Description
Using a roaster oven is an excellent way to cook a turkey evenly while freeing up your traditional oven for side dishes. This method results in a tender, golden-brown turkey with minimal effort. Perfect for Thanksgiving, holidays, or family dinners, this recipe ensures a moist and flavorful bird every time.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 whole turkey (12–14 lbs), thawed
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika (for a golden finish)
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 lemon, quartered
- 1 onion, quartered
- 4 garlic cloves, peeled
- 1 cup chicken or turkey broth
Instructions
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Prepare the Turkey:
- Remove the turkey from its packaging and take out the giblets and neck from the cavity. Pat the turkey dry with paper towels.
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Season the Turkey:
- In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Brush the turkey all over with the mixture, including under the skin if possible, for extra flavor.
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Stuff the Turkey:
- Stuff the cavity with rosemary, thyme, lemon, onion, and garlic.
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Preheat the Roaster Oven:
- Preheat your roaster oven to 325°F (165°C). Add 1 cup of chicken or turkey broth to the roaster pan to keep the turkey moist during cooking.
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Roast the Turkey:
- Place the turkey on the rack inside the roaster oven, breast side up. Cover with the roaster lid and cook for approximately 15 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the breast and 175°F (79°C) in the thigh.
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Optional Browning:
- If the turkey is not golden brown, baste it with the drippings and increase the heat to 375°F (190°C) for the last 20-30 minutes.
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Rest and Carve:
- Remove the turkey from the roaster oven and let it rest for 20-30 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a moist turkey.
Notes
- If using a frozen turkey, ensure it’s fully thawed before cooking. Allow approximately 24 hours of thawing time in the fridge for every 4-5 lbs.
- Add additional broth during cooking if needed to prevent the drippings from burning.
- Use the drippings to make a rich, flavorful gravy.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3-4 hours (for a 12-14 lb turkey)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (6 oz turkey)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 110mg