Make an electric roaster oven turkey this holiday season to get a tasty turkey without taking up valuable oven space. The turkey cooks on its own, and you can enjoy a juicy, perfect roast turkey with golden brown skin.
It’s hard for home cooks to fit everything in the oven for Thanksgiving. Pies, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, scalloped potatoes, rolls, and other foods are all competing for space.
And a turkey will take up most of the space. Because I’ve never had a house with two ovens, I use an electric roaster oven to cook the turkey. A separate roaster oven cooks the turkey and contains all the juices and mess.
You don’t have to get up at 7 am to start dinner because an electric turkey roaster cooks the bird even faster than a regular oven.
Cooking the centerpiece turkey for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner is an important task After thawing and preparing the bird, many home cooks rely on their standard ovens to roast it However, using an electric roaster can significantly reduce the cooking time compared to a regular oven. Here’s an in-depth look at why a turkey cooks faster in an electric roaster and how to use one for perfectly cooked holiday birds.
Why an Electric Roaster Cooks Turkey Faster
Electric roasters are designed to cook foods faster than conventional ovens, Here are some of the key reasons why
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Smaller cooking chamber – Electric roasters have a smaller cooking area than full-size ovens. This puts the heating elements in closer proximity to the food, helping it cook faster. The turkey is surrounded by hot air rather than dissipating heat in a large oven cavity.
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Fan circulation – Most electric roasters have a built-in fan that circulates hot air around the food. This promotes even cooking and transports heat energy quickly to the turkey surfaces. The constant airflow accelerates cooking.
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Covered cooking – Electric roasters are used with the lid closed during cooking. This traps heat and steam which transfers energy to the turkey, speeding up cook times. Covering the bird in an oven is less practical.
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Higher heat – Electric roasters can reach temperatures between 200°F and 450°F. Ovens often max out around 500°F. The increased heat facilitates faster cooking. Roasters also rapidly recover any lost heat each time the lid is opened.
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Less temperature fluctuation – Opening and closing an oven door causes significant heat loss and temperature drops. Roasters hold heat well when closed and recover it quickly. This prevents temperature fluctuations that would slow cooking.
How Long to Cook a Turkey in an Electric Roaster
Cooking time in an electric roaster depends on the size of the bird:
- 12 to 15 pound turkey: Cook 1 1/2 to 2 hours
- 16 to 20 pound turkey: Cook 2 1/2 to 3 hours
- 20 to 24 pound turkey: Cook 3 to 3 1/2 hours
As a general rule of thumb, plan for approximately 15-18 minutes per pound if cooking an unstuffed turkey in an electric roaster. So a 12 pound bird would take around 3 hours.
Always rely on a meat thermometer to determine doneness rather than just going by time. Cook until the thigh reaches 175°F and breast reaches 165°F. Let the turkey rest at least 15 minutes before carving.
If stuffed, add 15-30 minutes more cooking time depending on the amount of stuffing. Monitor the temperature carefully and keep the stuffing moist.
For optimum results, consult the user manual for your specific electric roaster model. Manufacturers provide size-specific guidelines and tips for using their appliances.
Tips for Using an Electric Roaster
Follow these tips when cooking turkey in an electric roaster:
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Choose a roaster that can accommodate the turkey with some room around it for air circulation. Allow about 4 extra pounds capacity beyond the weight of the bird.
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Use a meat thermometer with a probe left in during cooking for easiest monitoring without opening the lid.
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Preheat the roaster fully before adding the turkey. Brush the bird with browned butter or oil for better browning.
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Use a roasting rack in the cooker to elevate the turkey for air flow. Add 1/2 cup water or broth if desired.
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Resist opening the lid to check on progress. This causes significant heat and time losses. Trust the thermometer.
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Let the turkey rest before carving. The temperature will continue rising about 5°F as juices redistribute.
Benefits of Using an Electric Roaster
Beyond faster cook times, electric roasters provide other advantages for cooking turkey:
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Frees up oven space – With the turkey in the roaster, the oven is available for cooking side dishes, pies, or other items.
