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!
Cooking the perfect turkey for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner can be a stressful task. Many home cooks struggle with fitting a large bird in the oven while also cooking side dishes And it’s easy to end up with an overcooked and dry turkey if you aren’t careful
That’s why more and more people are turning to electric roaster ovens to cook their holiday turkeys But does using an electric roaster really speed up turkey cooking times?
How Electric Roasters Work
Electric roaster ovens are countertop appliances that are oval or oblong in shape They have a heating element in the bottom and sometimes the sides as well. The lid seals tightly to lock in moisture and heat
This closed environment allows the turkey to cook in its own juices, which self-baste the meat as they hit the lid and drip back down. So you don’t have to keep opening the oven and basting the turkey manually.
Electric roasters reach and maintain set temperatures quickly. And since they don’t vent moisture like a regular oven, meats stay tender and juicy.
Faster Cooking Times
Cooking a turkey in an electric roaster does significantly reduce cooking times compared to using a traditional oven. Here are some estimates for whole turkey cooking times:
- 10-18 lb turkey: 2 hours in an electric roaster vs. 3 hours in a regular oven
- 18-22 lb turkey: 2.5 hours in an electric roaster vs. 3.5 hours in a regular oven
- 22-24 lb turkey: 3 hours in an electric roaster vs. 4 hours in a regular oven
- 24-26 lb turkey: 3.5 hours in an electric roaster vs. 4.5 hours in a regular oven
Exact cooking times will vary based on factors like the starting temperature of the turkey, how often the lid is opened, and how accurate your roaster’s temperature runs.
But you can generally expect your turkey to cook in 25-50% less time in an electric roaster compared to a standard oven.
Other Benefits of Electric Roasters
Using an electric roaster for your holiday turkey provides benefits beyond just faster cooking:
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Frees up oven space: You can use your regular oven for cooking side dishes, rolls, or desserts.
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Moist, tender meat: The self-basting environment prevents the turkey from drying out.
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Even cooking: Turkey browns evenly thanks to heat circulating around the whole bird.
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Ease of use: Simply season the turkey, set the temperature, and let it cook without having to open the oven.
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Portability: Electric roasters are lightweight enough to transport the cooked turkey to another location.
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Compact storage: When not in use for holidays, electric roasters tuck away neatly in a cabinet.
Tips for Cooking Turkey in an Electric Roaster
Follow these tips for roasted turkey success in your electric roaster oven:
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Choose a roaster oven that can accommodate a turkey up to 25 lbs. Look for one with a removable pan and rack for easy cleanup.
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Rub the turkey skin liberally with butter or oil before cooking for crispy browned skin.
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Use a meat thermometer to monitor doneness, since cook times are reduced. Cook to 165°F in the breast and 175°F in the thigh.
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Resist lifting the lid, which causes the temperature to drop and extend cooking time.
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Let the cooked turkey rest for 20-30 minutes before carving to allow juices to be reabsorbed.
The Bottom Line
An electric roaster oven can reduce your turkey cooking time by up to 50% compared to using a conventional oven. And with faster cook times, self-basting, and better moisture retention, an electric roaster leads to a tender, juicy turkey with less effort. Consider making the switch this holiday season for your best turkey yet!
⭐Tips for Making the Best Turkey
Be sure to check out the step by step instructions
- Know the size of your electric roaster before you buy a turkey, or you might end up with one that doesn’t fit.
- Keep the lid on the roaster as much as possible. If you have a wireless thermometer, you only need to open the cover once it is done.
- Every time I’ve had a disappointing holiday dinner, it was due to the turkey not being completely thawed. So thaw the turkey completely and safely!
- Don’t skip the resting time. The bird will be juicier and easier to carve after resting.
How to Cook Turkey in an Electric Roaster Oven
- Optional – Brine: Brine the bird for 12-24 hours before roasting. Get turkey brining instructions here.
- Preheat: Preheat the roaster to 450 degrees F.
- Prepare Turkey for Roasting: Take the turkey out of its wrapping and rinse it. Pat it dry with paper towels and remove the neck and giblets from the body cavity.
- Season: Put the bird on the roaster rack. Use a pastry brush to brush the melted butter over the skin. Sprinkle the poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper evenly on the outside.
- Optional – Add Fruit: Add some apple slices or oranges to the body cavity. I don’t recommend adding stuffing to the body cavity, but a little fruit in the cavity can infuse it with extra flavor.
- Cook: Roast it at 450 degrees F for 30 minutes.
- Reduce Heat: Without lifting the lid, reduce the heat to 350 degrees F. Roast it for the remainder of the cooking time. Allow about 15-20 minutes per pound for cooking time. See the timing section for more information.
- Check Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to test the meat’s internal temperature. It is safe to serve at 165 degrees F.
- Rest: Lift the turkey out of the roaster. Cover the bird with foil and let it rest for 20 minutes before carving.
How to Cook a Turkey in an electric roaster, EASY and QUICK! I Episode 6
FAQ
Is it better to put turkey in the oven or electric roaster?
Do you put water in an electric roaster when cooking a turkey?
Does a turkey cook faster in a roasting pan?