What Oven Rack Position is Best for Roasting Turkey?

THIS IS IT! The best Thanksgiving Turkey recipe. I’ve been roasting turkey for more than 15 years. This post combines the best of my learnings so you can master how to cook a turkey in the oven to be moist, succulent, and the star of your feast. It’s 100% doable and easier than you think!

Roasting turkey is a cherished tradition for many families’ holiday meals. To achieve perfect doneness and moisture throughout the bird proper oven rack positioning is key. But what oven rack should you use when cooking turkey?

Follow these guidelines on ideal rack placement for roasting turkey.

Why Oven Rack Position Matters

Choosing the right oven rack position serves several purposes

Ensures even cooking by centering the turkey in the oven’s heat flow.
Prevents burning or overcooking of areas too close to the broiler
Allows proper air circulation for browning without drying out.

Recommended Rack Position – Lowest Level

For optimal turkey roasting, use the lowest rack position in the oven. This puts the turkey in the direct center of the oven heat.

Benefits of the lowest rack:

Centers the turkey’s bulk in the oven for most even cooking.
Prevents burning of breast and top areas near the broiler.
Allows unimpeded hot air flow around the turkey.
Provides maximum clearance above turkey for safe roasting pans.

Alternate Middle Rack Position

The middle rack can work as a backup but is less ideal. Consider the middle rack if:

You need the lowest rack for other dishes.
Your roasting pan won’t fit on the bottom rack.
You have a large turkey and oven space is very tight.

Disadvantages of the middle rack:

Turkey may cook unevenly being too close to broiler.
Pan drippings can burn on bottom of oven.
Less hot air circulation can lead to damper skin.

Avoid Using the Upper Rack

Don’t use an upper rack position for roasting turkey. Drawbacks include:

Turkey breast and skin will burn under the broiler.
Minimal air flow leads to soggy skin.
Drippings will burn on the oven bottom.
Turkey is no longer centered in the oven’s heat.
The rack may flex under the heavy turkey weight.

Oven Rack Tips for Turkey

Follow these extra pointers for best results:

Arrange oven racks before preheating so you don’t burn yourself.
For stuffed turkeys, use a rack one level higher to prevent overcooking stuffing.
Roast turkey breasts or other cuts on a middle rack since they’re smaller.
Roast turkey at 325-375°F once rack position is set. High heat risks burning.
Place roasting pans in opposite corners if cooking two turkeys.
Rotate pans halfway through roasting if spots seem to be cooking faster.

Key Takeaways on Oven Rack Position

Use the lowest oven rack to center a whole turkey for even roasting.
The middle rack can work but risks uneven cooking.
Never use a high rack; the turkey will burn above the broiler.
Check clearance before preheating and allow space for pans to fit.
Arrange racks first for safety when handling hot oven parts.

With the right oven setup, you can roast the perfect holiday turkey. Positioning the turkey in the center of the oven’s heat on a low rack is ideal for evenly cooked, juicy meat with crispy browned skin. Refer to these oven rack tips as you prepare the star of your holiday meal.

what rack to cook turkey on in oven

Place a Rack in the Pan, then the Turkey on the Rack

Using a rack elevates the turkey off of the surface of the pan so the air can more evenly circulate.

Buy Your Turkey

Whenever possible, I prefer to purchase a fresh turkey from a local butcher for two great reasons.

The quality is usually much better than standard frozen turkey (not to mention your purchase supports local farmers and businesses).
You don’t have to deal with finding space and time to thaw the turkey.

As far as the size of turkey to buy, you can plan on 1 1/2 pounds per person, or 2 pounds per person if you have big eaters and/or want leftovers. See How Much Turkey Per Person for more.

For 6 to 8 people: get a 10-12 pound turkey
For 9 to 12 people: get a 14-18 pound turkey
for 12 to 16 people: get an 18-24 pound turkey

I do not recommend cooking a turkey that is less than 10 pounds; it’s hassle for the reward and you’re paying more for the bones than the meat.

If you’re looking for a smaller amount of turkey, check out my Air Fryer Turkey Breast or Crockpot Turkey Breast.

what rack to cook turkey on in oven

Your First Turkey! Easy Roast Turkey for Beginners for the Holidays!

FAQ

Where should the turkey sit in the oven?

Prepare the turkey for roasting: Pat the inside and outside of the turkey dry with paper towels. Set the turkey in a roasting rack set in a roasting pan to give the skin time to dry out. Arrange an oven rack in the bottom third of the oven, remove any racks above it, and heat the oven to 450°F.

Where should the oven rack be for roasting?

The bottom oven rack is best used for roasting due to the direct exposure to high heat, as well as browning the underside of certain foods, such as pies or frozen pizzas, for crispy textures. Some of the best meals for the lowest oven rack are: Roasting large items or tough meats, such as turkey or roast beef.

Is it better to cook a turkey on a rack or on the bottom of the pan?

Use a roasting rack The roasting rack helps keep the bottom of your turkey from steaming and sticking to the bottom of the pan. No rack? No worries! Just cut onions into 3/4-inch thick slices, arrange in two parallel rows, and place the bird on top.

Is it better to cook a turkey at 325 or 350?

We recommend roasting turkey at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 13 minutes per pound for an unstuffed turkey. We’ve done the math for you — check out the chart below to determine both turkey cook times and estimated servings (with leftovers!).