As Thanksgiving approaches many of us start stressing about roasting the big bird. We dig out unwieldy roasting pans from the depths of our cupboards and fret over whether our ovens can properly cook a massive turkey. But what if I told you roasting a moist delicious turkey is easier than you think? Enter the humble sheet pan – your new go-to for roasting turkey with ease.
I know, it might seem weird to cook your turkey on a plain old sheet pan versus a traditional roasting pan. But hear me out! Sheet pans have some major advantages that can lead to better results. The low shallow sides promote air circulation for even browning without blocking heat like a deep roasting pan. This allows the thighs to cook through just as nicely as the breast. You end up with crispier skin all over and a fully cooked underside instead of it stewing in juices.
Plus, the sheet pan takes up less space, simplifies seasoning and prep, and keeps all the tasty drippings in one place for gravy making. Don’t have fancy roasting racks or lifters? No problem! A basic wire cooling rack placed inside the sheet pan elevates the turkey for heat flow. See, sheet pan turkey just makes sense!
Convinced yet? Let me walk you through how to roast a turkey step-by-step the sheet pan way:
What You Need:
- Rimmed aluminum or steel sheet pan (half sheet pans are ideal)
- Wire cooling rack
- 12-16 lb turkey
- Oil, butter or broth for moistening
- Seasonings of your choice
Prep the Pan
Place the wire rack inside your sheet pan and spray with nonstick for easy cleanup.
Prep the Bird
Pat turkey dry and rub all over with oil or butter. Generously season the skin. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes while you preheat.
Roast That Bird
Heat oven to 425°F with rack in lower third. Put seasoned turkey breast up on the wire rack. Loosely tent with foil and roast 30 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350°F, remove foil and continue roasting until 165°F breast/175°F thighs.
Let It Rest
You gotta let the turkey rest at least 30 minutes before carving so juices redistribute.
Make Gravy
Use the tasty drippings in the sheet pan to make gravy. So easy!
With this method, your turkey comes out tender and juicy on the inside with amazingly crispy skin on the outside. Carving is easier too since it cooks evenly. No more dry breast or pink thighs!
To get the best results, remember to use a meat thermometer for doneness. Letting the turkey rest afterwards and making gravy in the pan boosts flavor. Brining or rubbing the skin with flavored butter never hurts either. Oh, and feel free to roast veggies right alongside for a sheet pan dinner!
See, you got this! Ditch the bulky roasting pan this year and relax with simple sheet pan turkey. Your family will rave about the crispy, juicy perfection. It might just become your new favorite Thanksgiving tradition. I’m tossing my roasting pan and sticking to the easy sheet pan method from now on. Give it a try yourself – Happy Thanksgiving!
Step 2: Place Turkey on Baking Steel
After a solid 45 minutes or so of preheating, place your seasoned, dried, dry-brined turkey in its V-rack in a rimmed baking sheet directly on top of the baking steel.
How to Get Crisp-Skinned Turkey
Getting crisp skin is really a simple matter of cooking it long enough that collagen (one of the proteins that make it tough) has time to convert to gelatin and drain away, fat has time to render out, and the remaining proteins have time to dehydrate and brown. So, for crisper skin, your goal is to maximize air circulation, which not only brings hot air to the turkey more effectively (thus cooking the skin faster) but also removes excess moisture, allowing the skin to crisp better.
Other things that can affect how efficiently turkey skin browns include how dry it is to begin with and its pH. By rubbing the skin with a bit of baking powder and salt, then letting the turkey rest overnight, not only do you improve the turkeys juiciness (a process known as dry-brining), you also improve the skins browning capacity.
A Beginner’s Guide to Roasting a Turkey | Food Wishes
FAQ
Can you roast a turkey in a sheet pan?
Transfer the turkey to the oven and roast, rotating the sheet pan and basting the turkey once or twice, for 3 ½ –4 hours, or until the turkey is deeply golden brown and the internal temperature is 165 degrees (a few degrees shy of 165 is OK, it will come to temp as it rests).
Can I use a sheet pan instead of a roasting pan?
Even when you’re roasting vegetables, an aluminum baking sheet will give you a faster cooking time, offer more space than a standard roasting pan, trap less steam, and be easier to handle.
What is the best pan to roast a turkey in?
- Best Overall Turkey Roasting Pan. Hestan Provisions 14.5-inch Classic Clad Roaster with Rack. Read more.
- Best Value Turkey Roasting Pan. Cuisinart Chef’s Classic 16-Inch Rectangular Roaster with Rack. Read more.
- Best Turkey Roasting Pan for Basting. Goodcook Everyday Nonstick Quick-Baste Roasting Pan. Read more.
Should you roast a Turkey on a sheet pan?
It might be surprising and somewhat untraditional, but for the most evenly browned turkey, you should roast it on a sheet pan. Here’s why: Traditional roasting pans are quite deep; the one I own (and use for making huge batches of party mix, not for roasting turkeys) is nearly four inches tall.
Can one have turkey and carrots?
Eating turkey and carrots is part of healthy habits. The turkey has meat like chicken and is another healthy poultry option. Carrots are rich in carotenoids, it is a source of vitamin A, fiber, potassium and vitamin B3.
Can you cook a Turkey in a roasting pan?
In fact, cooking your turkey in a roasting pan may be the exact thing preventing your turkey from being the star of the show. Roasting your turkey on a rimmed baking sheet pan instead will result in an evenly browned turkey that is perfectly cooked on the bottom without drying out the coveted breast meat of the bird.
Should you roast a Turkey on a rimmed baking sheet?
Roasting your turkey on a rimmed baking sheet pan instead will result in an evenly browned turkey that is perfectly cooked on the bottom without drying out the coveted breast meat of the bird. Contrary to popular belief, a roasting pan is not necessarily the best way to roast a turkey.
What size sheet pan should I use for a Turkey?
But a rimmed sheet pan, with its lower side walls and shallower depth, allows the oven’s heat to circulate on all sides of the bird. A half-sheet pan measuring 18-by-13 inches with 1-inch side walls should allow enough room for the turkey to cook to perfection in the oven.
How do you cook a tan Turkey in the oven?
Your turkey will instead end up with a tan line and flabby skin over the thighs and wings. When you elevate the bird above the pan, the oven’s heat can reach those lower areas. A standard 18×13-inch half sheet pan (rimmed baking sheet) is ideal.