Turkey is a staple for many holiday dinners and is low in fat and high in protein. Preparing a turkey in a roaster frees oven space, which gives you plenty of room in the oven to prepare other parts of the feast, like yams, stuffing and pie. In addition, roasting a turkey under a lid helps to retain natural moisture and to keep the turkey meat from drying out.
Step 1
Remove the bag from the inside of the turkey cavity that contains the giblets and turkey neck. Put it aside if you are using it for gravy or other purposes, or discard it.
Step 2
Rinse the turkey with cool water, inside and out, and then pat it dry with paper towels.
Step 3
Preheat the oven roaster to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 4
Place the turkey onto the rack in the roaster with the breast side up. Tuck the wing tips under the shoulders of the bird, and lower the rack into the oven roaster.
Step 5
Brush a light coating of melted butter or vegetable oil onto the skin of the entire turkey, using a basting brush. The butter or vegetable oil helps to brown the turkey skin and to seal in the juices.
Step 6
Insert an oven-safe thermometer into the deepest part of the turkey's breast, far from any bones and the cavity of the bird.
Step 7
Cook your turkey for an amount of time based on its weight. To get a general idea, multiple the number of pounds by 15 to get the number of minutes. Do not remove it from the roaster until its internal temperature has reached the safe minimum of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 8
Remove the turkey from the roaster, and let it sit for approximately 20 minutes to allow the juices to set before carving.
Tips and Warnings
- Purchase the turkey one to two days prior to cooking, and store it in the refrigerator. If the turkey is frozen, let sit in refrigeration below 40 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 24 hours for every 4 to 5 lbs., according to the USDA.
- Some turkeys come with a pop-up indicator already inserted, but the USDA recommends using a thermometer to double-check.
Things You'll Need
- Paper towels
- Butter or vegetable oil
- Basting brush
- Oven-safe thermometer
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