As Thanksgiving approaches, many of us are planning how to prepare the centerpiece of the holiday meal – the turkey! While roasting a turkey may seem daunting, it’s simpler than you think if you follow a few guidelines. In this article, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to roast the perfect turkey, including how many minutes per pound you should cook it
Choosing the Right Roaster
First things first – you’ll need the right roaster for the job. Roasters are available in a range of sizes, but an 18-quart roaster is ideal for turkeys up to 18 pounds. This provides enough room for good air circulation to ensure even cooking. It’s not recommended to stuff a turkey roasted in a roaster since the stuffing cooks more slowly than the turkey. An unstuffed turkey will cook more quickly and evenly.
Popular roaster brands like Nesco provide roasting charts with their products to take the guesswork out of cooking times Their roasting guide for an 18-quart roaster recommends the following cook times per pound
- 8 to 12 pound turkey – Cook 13 to 15 minutes per pound
- 12 to 18 pound turkey – Cook 15 to 18 minutes per pound
So for example, for a 12-pound turkey, cook for 13-15 minutes per pound which works out to 156 to 180 minutes total.
Always rely on a meat thermometer over cook times to determine doneness. Insert it into the thickest part of the breast and thigh, avoiding the bone. The turkey is done when it reaches 165°F at the breast and 175°F at the thigh. If using a pop-up timer, also check the temperature in case the timer malfunctions.
Choosing the Right Size Turkey
The right turkey size for your gathering depends on how many people you need to serve. plan for about 1 pound of turkey per person. An extra 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 pound per person is ideal if you want ample leftovers for sandwiches and soups later.
For reference, here are common turkey sizes:
- 8 to 12 pounds: Ideal for 6 to 10 people
- 12 to 16 pounds: Feeds 10 to 16 people
- 16 to 20 pounds: Feeds 15 to 20 hungry guests
- 20 to 24 pounds: Perfect for 20+ person feasts
Buy the largest turkey that will fit in your roaster, allowing 1 to 2 extra inches of space around the bird. This promotes air circulation for even cooking.
Preparing for Roasting Day
You’ll need to plan in advance when roasting a whole turkey:
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Thaw the turkey: Give yourself about one day of thawing for every 4 pounds of turkey. Keep it in the fridge in a pan to catch any drips.
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Dry brine the turkey: For added flavor and moisture, dry brine the turkey up to 2 days before roasting. Rub kosher salt all over the turkey inside and out. Refrigerate on a rack over a pan until roasting day.
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Remove giblets and neck: Check inside both body cavities for the bag of giblets and neck. Use for making stock or gravy if desired.
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Prepare any rubs or bastes: Mix up any homemade rubs, herb butter mixtures, or bastes so they are ready to spread on the turkey.
Step-by-Step Roasting Directions
Follow these simple steps for roasting success:
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Preheat the roaster oven to 325°F.
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Pat the turkey dry with paper towels. Rub the skin all over with olive oil or melted butter. Spread any herb rubs or compounds butter under and on top of the skin.
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Place the turkey breast-side up on the roasting rack. Insert a meat thermometer probe into the thickest part of the breast, avoiding bone.
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Roast the turkey, allowing the recommended cook time per pound based on size. For example, roast a 12 pound turkey for 15-18 minutes per pound, so around 3 hours.
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Check the temperature at the end of the recommended cook time. Continue roasting if needed until it reaches 165°F at the breast and 175°F at the thigh.
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Let the turkey rest at least 20 minutes before carving to allow juices to redistribute.
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Carve the turkey and serve with gravy and your favorite holiday sides!
Troubleshooting Roasted Turkey
Having issues getting your roasted turkey just right? Here are some common problems and solutions:
Turkey is undercooked: The most common issue is removing the turkey when it’s undercooked. Be sure to check temperature properly in multiple spots with a meat thermometer. Continue roasting until it reaches a safe minimum temperature.
Turkey is overcooked and dry: Letting it roast too long can lead to dry meat. Make sure to follow the recommended cook times and use a meat thermometer. Tent foil over it if it browns too fast.
Skin isn’t crispy: Try dry brining the turkey in advance to dry out the skin. Rubbing it with oil/butter helps crisp it up too. If using a roaster oven, the skin crisps nicely due to the hot air circulating.
Meat near bone undercooked: The thick joint areas often cook more slowly. Cover the breast and top of drumsticks with foil to slow cooking if needed. Check temperature with thermometer to ensure safety.
Uneven cooking: Rotate turkey every 45 minutes and tent any hot spots with foil to prevent burning. An oven thermometer confirms your oven heats evenly – if not, rotate more frequently.
Pop-up timer doesn’t pop: These timers can be unreliable. Always check internal temperature manually with a thermometer for accuracy.
