As Thanksgiving approaches, home cooks everywhere are gearing up to roast the star of the holiday meal – the turkey. And for many, that means dusting off Grandma’s antique roasting pan that’s been passed down for generations. But what if you don’t have a traditional roasting pan? Can you use another type of pan, like a glass baking dish, to roast your turkey?
The short answer is no glass pans are not recommended for roasting whole turkeys. While glass bakeware is perfectly safe for most oven uses, turkey requires special consideration. Here’s what you need to know about picking the right roasting pan, whether glass, metal or disposable.
Why Glass Isn’t Ideal for Roasting Turkey
There are a few reasons why glass pans aren’t the best choice for roasting turkey
Temperature Changes – Glass bakeware is sensitive to sudden temperature changes, which can cause it to crack or shatter The high heat of an oven combined with the cold temperature of a raw turkey make glass an risky choice
Insufficient Browning – Glass pans don’t promote good browning on the turkey skin. For that golden crispy skin everyone craves, you need a pan that conducts and retains heat well, like metal.
Improper Fit – Whole turkeys are quite large and usually won’t fit properly in a standard glass baking dish. They need ample room for air circulation so the inside cooks through while the outside crisps up.
Lack of Handles – Large birds require careful maneuvering in and out of the oven. Glass pans often lack handles, making them unwieldy and unsafe for heavy roasting.
Weigh Constraints – A 15-20 lb turkey weighs a ton! Glass has much lower weight limits compared to metal and may crack under the strain.
Drippings Containment – The generous amount of fatty drippings from a roasting turkey can bake onto glass, making cleanup a nightmare. Proper roasting pans have racks to elevate the bird and keep drippings contained.
Pick the Right Roasting Pan for the Best Results
While glass is off the table, you still have several good options for roasting vessels. Here are the best pans to use:
Traditional Roasting Pans
Heavy duty stainless steel or enameled cast iron roasting pans are ideal for cooking turkey. They’re designed specifically for large cuts of meat, with sturdy rack inserts to elevate the bird for even cooking. The excellent conductivity also helps produce crispy skin. Many types have handles or grip areas for safe maneuvering.
Sheet Pans
Rimmed sheet pans or jelly roll pans (half sheet pans) are common in every kitchen. The low sides allow for air flow. You’ll need to place carrots, celery or crumpled foil underneath the turkey to elevate it. The large surface area gives plenty of space. Just be sure to choose a heavy gauge metal pan.
Disposable Aluminum Roasting Pans
Basic disposable aluminum roasting pans available at any grocery store are a convenient, inexpensive option, though not particularly decorative for serving. They’re made of thin aluminum so heat conductivity is decent. Look for solidly constructed pans with higher wall sides.
Cast Iron Skillets or Dutch Ovens
For smaller birds, a cast iron skillet or Dutch oven with lid can work beautifully. The thick material conducts heat perfectly to crisp the skin. Use a metal trivet or vegetables as a rack. Plus, cast iron pots give a rustic, old-fashioned appeal.
Metal Baking Pans
In a pinch, a metal baking sheet with sides like a 9×13-inch pan will get the job done, though snugly. The shallow walls limit how much liquid stays in the pan. As with sheet pans, you’ll need to elevate the bird with vegetables or foil.
Roasting Tips for the Best Bird Possible
Once you’ve selected the ideal roasting pan, keep these tips in mind for a perfectly cooked turkey:
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Brine the turkey for added moisture and flavor. Make a simple saltwater brine or experiment with unique flavors in the brine like onions, herbs, citrus and spices.
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Pat the turkey dry before cooking for crispier skin. Allowing it to air dry in the fridge overnight is ideal.
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Rub butter or oil over the skin and under the skin over the breast to promote browning and prevent drying out. Season generously with salt and pepper.
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Place the turkey breast side up on a rack over a foil-lined pan, with plenty of room around the bird for air flow.
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Baste the turkey every 30 minutes with the pan juices to keep it nice and moist.
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Use an instant read thermometer to check doneness, not just cooking time. The thigh should reach 175°F and the breast 165°F.
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Allow the turkey to rest at least 30 minutes before carving so the juices redistribute through the meat.
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Make gravy from the tasty pan drippings. They’re filled with great roasted turkey flavor!
