How Many Minutes Per Pound Do You Cook a Turkey in a Roaster?

A foolproof guide on cooking turkey in an electric roaster. Discover the optimal temperature, cooking time, and preparation steps for a perfectly roasted turkey. Free up your oven for delicious sides this Thanksgiving with our electric turkey roaster tips.

Every holiday meal, kitchens bustle with pies baking, sides simmering, and turkeys roasting. But with the oven juggling multiple dishes, the age-old question arises: how can one efficiently cook a turkey without monopolizing the oven space?

An electric turkey roaster is your answer. Not only does it make the roasting process more streamlined, but cooking a turkey in a roaster oven also ensures that it’s evenly cooked, juicy, and golden brown. It’s a game-changer for those who want to multitask in the kitchen during Thanksgiving and other holidays.

For those wondering how to cook a turkey in a roaster, or are curious about how long to cook a turkey in a roaster oven, you’ve come to the right place. This comprehensive guide will walk you through each step.

Cooking the perfect turkey can seem like a daunting task but having the right information makes all the difference. When using a roaster oven the most important factor is cook time per pound. Follow this guide for foolproof turkey success!

Why Cook Time Per Pound Matters

The size of your turkey is the biggest determinant of total cook time. Smaller birds cook faster than larger ones, so you need to calculate based on pounds. The general rule of thumb is to allow 15 minutes per pound for a stuffed turkey and 13 minutes per pound for an unstuffed turkey.

For example a 10-pound unstuffed turkey would take about 130 minutes (2 hours and 10 minutes) at 325°F in a roaster oven. Meanwhile, a stuffed 18-pound turkey would require around 270 minutes (4 hours and 30 minutes).

Paying attention to cook time per pound helps prevent both undercooked and overcooked meat. Follow the time guidelines, and use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness.

Setting Expectations Based on Size

In addition to adjusting cook time, you also need to set realistic expectations for small vs large birds. Turkeys smaller than 12 pounds often have uneven cooking and minimal leftovers. Larger turkeys over 18 pounds can also have uneven cooking, along with long cook times.

The ideal turkey size for a roaster oven is 12-15 pounds. This provides enough meat for a crowd with ample leftovers, while still cooking evenly from breast to thigh.

For gatherings over 15 people, cooking two smaller turkeys may work better than one huge bird. You can cook them simultaneously in separate roaster ovens and still have oven space for sides.

Key Tips for Roaster Oven Success

Follow these tips when calculating minutes per pound for your turkey:

Don’t stuff the turkey too full. Overstuffing lengthens the cook time.
Use a meat thermometer to check doneness, not just cook time. Target 165°F in the breast and 180°F in the thighs.
Watch the bird closely near the end of the estimated cook time. It may finish early.
Let the turkey rest at least 15-20 minutes before carving for juicy meat.
Resist opening the roaster oven to baste or check. This increases cook time.
Cook stuffed birds 15 minutes per pound, versus 13 minutes per pound for unstuffed.

Handy Cook Time Charts

For easy reference, here are cook time estimates based on turkey size and whether or not it’s stuffed.

Unstuffed Turkey

Turkey Weight	Cook Time at 325°F
8 – 12 pounds	2 hours 45 minutes – 3 hours
12 – 14 pounds	3 hours – 3 hours 45 minutes
14 – 18 pounds	3 hours 45 minutes – 4 hours 15 minutes
18 – 20 pounds	4 hours 15 minutes – 4 hours 30 minutes
20-24 pounds	4 hours 30 minutes – 5 hours

Stuffed Turkey

Turkey Weight	Cook Time at 325°F
8 – 12 pounds	3 hours – 3 hours 30 minutes
12 – 14 pounds	3 hours 30 minutes – 4 hours
14 – 18 pounds	4 hours – 4 hours 15 minutes
18 – 20 pounds	4 hours 15 minutes – 4 hours 45 minutes
20-24 pounds	4 hours 45 minutes – 5 hours 15 minutes

Enjoy the Perfectly Cooked Bird

Armed with the right cook time per pound, you can look forward to a tender, juicy turkey with golden brown skin. No more fretting over whether the meat is fully cooked or dried out. Just relax and enjoy the holiday with your family!

Remember, when using a roaster oven:

Calculate 15 minutes per pound for stuffed turkey
Calculate 13 minutes per pound for unstuffed turkey
Factor in the turkey’s size to prevent uneven cooking
Use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness
Let the turkey rest before slicing into it

Follow these simple guidelines for a foolproof roast turkey. Now you can focus on making delicious sides and desserts to complement the main attraction. Here’s to a memorable and stress-free holiday meal!

how many minutes per pound do you cook a turkey in a roaster

Why cook turkey in a roaster oven?

There are 3 key reasons:

Roaster ovens are designed to circulate heat efficiently, ensuring your turkey cooks evenly. The roaster oven we have has a self-basting lid, ensuring that the white turkey breast meat stays tender and juicy.
According to Oster.com, roaster ovens are more energy efficient. They take less time to cook the oven and there is less space to heat up.
The most important reason, though, is that a turkey roaster frees up the conventional oven. No longer do you have to juggle between the turkey and sides, or worse, wake up at the crack of dawn to ensure everything gets cooked. After all, it is a holiday.

What is the best electric roaster oven?

In order to make a turkey in a roaster oven, you have to have a roaster oven (obviously!). So which electric roaster oven is the best?

I have a 22 quart Oster roaster oven with roaster rack, but they no longer make it. I recommend the Oster 18-quart roaster oven which can hold a 22 pound turkey. It boasts a “self-basting” lid and has a “warm” setting to keep your turkey perfectly warm.

How long do you cook a turkey per pound in the oven?

FAQ

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.

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.

Do you cook a turkey at 325 or 350?

Roasting the bird slowly, at a lower temperature is the best way to achieve tender meat. You should still prep the bird with butter, salt, and pepper, as described above (or dry-brine it). To cook, set your oven to 325°F and roast for 3½ to 4 hours for a 12- to 14-pound bird.