommends thawing your turkey in the refrigerator.
Before roasting your turkey take it out about an hour before so it’s at room temperature before roasting.
How I Season & Cook Turkey in an electric roaster #thanksgiving #christmas
FAQ
How long do you cook a turkey in a Hamilton Beach roaster oven?
Is it better to cook turkey in a roaster oven or regular oven?
Do you put water in bottom of roaster when cooking a turkey?
Do I cook turkey with lid on or off if in a roaster?