With the right roasting vessel and some simple roasting techniques, you’ll have a Norman Rockwell-worthy golden turkey on your Thanksgiving table this year. But do avoid that tempting glass bakeware in order to serve up the perfect holiday bird.
What Is a Roasting Pan?
A roasting pan is a large oven-safe pan with a rack that fits inside. Steel or aluminum that is thick is often used to make it, and it can hold the weight of whole chickens and big roasts. The rack keeps the meat off the bottom of the pan, which lets air flow and cooks the meat evenly. The pan below collects the meat juices and can be used to roast vegetables.
If you roast meat regularly, owning a roasting pan makes a lot of sense. Theyre not particularly expensive and can be found second-hand. A roasting pan big enough for a turkey, on the other hand, might take up more space than it’s worth for people who don’t often cook big meat dinners. If this sounds like you, use things you already have in the kitchen to make a makeshift pan and rack set-up.
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Roasting Pan Alternatives
The best roasting pan substitutes are a minimum of 9-by-13 inches. Also, the sides should be raised and tall enough to catch all the juices that run off the meat while it cooks.
Pans that should be big enough to accommodate a large turkey or roast include:
- In general, a 9-by-13-inch cake pan works, but for a full-sized turkey, you’ll need one that’s a bit bigger.
- When making a casserole dish, use the same size guide as when making a cake pan. For ceramic dishes, make sure they can handle the temperature your recipe calls for; the highest temperature is usually written on the bottom.
- A typical broiler pan doesn’t have high sides like a roasting pan, but it does have a rack for drippings. These are often sold with ovens or can be bought separately.
- You can find foil roasting pans at most grocery stores. These pans are meant to be used only once. The biggest drawback is that theyre flimsy. Putting it on a strong baking sheet will make it safe to take the meat in and out of the oven.
If youre roasting a small cut of meat, like a chicken or pork loin, the options include:
- Cookie Sheet: Ensure it has raised sides to catch drippings.
- Skillet Safe for the Oven: Cast iron and stainless steel skillets work great for this. Do not use nonstick pans or handles that will melt in the oven.
Cooking & Kitchen Tips : How to Use a Turkey Roasting Pan
FAQ
Can you roast a turkey in a glass Pyrex pan?
Can I use a glass pan instead of a roasting pan?
What type of pan is best for roasting a turkey?
What can I use if I don’t have a roasting pan for turkey?
Can you roast a Turkey in a glass Pan?
If you decide to roast a turkey in a glass pan, here are a few tips to help you get the best results: 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 2. Rinse the turkey inside and out and pat it dry with paper towels. 3. Season the turkey with salt, pepper, and any other desired seasonings. 4. Place the turkey in a glass roasting pan.
How do you cook a turkey breast in a pan?
* Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. * Lightly grease the inside of the pan with cooking spray. * Place the turkey breast-side up in the pan. * Tuck the wings behind the back and tie the legs together. * Fill the pan with 1 cup of water. * Cover the pan with foil.
How do you cook a roasted turkey in the oven?
Add any remaining herbs or garlic on top of the skin and drap the butter soaked cheese cloth over most of the turkey. Add 4 cups of chicken stock/broth to the roasted pan. Place the turkey in the oven at 425 degrees F for 45 minutes. After 45 minutes, reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Remove the turkey from the oven and bast.
Can you cook a Turkey in a disposable Pan?
Serve with some sidings or a sweet sauce to add taste. Using a disposable pan to cook turkey might be convenient since no washing is required, but it is expensive. You can budget for an affordable and durable roasting pan to reduce the expense of foil roasters each time you want to make a turkey. Cooking turkey in a disposable pan is possible.
Are glass pans good for roasting?
This can be a definite positive when roasting, though smart cooks know to make a few adjustments. One of the most notable characteristics of glass roasting pans is their ability to brown your roasts. The heat trapped in the borosilicate radiates against the meat, as if the oven walls had moved to just a few inches away.
Can you cook chicken in a glass pan?
Glass performs well in the oven for cooking chicken and is better at roasting than cheap cookie style sheets because it keeps the heat distribution fairly smooth. However, the passage does not directly answer if you can cook chicken in a glass pan, but rather mentions that glass performs well for roasting.