Cooking a turkey in a convection oven is will give you a perfectly cooked Thanksgiving Turkey. It really is just as easy as using a standard oven to create the perfect turkey for your holiday meal.
I am absolutely in love with our Dacor Classic Epicure Double Wall Ovens. They make any turkey I cook come out perfectly seared on the outside and juicy on the inside every time. Choose the size of your turkey based on how large your oven is so there are no issues closing the oven door. The size of the turkey is important and should be the first thing you consider.
A whole turkey can take a long time to reach the correct internal temperature, and you will want to make sure you have the correct deep roasting pan. This holiday season make sure that you have the right turkey, baking pan, and the best fresh herbs you can find.
Cooking a turkey in a convection oven is one of the best ways to get perfectly moist, tender meat with deliciously crispy skin. A convection oven uses a fan to circulate hot air around the food, allowing for faster and more even cooking When it comes to a whole turkey, using a convection setting can help reduce cooking time while ensuring your bird comes out juicy and golden brown.
Here is a step-by-step guide to convection cooking your turkey to perfection
Ingredients
- 12-15 lb whole turkey, thawed if frozen
- Olive oil or melted butter
- Salt and pepper
- Fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, sage (optional)
- Onion, apples, lemon (optional for cavity)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Turkey
Remove neck and giblets from cavity and reserve for gravy or discard. Rinse turkey under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
2. Season the Turkey
Rub skin all over with olive oil or melted butter. Generously season the cavity and outside of turkey with salt and pepper. You can also place fresh herbs, onion, apples, lemon in the cavity for extra flavor.
3. Preheat Convection Oven
Preheat your convection oven to 325°F Adjust oven rack to lowest position so turkey will fit.
4. Roast the Turkey
Place turkey breast side up on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Roast for approximately 2-2.5 hours, until a meat thermometer inserted in thickest part of thigh reads 165°F.
5. Baste and Tent Turkey
After about 1 hour, baste turkey with pan juices. If skin is browning too quickly, tent foil loosely over turkey.
6. Let Turkey Rest
Once turkey reaches 165°F, remove from oven and let rest 30 minutes before carving. This allows juices to redistribute through meat.
7. Carve and Serve
Carve turkey and serve immediately with your favorite side dishes. Enjoy!
Turkey Convection Oven Cooking Times
- 12-15 lb turkey: 2 to 2 1/2 hours
- 16-18 lb turkey: 2 1/2 to 3 hours
- 18-20 lb turkey: 3 to 3 1/2 hours
Cooking times may vary based on oven and size of bird. Use a meat thermometer to ensure turkey reaches safe internal temp.
Convection Oven Turkey Tips
- Always thaw turkey completely before cooking.
- Use a meat thermometer to monitor doneness.
- Let turkey rest before carving for juicier meat.
- Baste with pan juices halfway through roasting.
- Tent with foil if skin browns too fast.
- Stuffing turkey adds roasting time.
- Lower oven temp helps prevent overbrowning.
- Convection cooking seals in moisture.
Benefits of Convection Oven Turkey
There are several advantages to cooking your turkey in a convection oven:
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Shorter cooking time – The circulating hot air cooks the turkey faster, reducing roasting time by about 30%.
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Even cooking – The fan spreads heat evenly around turkey, preventing hot and cold spots.
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Crispy skin – The constant air movement dries out the skin leading to a super crispy exterior.
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Moist meat – Quick cooking time seals in juices keeping meat tender and moist.
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Self bastes – No basting needed as turkey cooks in its own juices.
Overall, a convection oven results in a perfectly cooked turkey with bronzed skin, moist breast meat and succulent dark meat in less time compared to a standard oven. It’s an easy, fuss-free way to get holiday-worthy results. Give it a try this year for your best turkey yet!
Our entire Thanksgiving Menu:
If you are in charge of planning Thanksgiving dinner, here are our favorite go-to Thanksgiving recipes:
If you have leftover turkey, be sure to try our Turkey Cranberry Wraps and Turkey Corn Chowder!
What is the best way to thaw a frozen turkey?
Thaw your turkey in the refrigerator. Frozen turkeys prevent bacteria from growing, but does not kill them. Never defrost a turkey by placing it on the counter or in a warm place.
It can cause foodborne illness. A thawed turkey should be out of the Temperature Danger Zone- 40° -140° as a good rule of thumb. This general rule is an easy way to keep your turkey thawing safely.
How to Roast a Turkey in a Conventional or Convection Oven
FAQ
How long does it take to cook a turkey in a convection oven?
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Turkey
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Weight
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Timing
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Unstuffed Turkey
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14 to 18 pounds
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2-1/2 to 3-1/4 hours
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18 to 22 pounds
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3-1/4 to 3-1/2 hours
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Stuffed Turkey
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14 to 18 pounds
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3 to 3-1/4 hours
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18 to 22 pounds
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3-1/4 to 3-3/4 hours
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Should turkey be 325 or 350 in a convection oven?
What is the difference between convection bake and convection roast?
What is the difference between roasting and baking a turkey?
Does a convection oven cook a Turkey?
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements. Cooking in a convection oven makes the turkey cook faster. A regular oven has a single heating source while it is faster in a convection oven because you use the entire oven space due to hot air.
Does a convection oven Thaw a Turkey?
Convection oven roast turkey is the best way to get crispy, golden skin with the juiciest, most tender meat. It’s a fool-proof method for how to cook the perfect turkey every time, with no basting required. And, it takes less time than a conventional oven. It’s easy to prepare and is sure to impress! How long does it take to thaw a turkey?
What does a convection oven roasted turkey taste like?
Convection oven roasted turkey comes out crispy and golden brown with incredibly tender and juicy meat. You can cook multiple dishes in the convection oven at the same time. This perfectly cooked convection oven turkey comes out with slightly crispy skin as well as moist and tender meat.
How do you cook a slow roast turkey in a convection oven?
Cooking Tips: Check the National Turkey Federation for great information. Always use a meat thermometer when cooking in convection oven. Ties: No need to tie up your thigh of the bird because the hot air will cook the turkey evenly with no hot spots. Really there is no need to baste this slow roast turkey because the hot air locks in the juices.