Make an electric roaster oven turkey this holiday season to get a tasty turkey without taking up valuable oven space. The turkey cooks on its own, and you can enjoy a juicy, perfect roast turkey with golden brown skin.
It’s hard for home cooks to fit everything in the oven for Thanksgiving. Pies, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, scalloped potatoes, rolls, and other foods are all competing for space.
And a turkey will take up most of the space. Because I’ve never had a house with two ovens, I use an electric roaster oven to cook the turkey. A separate roaster oven cooks the turkey and contains all the juices and mess.
You don’t have to get up at 7 am to start dinner because an electric turkey roaster cooks the bird even faster than a regular oven.
The toaster oven is a versatile small appliance that can do everything from toasting bread to baking cookies and more. But what about roasting a whole turkey? Is it possible to cook a turkey in a toaster oven?
The short answer is yes, you can prepare a small turkey in a toaster oven. While it may seem unlikely at first, with the right techniques, a toaster oven can churn out delicious, moist turkey perfect for smaller households.
Read on to learn how to roast turkey in a toaster oven successfully. We’ll cover tips for choosing the right turkey, recipes cook times and how to prep the bird.
Benefits of Using a Toaster Oven
Here are some of the advantages to cooking turkey in a toaster oven versus a traditional oven:
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Perfect for small birds – Toaster ovens can accommodate turkeys up to 16 pounds. Great for couples or smaller families.
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Cooks faster – The confined space leads to quick, even cooking. Roasting time is reduced.
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** Easy to monitor** – You can easily keep an eye on the bird through the glass door.
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Moist meat – The smaller cavity does an excellent job sealing in juices.
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Adds convenience – Free up your main oven for side dishes.
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Energy efficient – Toaster ovens use less energy than a full-size oven.
As long as you select the right size turkey and follow a tested recipe, the toaster oven can deliver delicious results.
Choosing the Right Turkey Size
The small interior of a toaster oven means you have to be choosey about turkey size. Here are some guidelines:
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Up to 12 inches wide – Measure to make sure turkey fits horizontally.
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Up to 6 inches tall – Make sure turkey clears interior height when placed vertically.
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10-16 pounds – Stick with a smaller bird in the 10 to 16 pound range.
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No stuffing – Skip stuffing which requires oven space for the stuffing to cook through.
Buying a thawed “boneless turkey breast” is an easy option that cooks quickly. Or opt for a small bone-in turkey.
Step-By-Step Method
Follow these steps for juicy turkey cooked in a toaster oven:
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Thaw turkey: Give yourself 24 hours to thaw turkey in the fridge before cooking.
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Prep turkey: Remove giblets, rinse turkey, pat dry. Truss legs with cooking twine.
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Rub with oil and season: Coat all over with olive oil or butter. Generously season inside and out with salt and pepper.
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Place vertically: Stand turkey up on a rack over a pan to catch drippings.
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Roast and baste: Cook at 350°F for 15 minutes per pound, until 165°F. Baste with pan juices every 30 minutes.
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Let rest before carving: Allow turkey to rest 15 minutes before slicing.
Use a meat thermometer to confirm the turkey reaches a safe 165°F in the thickest part of the breast before removing from oven. If pan drippings start to burn, add a little water or broth to the bottom of the pan.
Toaster Oven Turkey Tips
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Allow at least 1 inch all around the turkey for air flow.
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Tent foil over turkey if skin browns too quickly.
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For crispier skin, broil for the last 5-10 minutes.
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If smoking or burning occurs, lower heat 25 degrees.
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Check temperature early and allow carryover cooking to 165°F.
With the right prep and monitoring, you can enjoy flavorful, juicy turkey from your toaster oven. Don’t be afraid to give it a try this holiday season!
Toaster Oven Turkey FAQs
What size pan should I use?
Choose a pan that fits your toaster oven with at least 2 inch sides. A 9×13 inch pan is a good standard size.
How long does it take per pound?
Plan on roasting for 15 minutes per pound at 350°F. So a 12 lb turkey will take about 3 hours.
Can I stuff the turkey?
Skip stuffing, which requires the center to reach 165°F. Cook stuffing separately to be safe.
Should I tent foil over it?
Tenting foil over the turkey breast and legs prevents over-browning if needed.
Do I need to flip or rotate?
No flipping or rotation is needed. Turkey cooks evenly standing up vertically.
What temp for reheating?
Reheat cooked turkey pieces to 165°F. Slice breast and reheat slices arranged in a pan until hot.
Don’t reserve the toaster oven just for making toast or heating up leftovers. With the right guidelines, you can roast a moist, delicious small turkey perfect for Thanksgiving or anytime.
How to Cook Turkey in an Electric Roaster Oven
- If you want to, you can brine the bird for 12 to 24 hours before roasting it. Get turkey brining instructions here.
- Preheat: Preheat the roaster to 450 degrees F.
- Get the turkey ready to roast: remove it from its packaging and wash it well. Use paper towels to dry it, and then take the neck and giblets out of the body.
- Season: Put the bird on the roaster rack. Melt the butter and brush it over the skin with a pastry brush. Spread the poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper out on the outside of the chicken.
- Optional: Add Fruit: Put some orange or apple slices inside the body. I don’t think stuffing should be put in the body cavity, but putting some fruit in there can make it taste better.
- Cook: Roast it at 450 degrees F for 30 minutes.
- Lower the Heat: Lower the heat to 350 degrees F without lifting the lid. Roast it for the remainder of the cooking time. Allow about 15-20 minutes per pound for cooking time. See the timing section for more information.
- Check the Temperature: To find out how hot the meat is inside, use a meat thermometer. It is safe to serve at 165 degrees F.
- Rest: Lift the turkey out of the roaster. Wrap the bird in foil and let it rest for 20 minutes before cutting it up.
❓How Do I Make my Turkey Golden Brown?
An oven-baked turkey will have a little more brown and crispy skin than a roaster-baked turkey. You have to do a little extra if you want perfectly golden brown turkey in a roaster oven. Here are some options:
- After cooking the turkey, broil it for a few minutes to make the skin nice and brown.
- Brush browning sauce on the bird before roasting. This is used to add color to roasts and gravy. You can buy it online or find it in the gravy section of most grocery stores.