I just learned how to make the moistest, most tender oven-roasted turkey EVER, and I’m never cooking a turkey the same way again. Thanks to this method, I no longer have to argue with my mom about when the turkey is done. The white meat will NEVER get dry with this method.
Cooking a moist, tender turkey with meat that falls off the bone easily takes some technique. Undercooking leads to tough, rubbery meat while overcooking dries it out completely. The good news is with the right prep and cooking method, you can get perfect fall-off-the-bone turkey every time.
As someone who loves hosting Thanksgiving dinner I’ve experimented with all kinds of ways to get super tender turkey. Over the years I’ve finally cracked the code for getting fork-tender meat on my holiday bird without fail.
In this guide I’ll share my best tips and step-by-step method for slow roasting a turkey overnight so the meat literally falls off the bone. It’s hands down the easiest, most foolproof way to get perfect turkey texture for Thanksgiving or any time you want juicy tender meat.
Why Slow Cook Turkey Overnight
Cooking the turkey low and slow overnight gives you incredibly moist tender meat that falls off the bone. Here’s why it works so well
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Long cook time – The turkey cooks for 8-10 hours allowing the collagen to fully break down.
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Low temperature – The low 250°F oven prevents the turkey from drying out.
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Self bastes – Covered in the oven, the turkey essentially braises in its own juices.
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Infuses flavors – Onions and citrus flavor the meat from the inside out.
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Frees up oven – You can use the oven for sides once the turkey comes out.
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Smells amazing – The house fills with incredible aroma while you sleep!
Step-by-Step Method for Overnight Turkey
Follow these simple steps for foolproof slow cooked turkey with the most tender, fall-apart texture:
Prep the Turkey
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Thaw frozen turkey 2-3 days in fridge (24 hrs per 4-5 lbs).
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Remove giblets and neck from cavities. Reserve for gravy.
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Pat turkey dry inside and out with paper towels.
Flavor the Turkey
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Slice an onion and orange into wedges.
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Stuff cavities with onion, orange, sage, thyme, salt, and pepper.
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Rub skin with butter or oil. Season all over with salt and pepper.
Slow Cook Overnight
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Place turkey in roasting pan, breast side up. Add 1 cup broth or wine to pan.
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Tent foil tightly over entire turkey.
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Cook at 250°F for 8-10 hours, until meat reaches 165°F.
Finish and Serve
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Remove foil and increase oven to 400°F. Bake 30 mins to crisp skin.
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Let rest 30 minutes before carving.
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Serve with gravy made from the pan drippings.
Tips for Perfect Overnight Turkey
Follow these tips for the best fall-off-the-bone texture every time:
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Truss legs – This helps cook evenly. Use kitchen twine.
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** Add liquid** – The broth or wine helps keep turkey moist.
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Use a thermometer – Cook until breast reaches 165°F for food safety.
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Tent tightly – Foil tent traps steam for self-basting.
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Increase oven temp – Finish at 400°F to crisp up the skin.
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Let rest before carving – This allows juices to absorb back into meat.
Make Amazing Turkey Gravy
Rich homemade gravy takes turkey to the next level. Here’s how to make the best gravy:
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Pour drippings into fat separator. Discard fat.
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Make a roux: whisk flour into drippings over medium heat.
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Slowly whisk in chicken broth until desired thickness is reached.
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Add sage, thyme, salt, and pepper. Simmer 10 minutes.
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If needed, whisk in more broth for thinner gravy.
FAQs About Overnight Fall-Off-the-Bone Turkey
What temperature do you cook turkey overnight?
Cook at 250°F overnight, or approximately 8-10 hours, until it reaches 165°F internally.
How long does it take to cook a turkey at 250 degrees?
Plan for 8-10 hours for a 12-15 lb turkey. Cook time depends on size. Use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness.
What liquid do you put in the bottom of the pan?
Chicken or turkey broth and white wine work well. About 1 cup of liquid in the bottom prevents drying out.
Should you tent turkey with foil when cooking overnight?
Yes, tightly tenting foil over the entire turkey helps it cook evenly and self baste as it releases juices.
Is it safe to cook turkey overnight at low temperature?
Yes, as long as the turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165°F it is safe. Cooking low and slow overnight makes it incredibly moist.
Perfectly Tender and Juicy Overnight Turkey
More Side Dishes to Serve with Oven Roast Turkey
Here are a few tried, tested and true side dishes to serve with your roast turkey!
- Oven Baked Turkey Stuffing—As you can see, this roast turkey doesn’t come with stuffing, so you’ll need to make dressing or stuffing to go with it. This is a great recipe for it!.
- Mom’s Homemade Stove Top Stuffing is my FAVORITE recipe for turkey stuffing ever!
- I don’t just make these for holiday meals; I make them every month.
- Sage and garlic mashed potatoes: This year, try smashed potatoes instead of mashed potatoes.
Go follow Alecia on social media and thank her for the best turkey recipe ever!
The Juiciest, Most Tender Oven Roasted Turkey In the History of Roast Turkeys
This is one of my favorite recipes, right up there with my deconstructed turkey recipe and my roast turkey breast recipe.
It fell off the bones when I went to carve it. That makes it utterly fantastic for eating. Not that good when I need to take photos.
The simple secret here is Turkey sized oven roasting bags. Let’s be clear here it’s NOT brown paper bags! Brown paper bags are actually toxic! Using a tried and tested safe food grade oven bag is better overall for roasting a turkey in a bag. It makes sense, companies put glue and chemicals into paper bags that are not meant for high heat OR for food to cook in and have no regulations with their production because of it. Oven bags are meant for food and heat. Using one twice a year to make the best turkey ever is not a big deal, but if you think it is, then this isn’t the turkey recipe for you. The oven bag is key! Now, let’s move on to the step-by-step directions to get this bird in the oven for your big day!