Should You Bake or Roast a Turkey? A Guide to Perfectly Cooking Your Holiday Bird

The centerpiece of many holiday meals is a golden brown turkey, roasted to perfection. But should you bake or roast the turkey? With so many different oven options, it can get confusing. Here’s a guide to help you decide whether to bake or roast, and how to do it right.

What’s the Difference Between Baking and Roasting a Turkey?

The terms baking and roasting are sometimes used interchangeably when it comes to cooking meat or poultry in the oven. However there are some differences

• Baking generally uses gentler, ambient heat from the oven heating element. The oven temperature is usually lower, between 300-375°F.

• Roasting uses hotter drier heat that circulates around the food. This is done at a higher oven temp, between 350-425°F.

• Roasting browns and crisps the skin better. Baking cooks the meat more gently and evenly.

• For turkey, roasting is usually recommended. The hotter heat crisps the skin nicely. But you can get delicious results baking a turkey too.

Should You Bake or Roast a Turkey in a Conventional Oven?

A standard oven with one heat source can be used to both bake and roast a turkey. Here are some tips:

• Preheat the oven to 325°F for roasting or 300°F for baking.

• Use a roasting pan with a rack to lift the turkey up. This allows air circulation for even cooking.

• Roast the turkey breast side up on the rack. Tuck the wings under to hold them in place.

• Baste with pan juices every 30 minutes to keep the turkey moist if roasting. Basting is less necessary if baking.

• Roast until the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165°F on a meat thermometer.

• Let the roasted or baked turkey rest 15 minutes before carving to allow juices to set.

Both roasting and baking will give you tasty turkey in a conventional oven. Roasting crisps the skin better. Baking cooks the meat a little more gently.

Baking or Roasting Turkey in a Convection Oven

A convection oven uses a fan to circulate hot air around the food. This allows for faster, crispier roasting. Here are convection oven tips:

• Preheat the oven to 325°F. The fan-forced heat makes it cook faster.

• Reduce cooking times by about 25% compared to a conventional oven.

• Roast the turkey on a rack in a pan breast-side up, with wings tucked.

• No basting is needed, as the circulating air keeps the turkey moist.

• Cook until the thigh is 165°F and the juices run clear.

The fan and lower temp creates a perfect environment for roasting juicy, golden turkey. You can bake in a convection oven too, but roasting really shines.

How Long to Roast vs. Bake a Turkey

Cook times vary based on the size of your turkey. Here are some general guidelines:

Turkey Weight	Roast Time	Bake Time
8-12 lbs	2 1/2 – 3 hrs	3 – 3 1/2 hrs
12-16 lbs	3 – 3 1/2 hrs	3 1/2 – 4 hrs
16-20 lbs	3 1/2 – 4 hrs	4 – 4 1/2 hrs
20-24 lbs	4 – 4 1/2 hrs	4 1/2 – 5 hrs

Note: For convection ovens, reduce roast and bake times by 25%.
Always use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness, not just cook times.

Roasting Tips for Perfectly Cooked Turkey

Follow these tips for roasting turkey with crispy skin and juicy meat:

• Thaw the turkey completely before roasting. This ensures even cooking.

• Pat the turkey dry with paper towels before roasting. Dry skin crisps best.

• Coat with oil or butter. Rub the skin with oil or butter before roasting for golden crispiness.

• Use an oven-safe thermometer to monitor the thigh temp. Remove at 165°F.

• Tent loosely with foil near the end if the skin is getting too brown.

• Let the roasted turkey rest for 15-20 minutes before carving.

Baking Tips for Moist, Tender Turkey

Though roasting is ideal, you can still bake a delicious turkey. Use these tips:

• Thaw completely before baking. This prevents uneven cooking.

• Brush with oil or butter to keep the skin moist and browned.

• Use a lower oven temp like 300°F to bake more gently.

• Tent with foil if the skin browns too quickly while baking.

• Check for doneness at the thigh with a thermometer, not just by time.

• Allow the baked turkey to rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing to retain juices.

FAQs About Roasting vs. Baking Turkey

Should you brine or inject a turkey before roasting?

• Brining or injecting adds flavor and moisture. But it’s optional if you roast properly.

Do you roast or bake an unstuffed turkey?

• Roast works best for unstuffed turkeys, as the high heat crisps the skin nicely.

What oven temp for stuffed vs unstuffed?

• Roast unstuffed turkey at 325°F. For stuffed, roast at 300-325°F to ensure the interior cooks safely.

Should I tent while roasting or baking?

• Tent the turkey loosely with foil around 2/3 through roasting or baking if the skin is browning too quickly.

What’s the best oven roasting pan?

• Use a sturdy, heavy roasting pan with a rack to allow air circulation for crisp skin.

Roast Up the Perfect Turkey for Your Holiday Feast

While roasting and baking both work, roasting generally delivers the crispiest skin and most delicious results. Prepare the turkey properly and monitor the temperature carefully for your best holiday bird yet. With these handy tips, you’ll serve the perfect roast turkey your guests will rave about.