This turkey in the roaster oven is great for first time turkey cookers or for seasoned professionals. It produces a moist and juicy bird. You will want to make turkey every time this simple way.
The turkey will take less time and you will make perfect roast turkey every time with this easy step by step instructions for using a roaster oven.
SAVE THIS RECIPE!
Enter your email below and we’ll send this recipe straight to your inbox.
Turkey in the Roaster Oven is so much easier than cooking it in a conventional oven. It is faster, easier and turkey in a turkey oven frees up oven space. Cook your turkey this way every Thanksgiving.
Also, by using the roaster oven you will make a wonderful dinner that everyone will love. The manufacturer will explain the maximum size of bird that will fit in the roaster. As with conventional ovens, cook time can vary.
If you’re looking for more Thanksgiving recipes, try these Pumpkin Bars Recipe, Sausage and Apple Stuffing Recipe and Maple Roasted Brussel Sprouts.
With over 200 easy and delicious dinner ideas, you'll never have to worry about what to make for dinner again.
Why We Love This Turkey in an Electric Roaster Recipe
When calculating the expected cooking time, allow 15-20 minutes per pound. The cooking time will be longer if you stuff it.
- 15 Minute Prep: Just a simple 15 minute prep and then cook the turkey.
- Easy Ingredients: All found in pantry or fridge, this recipe uses simple ingredients and is so easy to cook.
- Family Friendly: Save time and spend more with the family without using a regular oven.
- Adaptable: Can make it low-carb or dairy free, etc…
- Makes Great Leftovers: Use leftovers for Crock Pot Turkey Soup or Turkey Club Sandwich Kebabs.
Ingredient Notes for Turkey in a Roaster
- Turkey: A fresh turkey or a thawed turkey. A 12 to twenty pound turkey.
- Stock: Turkey stock, try a low sodium version for this recipe so you can control the amount of sodium.
- Vegetables: Onion, carrots celery for the turkey cavity.
- Stuffing: A prepared stuffing or a box stuffing mix.
Herb Butter
- Butter: Softened, try a low sodium version.
- Fresh thyme: This fresh herb is perfect for the flavor of the turkey.
- Poultry seasoning: This gives bland turkey a kick.
You can also amp up the flavor by trying this Cajun Turkey Recipe.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Variations and Substitutions to Cook a Turkey in a Roaster Oven
The perfect turkey in an electric cooker is easily adjustable. Simply make a few variations and you are good to go.
- Chicken: You can use an oven bag to use a roast a chicken too.
- Stuffing: While box stuffing is easy you can use your favorite recipe for stuffing.
- Turkey Roaster: An electric turkey roaster is a great way to cook the turkey and free up critical oven space.
How to Roast Turkey Golden Brown in an Electric Roaster Oven
Turkey in the roaster is the best way to cook turkey, whether it is a thanksgiving turkey or just a normal night when you want the perfect turkey than roasting turkey in an electric roaster is the way to go.
These are the basic steps for making . Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.
Step 1: PREP
First, take the insert pan out of the roaster and preheat the roaster to 450 degrees F
Step 3: RUB/PLACE TURKEY IN THE ROASTER
Rub herb butter all over the outside of the turkey, including the underneath. Place chopped onion, carrots and celery in the bottom on the pan; add stock. Add roasting rack to the pan and place turkey in the roaster on top of the rack. Roast the turkey.
Step 4: TIME USING A ROASTER
Then insert a wired meat thermometer into the thickest part of the bird, avoiding the bone. Next add the cover to the roaster and roast at 450 degrees for 30 minutes. Turn down to 325 degrees and roast for 2-3 hours depending on the size (Unstuffed: 13 minutes per pound, stuffed: 15 minutes per pound) or until internal temperature (between the leg and breast) reaches 165 degrees.
Step 5: REMOVE THE TURKEY FROM THE ROASTER
Finally, when turkey is cooked, remove turkey from roaster and let rest for 20 minutes before carving.
Recipe FAQs to Roast a Turkey
Expert Tips for Making This Roaster Oven Turkey Recipe
Save oven space by making this turkey. Enhance this recipe by using these tips and trick to make your turkey.
- To thaw a turkey: For a frozen turkey allow to thaw 24 hours for every 5 pounds of turkey in a refrigerator.
- Add Fresh Sage: Sage is a wonderful fall flavor, perfect for turkey.
- Turkey Breast: Try a bone-in or boneless turkey breast in the bag.
- Variation tip: Feel free to use gluten free flour in the bag or when you make the gravy with the giblets from the turkey.
- Unstuffed Turkey: If not using a stuffing remember to place vegetables in the cavity of the turkey.
- Turkey Bag: You can use a turkey bag in the roaster.
What to Serve with Turkey in the Roaster Oven
- Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams
- Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes
- Savory Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Rosemary
- Making Gravy from Drippings
Turkey in the Roaster Oven
Ingredients
- 12-20 pound whole turkey
- 1 Herb Butter, recipe below
- ¼ teaspoon Salt and pepper, each
- 1 Onion, peeled and quartered
- 2 Carrots, peeled and chopped into chunks
- 2 Celery stalks, cleaned and chopped into chunks
- 2 cups Turkey stock, or chicken stock
- Prepared stuffing , or extra chopped vegetables 1 onion, 1 carrot, 1 stalk of celery
- Herb Butter
- 2 tablespoons Butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Pepper
- 2 teaspoons Fresh thyme, minced
- 2 teaspoons Poultry seasoning
Instructions
- Take the insert pan out of the roaster and pre-heat the roaster to 450 degrees F.
- Combine all ingredients for herb butter together (I do this in a food processor); set aside.
- Clean turkey – remove neck and gizzards from the cavity.
- Rinse the turkey thoroughly with cold water, including the cavity.
- Pat dry with paper towels.
- Season the outside and cavity generously with salt and pepper.
- If stuffing the bird, fill the cavity with stuffing. If not stuffing the bird, fill the cavity will extra vegetables.
- Rub herb butter all over the outside of the bird, including the underneath.
- Place chopped onion, carrots and celery in the bottom on the pan; add stock.
- Add roasting rack to the pan and place turkey on top of the rack.
- Insert a wired meat thermometer into the thickest part of the bird, avoiding the bone.
- Add the cover to the roaster and roast at 450 degrees for 30 minutes.
- Turn down to 325 degrees and roast for 2-3 hours depending on the size (Unstuffed: 13 minutes per pound, stuffed: 15 minutes per pound) or until internal temperature (between the leg and breast) reaches 165 degrees.
- Remove turkey from roaster and let rest for 15-30 minutes before carving.
Expert Tips
- To thaw a turkey: For a frozen turkey allow to thaw 24 hours for every 5 pounds of turkey in a refrigerator.
- Add Fresh Sage: Sage is a wonderful fall flavor, perfect for turkey.
- Turkey Breast: Try a bone-in or boneless turkey breast in the bag.
- Variation tip: Feel free to use gluten free flour in the bag or when you make the gravy with the giblets from the turkey.
- Unstuffed Turkey: If not using a stuffing remember to place vegetables in the cavity of the turkey.
- Turkey Bag: You can use a turkey bag in the roaster.