How to Bake Two Turkeys at Once for Thanksgiving

You can make a huge turkey if you have a lot of people over and want to serve much food. But theres another option: Cook two smaller birds in the oven at the same time.

“If you want something more juicy and tender that will fit in your oven, two birds might be a better choice,” says King Phojanakong, a chef at the Institute of Culinary Education. com. A larger and older turkey is more likely to have tough meat, Phojanakong says.

You might also find it easier to handle two smaller birds. For example, it’s much easier to lift a roasting pan full of a 12-pound turkey than a 24-pound bird that’s already very hot. With two birds in play, you can also use different seasonings. Plus, youll cut down on cook time: Two small turkeys cook faster than a single super-sized one.

But if youre going to cook two turkeys at once, youll need to do some advance planning. Here’s what you need to know and how to cook two turkeys in the oven at the same time.

Cooking two turkeys together can seem like a daunting task But with some planning and preparation, you can pull off baking two birds at the same time

Why Cook Two Turkeys?

There are a few good reasons to cook two smaller turkeys rather than one large turkey:

It can be easier to handle two 10-12 lb birds than one 20+ lb turkey, The smaller ones are less unwieldy
You’ll end up with more leftovers Who doesn’t love turkey sandwiches after Thanksgiving?
Cooking two small turkeys often takes less time than one huge bird. Less risk of drying out the meat.
Provides the option to try two different recipes, rubs, brines or stuffings.
If you have a particularly large gathering or big family, two turkeys may be required to feed everyone sufficiently.

Tips for Successfully Baking Two Turkeys

Follow these tips and tricks from cooking experts to ensure your double turkey baking goes smoothly:

Choose the Right Sized Turkeys

For most ovens, aim for two turkeys in the 10-12 lb range. This size should fit well in a standard oven.
Make sure both birds are about the same size to ensure even cooking.

Get the Right Roasting Pans

Use two sturdy, high-quality roasting pans with racks. Standard 13×9 inch pans work well.
Make sure your pans will fit in your oven side-by-side with space between them. Measure ahead of time.

Prep the Turkeys

Thaw frozen turkeys completely before baking. Give yourself plenty of lead time.
Prepare turkeys as desired with rubs, herbs, brines or marinades.
Truss turkeys and tie legs together to help hold shape during cooking.

Plan Oven Placement

Place pans side-by-side on lower third of oven, leaving 2-3 inches between pans.
Switch pans racks halfway during baking for even cooking.

Monitor Temperature

Use a meat thermometer to check temperature frequently.
Bake until thighs reach 175°F and breasts reach 165°F.
Let turkeys rest for 20-30 minutes before carving for juiciest meat.

Don’t Double Roast Time

Roast two 10-12 lb turkeys for approximately 2 3/4 – 3 hours at 325°F.
Resist the urge to double the roasting time. Cook as if only baking one turkey.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Follow this step-by-step guide for successfully roasting two turkeys at once:

1. Prepare the Turkeys

Thaw frozen turkeys for several days in the refrigerator. Cook from fully thawed.
Remove giblets and neck from cavities. Discard or use for gravy.
Pat turkeys dry with paper towels. Apply any rubs or marinades.
Truss turkeys by tying legs together with kitchen string. Helps keep shape.

2. Prep the Roasting Pans

Place a rack in the bottom of each sturdy roasting pan. Add 1/2 cup water to each pan.
Rub the racks with oil or spray with nonstick spray so the turkeys don’t stick.

3. Roast the Birds

Preheat oven to 325°F.
Place prepared turkeys breast side up on racks in pans.
Put pans side-by-side on lower third of oven 2-3 inches apart.
Roast for 1 1/2 hours, then switch pan positions and baste turkeys.
Continue roasting, basting occasionally, until thermometer reads 165°F breast, 175°F thigh.
Let rest 20-30 minutes before carving.

4. Make Delicious Gravy

Spoon drippings from pans into fat separator. Let sit 5 minutes.
Pour defatted drippings into saucepan. Make a roux with flour and drippings.
Whisk in turkey broth slowly until desired gravy thickness is reached.
Season gravy with salt, pepper and other spices as desired.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my turkeys aren’t exactly the same size?

Aim for turkeys within a pound or two of each other. Cook until the larger turkey reaches the target temperature. If needed, tent the smaller turkey with foil.

What if my oven isn’t big enough?

Consider alternative cooking methods like smoking, deep-frying or using an electric roaster. Or, cook extra turkey breasts instead of whole birds.

How long does it take to thaw turkeys?

Allow 24 hours of thawing for every 4-5 pounds. So a 12 lb turkey takes 2 1/2 to 3 days in the fridge. Submerge in cold water to speed thawing.

Is it better to cook two small or one large turkey?

Two small turkeys cook more quickly, lowering risk of drying out the meat. Smaller birds also tend to be more tender and flavorful.

How much should I buy per person?

Plan on purchasing 1 – 1 1/2 pounds of turkey meat per guest. An 8 lb turkey feeds about 8 people when accounting for bone/waste.

Key Takeaways

When cooking two turkeys, select birds around 10-12 lbs each for easiest roasting.
Use two sturdy roasting pans that will both fit in your oven with space between them.
Truss turkeys, prep pans with racks and water, and place birds breast up on lower third of oven 2-3 inches apart.
Roast at 325°F approximately 2 3/4 – 3 hours total, switching pan positions halfway through.
Cook to 165°F breast and 175°F thigh temperatures before allowing the turkeys to rest for 20-30 minutes.

With some planning and prep work, you can successfully bake two flavorful, juicy turkeys this Thanksgiving!

how to bake 2 turkeys

Make Sure Your Oven Is Large Enough

Youll need to fit the two turkeys — and their two roasting pans — in the oven. But youll also need the air in the oven to be able to circulate around a bit, according to the USDA. If your oven will have a clown car-like appearance with two turkeys inside it, cooking two birds at once might not work for you.

“Its best to use separate roasting pans,” Phojanakong says. That’s to keep everyone safe, since two turkeys in a roasting pan can be heavy and hard to move, he says. Plus, the air cant circulate easily if both turkeys are crammed in a single roasting pan, Phojanakong says.

To that end, youll want to place the roasting pans in different corners of the oven, per guidance from the National Turkey Federation (NTF).

Phojanakong suggests putting the turkey on a roasting rack or a bed of root vegetables to raise it and get more blood flowing. “This will create some more space for the heat to circulate. ”.

Fully Cook Both Turkeys

Turkey should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Youll want to check the turkeys temperature in three spots, per the USDA:

the thickest part of the breast
the innermost part of the wing
the innermost part of the thigh