How to Cook a Moist and Delicious Turkey in a Roaster Oven
I am going to share with you how to cook a moist and delicious turkey in a roaster oven. Well, let me tell you, my secret! I cook it in a roaster oven!
Prep Time30 minutesmins
Cook Time3 hourshrs
Course: Main
Servings: 10people
Author: Melissa Jennings
Cost: $30
Equipment
1 electric roasting oven
1 kitchen twine
1 meat thermometer
Ingredients
1wholeturkey
2stickssalted butter
1mediumonion
5wholegarlic cloves
1bunchfresh or dry spices (sage, rosemary, thyme
1tsp salt
1tsppepper
Instructions
Prior to placing your turkey in the roaster oven to cook you should thoroughly defrost your turkey if you are preparing a frozen turkey.
When you are ready to prepare your turkey begin by pre-heating your roaster oven for 30minutes. Remove the metal rack before pre-heating. Follow your roaster oven directions for the correct temperature and suggested cook time. I suggest purchasing a meat thermometer before you cook your turkey as well. My roaster manual said 325 degrees so that is what we used.
While your roaster oven is pre-heating rinse your turkey and remove "innards" from the turkey cavity (dispose or keep using). Soften 2 sticks salted butter(or you can use ghee or olive oil). Dice up 1 onion in large chunks. Cutoff the tops off a handful of celery stalks and peel 5-6 garlic cloves. Place 1/2 stick of softened butter into the cavity of the turkey. Add salt and pepper and then add your onion/celery/garlic to the inside of the cavity. If necessary, use kitchen twine tie your legs so that they don't rest on the side of the roaster while cooking (they will over cook).
Next take the remaining butter (or you can use olive oil or ghee) and rub it both under the skin and on top of the skin of the turkey. The more the better! Finally salt and pepper the outside of the skin. You can also use additional seasonings like rosemary, sage, thyme, marjoram, or poultry seasoning. Secure you wings by tucking them under the bird and then place your turkey carefully into the roaster. Be careful the roaster will be hot. Place the turkey on the roasting rack and then lower the rack into the pan (your oven comes with a rack).
That is, it! Place the lid on the turkey and cook for 2 1/2 - 3 hours (depending on the weight) and DO NOT TAKE OFF THE LID while it cooks. It is tempting I know but don't do it! Simply allow the bird to cook and once it is done you will have a delicious and moist turkey! Be sure to check the internal temperature before serving. A whole turkey is safe when cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165 °F as measured with a food thermometer. Check the internal temperature in the innermost part of the thigh and wing and the thickest part of the breast.
Remove the turkey by lifting the rack and place it onto a large cookie sheet. For best quality, let the turkey stand(rest) for 20-30 minutes before carving to allow turkey to rest. Be sure to “tent” the turkey or lightly cover it with foil while it rests. At this point some people like to place the turkey breast in the oven under the broiler for a few minutes to crisp or brown the skin. I do this and it gives it a great flavor.
Remove the onions/celery/garlic from the cavity and carve. We hope you enjoy this method of cooking your turkey. I promise once you try it you will never go back to using the oven.
Notes
My Mom shared this secret with me and now I am sharing it with you. Not only does it free up oven space for all your side dishes, but it also cooks in less time, and you will have a moist and delicious turkey every time. Not only that but the skin does crisp up and is delicious!I want to share with you that I do NOT use a brine for my turkey. I find that by cooking my turkey in a roaster oven that I don't need too! I have cooked anywhere between a 15 lb. to a 22 lb. turkey in my roaster oven. The trick to cooking a large turkey in the roaster oven is to select one with a flat breastbone.