Free up the oven for side dishes and make your roast turkey in a roaster oven! We give tips for the juiciest turkey recipe with fresh herb butter…and how to get that golden brown skin on your turkey. You may also love our slow cooker turkey breast.
Pros of Buying an Electric Roaster Oven
Frees up oven space for other delicious dishes
Turkey generally cooks faster than in a traditional oven
Low maintenance – set it and forget it (with a thermometer), no basting
Without a roaster, it’s harder to brown the turkey and get that classic, roast turkey color and crispy skin. You can use browning sauce for color or put the turkey in your regular oven for the last half hour of cooking for crispness. I personally don’t care too much about the color because I always cut up my turkey up before serving, and no one in my house eats the skin.
The oven is also pretty big and can take up kitchen space. I keep mine in the original cardboard box in the garage when I’m not using it.
How Much Does an Electric Roaster Cost?
Prices for electric roasters generally range from $30 to $130, depending on size and quality. Bird size maximums generally range from 16 to 28 pounds. I swear by my electric roaster, but there are a few pros and cons to consider:
How Long to Cook A Turkey
Cook the turkey at 400 degrees for 1 hour. After 1 hour, turn the temperature down to 350 degrees and cook until the internal temperature reaches 170 degrees.
No one in my family eats the skin of the turkey, but I know crispy skin is a must for some people. If you want a crispy skin, wait until your bird is about half an hour away from being done, remove the lid, carefully remove the roasting pan with the turkey, and place the pan in a 350 degree preheated oven. Bake without the lid until the desired internal temperature is reached.
FAQ
How long does it take a 20 lb turkey to cook in a roaster?
Simply turn the roaster down to 325 degrees thereafter. Roast for an additional 15 minutes per pound at 325 degrees. A 20-pound turkey will need about 4 ½ hours of roasting at the lower temperature.
How long does a 16 lb turkey take to cook in an electric roaster?
You’ll want to plan about 8-10 minutes per pound for an unstuffed bird at 325º Fahrenheit. You should always read your instruction manual because each roaster may be different.
How long do you cook a 12 lb turkey in an electric roaster?
I used my electric roaster for the turkeys. I have a large roaster and I was able to do two 12 lb. turkeys in it. Cooked them at 325 degrees for 3 1/2 hours and then checked them.
How long does it take to cook a turkey in a roaster?
Place turkey in the roaster, 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 until a thermometer reads 165 degrees in the thickest part of the turkey thigh.
