As Thanksgiving approaches, soon-to-be holiday hosts ponder the big turkey question Should I add water to the roasting pan or not? While it may seem like a good idea, the truth is roasting your turkey au naturel without any added water delivers optimal flavor and texture
Follow these expert tips and techniques for roasting tender, delicious turkeys without the help of steam or added moisture. You’ll get picture-perfect results and mouthwatering flavor every time.
Why Cooking Turkey with Water Can Backfire
Adding water to your roasting pan may seem harmless but it can create several issues
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Uneven browning – Water causes spotty, uneven coloring even when fully cooked.
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Fall-apart meat – The meat slips off the bones rather than staying in tidy portions.
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Diluted flavor – Steaming mutes the roasted turkey flavor.
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Weak gravy – Drippings are less concentrated, resulting in bland gravy
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Splattering mess – Water causes spattering and popping as turkey fat melts into it.
Water promotes steaming rather than high-heat roasting. For the best texture and deepest flavor, it’s best to roast your bird alone.
Elevate Your Bird for Optimal Roasting
To roast your turkey to golden perfection, use a rack to lift it off the pan bottom:
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A flat rack allows air circulation all around for even cooking.
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If no rack, make one by balling up foil.
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Veggies like carrots under the rack can add flavor to drippings.
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Nonstick spray prevents sticking and eliminates steam need.
Lifting the turkey enables its natural juices to collect in the pan for extraordinary gravy later.
Maintaining Moisture Without Water
While water isn’t necessary, you can maintain a juicy bird through other methods:
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Choose a pre-basted turkey for enhanced moisture.
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Tent foil over the breast to prevent overcooking about 2/3 through.
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Baste with pan juices every 30 minutes if desired.
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Cook to 165oF breast temp using a meat thermometer, not by time.
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Let rest 20 minutes before carving so juices redistribute.
With the right techniques, your turkey will turn out succulent even without added moisture.
Boosting Flavor the Dry Roasting Way
To amplify flavor when roasting without water:
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Season generously under the skin and over the exterior.
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Coat the skin in oil or butter for crispy richness.
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Roast in a shallow uncovered pan for concentrated drippings.
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Use fresh or frozen herbs and aromatics inside the cavity.
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Make stock and gravy from the flavorful pan drippings.
Searing turkey in hot, dry heat concentrates taste in a way steaming never could.
Serving Your Mouthwatering Roasted Turkey
Once rested, it’s time to carve your masterpiece turkey and assemble plates:
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Carve the breast meat into thin slices.
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Serve drumettes and wings for handheld snacking.
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Pair with classic Thanksgiving sides like mashed potatoes, stuffing and cranberry sauce.
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Use leftovers in sandwiches, soups, casseroles and salads all week long.
With the right techniques, roasting turkey without water delivers everything you want: tender, juicy meat, crispy skin, and rich concentrated flavor. This Thanksgiving, trust in your bird’s natural moisture and let the roasting do the work for you. Your holiday guests will be gobbling up the delicious results.
Season the Turkey Inside, Outside, and Under the Skin
This is the best way to make turkey taste great, no matter what herbs and spices you choose. Season it all over. Twenty pounds of turkey is a lot of meat. A teaspoon of salt and pepper on top won’t be enough.
Generously rub salt and pepper inside the cavity, along with whatever other herbs and spices youre using.
Spiced butter or olive oil can also be pushed under the breast skin and around the thighs. If you want to separate the skin from the meat, you can use your fingers or a thin wooden spatula. This not only flavors the turkey but also helps keep it moist and juicy.
Lastly, rub the outside skin of the turkey with butter or oil, and season with salt and pepper. This triple application of flavor will mean an end to bland birds.
Watch Now: How to Roast a Perfect Turkey
Cooking your dressing stuffed inside the turkey is a bad idea for several reasons. The shape of the cavity means that the stuffing might not cook evenly. It also doesn’t get all browned and crusty except for the small piece that sticks out of the end. What good is stuffing thats not browned and crusty on top?.
What’s more, by the time the stuffing is cooked through to a safe temperature, some parts of the turkey will already be too crispy and dry. When you bring the turkey to the table, just spoon the dressing that you cooked separately into the cavity for a classic look. Wholl know?.
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Do you put water in a roaster oven when cooking a turkey?
FAQ
Do you add water to turkey when roasting?
Do you put liquid at the bottom of an electric roaster for turkey?
Do you put water under roasting pan in electric roaster?
What is the secret to a moist turkey?
How long does it take to cook a Turkey in a roaster?
Cooking a turkey in a roaster oven is so simple. It’s practically set it and forget it. The cooking time is based on the size of the bird. A 12lb bird should take around 3 – 3 1/2 hours, a 16lb bird should take about 3 – 3 1/2 hours, and a 20lb bird should take around 3 1/2 – 4 hours.
How do you keep a Turkey moist in an electric roaster?
To ensure that your turkey is moist when cooking it in an electric roaster, make sure to baste it every 30 minutes with the juices that accumulate in the bottom of the roaster. Additionally, you can rub the turkey with butter before cooking it to help keep it moist.
Should I add water to the bottom of my roasting pan?
“Often, consumers will inquire about adding water to the bottom of their roasting pans. We do not recommend adding water to the bottom of the pan. Cooking a turkey with steam is a moist heat-cook method and is acceptable, sure, but is not the preferred method for cooking your turkey.”
How do you cook a Turkey in an electric roaster?
There are many great recipes for cooking a turkey in an electric roaster. However, a simple and classic recipe involves rubbing the turkey with butter and seasoning it with salt, pepper, and herbs. Then, roast the turkey in the electric roaster at 325°F until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Do you need to cover a Turkey in an electric roaster?
No, you do not need to cover your turkey with foil when cooking it in an electric roaster. The roaster will keep the turkey moist without the need for additional coverings. Is it better to cook a turkey in an oven or an electric roaster? Both ovens and electric roasters are great for cooking turkeys.
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.