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Portability – The roaster can be set up anywhere with access to an outlet, including the dining table for dramatic carving presentation.
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Lower chance of drying out – The moist heating environment of covered electric roasters makes it harder to overcook poultry.
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Better browning – Brushing with browning sauce compensates for the lower browning effects of an electric roaster’s heat.
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Lower mess – Roasters neatly contain any juices, oils or grease. There’s no spillover in the oven.
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Energy efficiency – Smaller electric roasters use less energy than powering up a full-size oven.
For cooks looking to get their holiday birds cooked more quickly, electric roasters are an attractive option worth considering. Follow proper guidelines for size, cook times, thermometer temperatures and resting. With some practice, you’ll be turning out delicious, faster cooked turkeys perfect for feeding an impatient hungry holiday crowd!
⭐Tips for Making the Best Turkey
Be sure to check out the step by step instructions
- Before you buy a turkey, make sure you know what size electric roaster you have. If you don’t, you might get one that doesn’t fit.
- Keep the lid on the roaster as much as possible. If you have a wireless thermometer, all you have to do is open the cover.
- This is why every bad holiday dinner I’ve had was because the turkey wasn’t fully thawed. So thaw the turkey completely and safely!.
- Don’t skip the resting time. After resting, the bird will be more juicy and easier to cut up.
FAQ About Cooking Turkey in a Roaster Oven
Maybe, but I don’t recommend it because it increases the chance of undercooked food. Having an electric roaster frees up space in the oven. You can bake the stuffing or make slow cooker stuffing in some of that space.
I’ve had a Nesco 18-quart roaster oven for years, which holds up to a 22-pound turkey, and it works great. The Oster 22-quart is also very popular and can hold a bird up to 26 pounds. You can’t go wrong with either.
Start at 450 degrees F. Then after half an hour, reduce the heat to 350 degrees F. This lets the skin turn golden brown quickly at the beginning of the cooking time.
No basting is necessary. The smaller size of the roaster oven keeps the turkey moist and juicy. There is also no need to add water to the bottom.
Does an electric roaster cook a turkey faster?
FAQ
Is it better to put turkey in oven or electric roaster?
Do you put liquid at the bottom of an electric roaster for turkey?
Does an electric roaster cook the same as an oven?
How do you cook a Turkey in an electric roaster?
HOW TO ROAST A TURKEY IN AN ELECTRIC ROASTER Remove the giblets and neck from the turkey cavity and pat it dry. Remove the rack from the roaster oven. Place turkey in the roaster on the rack breast side up. Rub the turkey with the butter and season with salt and pepper. Cover the roaster and cook at 400 degrees for 30 minutes.
Does an electric roaster Cook a Turkey faster?
Not only will an electric roaster cook your turkey faster, it won’t create any more heat in an already warm and stuffy room. When it comes to electric roaster size, it depends on the size of your turkey. Most electric roasters range in size from 16-quart-capacity to 22-quart-capacity.
How long does a roasted turkey take to cook?
Remove the rack from the roaster oven. Place turkey in the roaster on the rack breast side up. Rub the turkey with the butter and season with salt and pepper. Cover the roaster and cook at 400 degrees for 30 minutes. Lower the heat to 325 degrees and cook for 3 ½ – 4 hours. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What is the cooking time for a roasted turkey?
Should you buy an electric Turkey roaster?
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.
Do you have to prep a Turkey differently than a roaster?
You don’t have to prep your turkey any differently than you would to roast it in your oven. Because you’re cooking in a different (much smaller) appliance the only real difference is how long you’ll cook turkey in an electric roaster. Because a roaster is much smaller, it cooks your turkey faster (yay!).
Can you cook a 22 pound turkey in a roaster?
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 do you make herb butter for turkey? Yes, you can just throw a turkey in the roaster and have it come out fork tender, but for the best flavor, rub it down with herbed butter.