Make Holiday Meal Planning Easy
Roasting a turkey in a roaster oven takes the stress out of holiday cooking. Follow the recommended cook times per pound, but rely on a meat thermometer for doneness. With the right techniques, you’ll enjoy a perfectly cooked, juicy turkey this Thanksgiving!
What type of Roaster Oven is best for me?
We have three types of Roaster Ovens to choose from and the best one for you depends on what you’re cooking.
The classic 18 Qt. Roaster Oven has been a staple at holidays, parties, and gatherings for years. It can hold up to a 22 lb. turkey and even bake full pies. It can also be used for cooking and serving chili, hot dogs, or other hot foods for big get-togethers. While your 18 Qt. Roaster Oven cooks the turkey, you can use your oven for side dishes.
The smaller 6 Qt. Roaster Oven is very similar to its larger counterpart. It has the full versatility of the 18 Qt. Roaster Oven, but in a more compact size. Best suited for turkey breasts, Cornish game hens, or side dishes on Thanksgiving because of its compact size, it still features the versatile 200-400 degree temperature range. If you’re having a smaller Thanksgiving meal, this is the right Roaster Oven for you.
NESCO’s newest addition, the High Speed Roaster, is the fastest way to cook a turkey. It can cook up to an 18 lb. turkey in less than two hours and uses infrared lights to sear turkey skin to a perfect golden-brown perfection. The center heating element cooks from the inside out to ensure an even cook every time. This Roaster can also be used for other meat dishes like beef roasts or kebobs.
Do I need to thaw my turkey before roasting?
Yes, no matter what type cooking method you use, you must thaw your turkey. Plan ahead because this takes several days!
If you’re in a hurry, fill a large pot or your sink with cold water. Next, place the unwrapped turkey breast-side down in the water (make sure it’s fully submerged). Thaw for a half hour per pound, changing the water every half hour.
How long do you cook a turkey per pound in the oven?
FAQ
How many minutes per pound for turkey in an electric roaster?
Season with poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper. Determine length of roasting time, normally 15 to 20 minutes per pound. A stuffed turkey will add 30 to 45 minutes to total roasting time. Stuff cavity, if desired.
Should I roast my turkey at 325 or 350?
It’s done when the thermometer just reads between 160º and 165ºF. In general, you should plan to cook a turkey for around 15 to 20 minutes per pound at 325ºF.Nov 15, 2024
How big of a roaster for a 15 lb turkey?
| Turkey Size | Minimum Roasting Pan Size |
|---|---|
| Up to 12 pounds | 14 x 10 x 2-3/4 inches |
| Up to 16 pounds | 15-3/4 x 12 x 3 inches |
| Up to 20 pounds | 16 x 13 x 3 inches |
Do you put water in the roaster when cooking a turkey?
No, you shouldn’t add water to an electric roaster. The roaster traps the moisture inside of it, then recirculates it during the cooking process.
How long do you cook a Turkey per pound?
The standard rule of turkey roasting time says 13 minutes per pound for unstuffed birds and 15 minutes per pound for the stuffed ones. At what temperature should I cook turkey?
How long does it take to roast a turkey breast?
How Long To Roast Turkey Breast – General Rule: The simplest way to figure out turkey roasting times is to calculate 13 minutes per pound at 350°F for an un-stuffed turkey, or 15 minutes per pound for a stuffed turkey. Or 15 minutes per pound at 325 unstuffed and 17 minutes per pound at 325 for a stuffed turkey.
How long to cook a Turkey in a Roaster Oven?
The cooking time for a turkey in a roaster oven can vary depending on the weight of the bird. As a general rule, you can estimate around 13 minutes of cooking time per pound of turkey. However, it is always recommended to use a meat thermometer to ensure that the turkey has reached the proper internal temperature for safe consumption.
How long do you cook a Turkey in an Oster roaster?
A: The cooking time for a turkey in an Oster turkey roaster will vary depending on the size of the turkey and the desired doneness. For a general guideline, cook a turkey at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes per pound. For example, a 12-pound turkey will take about 4 hours to cook.
How long does it take to cook a Turkey at 300?
Cooking at 300°F is considered a low and slow method, resulting in exceptionally tender meat but requiring more time: For an 18-pound unstuffed turkey: 18 pounds × 20 minutes = 360 minutes (6 hours minimum cooking time) How long to cook a turkey at 275? The 275°F cooking temperature is an ultra-low and slow method:
How big should a Turkey be in a Roaster Oven?
Larger turkeys over 18 pounds can also have uneven cooking, along with long cook times. The ideal turkey size for a roaster oven is 12-15 pounds. This provides enough meat for a crowd with ample leftovers, while still cooking evenly from breast to thigh. For gatherings over 15 people, cooking two smaller turkeys may work better than one huge bird.