There’s no reason not to use an electric roaster to cook your turkey—every time it comes out perfectly moist and tender, and you can use your oven for other things. Electric roaster ovens also keep food moister longer than regular ovens, so you don’t have to worry about dry turkey.
You can read everything you need to know about how to cook a turkey in an electric roaster oven in this post. First, I’ll answer some of the most common questions people have about electric roasters. Then I’ll give you the recipe and simple steps to cook the best Thanksgiving turkey ever!
Electric roasters make cooking turkey breast so easy. With the right techniques, you can get tender, flavorful meat and beautifully bronzed skin using this handy appliance.
Cooking a whole bone-in breast or two boneless breasts works perfectly in an electric roaster. We’ll explain everything needed for you to nail turkey breast every time without overcooking.
Benefits of Using an Electric Roaster
Electric roasters provide steady enveloping heat that cooks food evenly. The self-contained oval units are ideal when oven space is limited.
Some key advantages over oven cooking include
- Built-in cooking vessel means less dishes to wash
- Portable for easy countertop or tabletop use
- Large capacity to accommodate sizes from 4-20 lbs
- Lower chance of drying out since juices can’t evaporate
- Promotes all-over browning without rotation
You do lose the caramelization you get from the top oven burner. But electric roasters yield very moist, tender turkey breast with minimal effort.
Picking the Right Turkey Breast Size
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Whole bone-in breast (6-8 lbs) – Feeds 8+ people. Cooks in 2-3 hours.
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Two boneless breasts (3-4 lbs total) – Feeds 4-6. Cooks in 1-2 hours.
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Single boneless breast (1.5-2 lbs) – Feeds 2-3. Cooks in 45-90 mins.
Leave skin on for flavorful, crispy skin. Thaw in fridge 1 day before for food safety and even cooking.
Seasoning and Preparing the Turkey
Rinse the breast and pat dry with paper towels. Rub skin all over with a little oil or butter to encourage browning.
Season the underside first. Try poultry seasoning, herbs, salt, pepper, citrus zest, or dry rubs.
Carefully loosen the skin from the meat and rub seasoning directly onto the meat too. This adds lots of flavor.
Optional: Stuff aromatic ingredients like citrus, onions, herbs under the skin. Tuck wings backwards to hold shape.
Cooking Times and Temperatures
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325°F for whole bone-in breast – 10-15 minutes per lb until 165°F internally.
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325°F for boneless breasts – Cook 15-20 minutes per lb to 165°F.
Use a meat thermometer for perfectly cooked turkey without overdoing it. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing.
For crisper skin, start at a higher temp (350°F) for the first half of roasting then reduce to 325°F.
If skin browns too quickly, loosely tent foil over it while continuing to cook.
Roaster Cooking Tips
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Use a rack in bottom so air circulates under turkey.
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Add 1 cup liquid like broth, wine or water to prevent drippings from burning.
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For stuffed breast, use foil to tent over stuffing while turkey finishes cooking.
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Resist opening lid frequently to allow even cooking.
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Make sure breast fits comfortably without touching sides.
Serving and Leftovers
Once rested, carve turkey across the grain for tender slices. Serve with pan juices for extra moisture and flavor.
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and use within 3-4 days. Enjoy turkey on salads, sandwiches, pizza, pasta, and more!
With minimal prep, an electric roaster lets you easily achieve delicious turkey breast on your countertop. Just season, set, and roast. We hope these tips help you rock turkey breast in a roaster for your next meal!
Frequently Asked Questions
What size turkey breast fits best in an electric roaster?
For a 16-quart roaster, a 6-8 pound whole bone-in breast or 3-4 pounds of boneless breasts work great. Size down for smaller roasters.
Should I brine or marinate the turkey first?
Absolutely! Brining or marinating adds lots of flavor and moisture – highly recommended.
Do I need to baste or rotate the turkey?
Minimal maintenance is needed thanks to the circulating heat. Basting is optional for added flavor and color.
Is it safe to cook stuffing inside the breast cavity?
Yes, just loosely tent foil over the stuffing and roast until it reaches 165°F along with the turkey meat.
Can I use an electric roaster if my turkey breast is frozen?
No, only thawed turkey should be cooked to ensure food safety and proper cooking. Always thaw in the fridge 1-2 days before cooking.
How long does cooked turkey last in the refrigerator?
Cooked turkey leftovers stay fresh for 3-4 days in the fridge. Reheat fully to 165°F before serving again.
What’s The Best Electric Roaster Oven?
I can’t speak to the quality and performance of all electric roaster ovens, but I would certainly recommend the one I own! I have the Oster 22-Quart Roaster Oven, which I like because it’s large enough for a 22 lb turkey, has a removable pan and roasting rack for easy clean-up, and offers a wide range of cooking temperatures (150–450ºF).
There must be a lot of other great brands and models out there, though, so don’t be afraid to give one another try if it gets mostly good reviews!
How Big Of A Turkey Can I Cook In An Electric Roaster?
Thanks to their domed lids, some large electric roaster ovens can accommodate up to a 25 pound turkey. When you look for a roaster oven, the size may be given in quarts, but the product description will usually also say how big of a turkey it can fit. (As a point of reference, a 22-quart electric roaster oven will typically fit turkeys up to 28 pounds. ).