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.
As Thanksgiving approaches oven space becomes precious real estate. Between casseroles pies, and rolls, finding room for the star of the show – the turkey – can feel like an impossible juggling act. This is exactly why electric roasters shine during the holidays. Not only does a turkey cook significantly faster in an electric roaster, it also frees up your oven for everything else on the menu.
What is an Electric Roaster and How Does it Work?
An electric roaster looks similar to a large portable cooler but functions more like a counterop oven. Ranging in size from 16 to 24 quarts a roaster can easily accommodate a Thanksgiving turkey.
Electric roasters have heating elements built into the appliance walls to heat and circulate hot air around the food. Many models have adjustable temperature controls from 150°F to 450°F. They are incredibly convenient appliances that can cook, roast, bake, and keep food warm.
Faster Cooking Times with an Electric Roaster
The main appeal of using an electric roaster for your holiday turkey is the decreased cooking time. Roasters use less time than a traditional oven because you are cooking in a smaller, self-contained environment.
Here’s a comparison of approximate turkey cooking times:
- 12-13 lb turkey – 1 3/4 hours in a roaster vs. 3-3 1/2 hours in an oven
- 14-18 lb turkey – 2-2 1/2 hours in a roaster vs. 3 1/2-4 hours in an oven
- 20-24 lb turkey – 3-3 1/2 hours in a roaster vs. 4-4 1/2 hours in an oven
As you can see, you can shave off 1-2 hours of cooking time by using a roaster. That’s incredibly valuable time savings on a hectic holiday!
It’s important to note that cooking times are always estimates. Rely on a meat thermometer to determine doneness rather than cook times. Electric roasters don’t brown foods as effectively as an oven, so be sure to rub the turkey skin with butter, broth, and spices for color.
More Efficient, Even Cooking
In addition to shorter cook times, electric roasters often provide very efficient, even cooking results. The hot air circulates all around the turkey to prevent cold or hot spots. Many ovens have uneven heating which can lead to overcooked breast meat or undercooked thighs.
The self-contained environment of a roaster means very little heat escapes during cooking. Ovens lose heat each time the door is opened to baste or check doneness. This delays cooking.
Keeps the Kitchen Cooler
On top of freeing up oven space, using an electric roaster prevents your kitchen from overheating. Running your oven for hours on Thanksgiving inevitably turns your kitchen into a sauna.
Roasters don’t release hot air into your space. This helps keep the room cooler for hours of holiday meal prep. One less source of heat is a welcome reprieve.
Downsides to Consider
While electric roasters provide some clear advantages, there are a few potential downsides to consider:
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Limited capacity: Roasters max out at 24 quarts or about a 24 pound turkey. For very large gatherings, your bird may be too big.
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Lack of browning: Ovens promote more even browning and crisping of the turkey skin. Expect paler skin from a roaster.
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Specialized appliance: If you only use it once or twice a year, it may not be worth the cost and storage.
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Lower heat: Maximum temperatures around 450°F limit what you can cook compared to a 500°F oven.
The Verdict
After looking extensively at the pros and cons, it’s clear electric roasters excel at cooking Thanksgiving turkey. The significantly shorter cook time is an incredible asset when juggling oven space. And keeping your kitchen cooler is a major perk.
For households that host large gatherings, an electric roaster can be a lifesaver during the holidays. The even cooking and set-it-and-forget-it ease also make it beginner friendly. You’ll sacrifice a bit of crispy skin and browning, but the timesavings are worth it.
If you serve smaller groups, already have multiple ovens, or don’t have storage space, a roaster may not warrant the cost and real estate. But for most busy home cooks, an electric roaster is a secret weapon on Thanksgiving. Be sure to rub the skin with butter and spices pre-roasting to maximize browning.
The next time you’re faced with a crowded oven on Thanksgiving or Christmas, consider letting a trusty electric roaster take one task off your plate. Your turkey will cook in record time, freeing up oven space for everything else on the menu!
⭐Tips for Making the Best Turkey
Be sure to check out the step by step instructions
- Before you buy a turkey, make sure you know what size electric roaster you have. If you don’t, you might get one that doesn’t fit.
- Keep the lid on the roaster as much as possible. If you have a wireless thermometer, all you have to do is open the cover.
- This is why every bad holiday dinner I’ve had was because the turkey wasn’t fully thawed. So thaw the turkey completely and safely!.
- Don’t skip the resting time. After resting, the bird will be more juicy and easier to cut up.
FAQ About Cooking Turkey in a Roaster Oven
Maybe, but I don’t recommend it because it increases the chance of undercooked food. Having an electric roaster frees up space in the oven. You can bake the stuffing or make slow cooker stuffing in some of that space.
I’ve had a Nesco 18-quart roaster oven for years, which holds up to a 22-pound turkey, and it works great. The Oster 22-quart is also very popular and can hold a bird up to 26 pounds. You can’t go wrong with either.
Start at 450 degrees F. Then after half an hour, reduce the heat to 350 degrees F. This lets the skin turn golden brown quickly at the beginning of the cooking time.
No basting is necessary. The smaller size of the roaster oven keeps the turkey moist and juicy. There is also no need to add water to the bottom.
Does an electric roaster cook a turkey faster?
FAQ
Is it better to put turkey in oven or electric roaster?
Do you put liquid at the bottom of an electric roaster for turkey?
Does an electric roaster cook the same as an oven?
How do you cook a Turkey in an electric roaster?
HOW TO ROAST A TURKEY IN AN ELECTRIC ROASTER Remove the giblets and neck from the turkey cavity and pat it dry. Remove the rack from the roaster oven. Place turkey in the roaster on the rack breast side up. Rub the turkey with the butter and season with salt and pepper. Cover the roaster and cook at 400 degrees for 30 minutes.
Does an electric roaster Cook a Turkey faster?
Not only will an electric roaster cook your turkey faster, it won’t create any more heat in an already warm and stuffy room. When it comes to electric roaster size, it depends on the size of your turkey. Most electric roasters range in size from 16-quart-capacity to 22-quart-capacity.
How long does a roasted turkey take to cook?
Remove the rack from the roaster oven. Place turkey in the roaster on the rack breast side up. Rub the turkey with the butter and season with salt and pepper. Cover the roaster and cook at 400 degrees for 30 minutes. Lower the heat to 325 degrees and cook for 3 ½ – 4 hours. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What is the cooking time for a roasted turkey?
Should you buy an electric Turkey roaster?
An electric turkey roaster is your answer. Not only does it make the roasting process more streamlined, but cooking a turkey in a roaster oven also ensures that it’s evenly cooked, juicy, and golden brown. It’s a game-changer for those who want to multitask in the kitchen during Thanksgiving and other holidays.
Do you have to prep a Turkey differently than a roaster?
You don’t have to prep your turkey any differently than you would to roast it in your oven. Because you’re cooking in a different (much smaller) appliance the only real difference is how long you’ll cook turkey in an electric roaster. Because a roaster is much smaller, it cooks your turkey faster (yay!).
Can you cook a 22 pound turkey in a roaster?
I recommend the Oster 18-quart roaster oven which can hold a 22 pound turkey. It boasts a “self-basting” lid and has a “warm” setting to keep your turkey perfectly warm. How do you make herb butter for turkey? Yes, you can just throw a turkey in the roaster and have it come out fork tender, but for the best flavor, rub it down with herbed butter.