How to Cook a Turkey in an Electric Roaster — Foolproof Method
Free up the oven for side dishes and make your roast turkey in an electric 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.
Servings: 20
Calories: 470kcal
Ingredients
- 18 pound whole turkey
- 1/2 cup salted butter
- 2 tablespoons freshly snipped thyme, rosemary and sage
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the cavity:
- 1/4 cup salted butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Make the herb butter:
- Mix together 1/2 cup softened butter (1 stick) with the freshly snipped herbs. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours, but remove from the fridge 1 hour before using so that it is soft enough to spread. (Or you can microwave to soften the herb butter). 1/2 cup salted butter, 2 tablespoons freshly snipped thyme, rosemary and sage
Prepare the turkey:
- Set the roaster oven (with the lid on) to the highest temperature setting it will go.
- Remove the neck and giblets from the turkey cavity. (Throw them away or set them aside for gravy.) Take paper towels and dry off your turkey. 18 pound whole turkey
- Take your hand and loosen the skin over the turkey breast. Rub half of the butter underneath the skin of the breast. Rub the other half of the butter over the outside of the bird.
- Sprinkle the outside of the bird with salt and pepper. 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Put 1/4 cup butter in the cavity of the turkey along with 1 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. 1/4 cup salted butter, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper
- Place the turkey on the rack in the preheated roaster and cook at the highest temperature for 30 minutes.
- Without opening the lid, turn down the temperature to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and roast until the turkey tests done (at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit in the thickest part of the thigh).
- The exact timing will depend on whether the turkey is stuffed or unstuffed and how large the turkey is. Plan for about 8-10 minutes per pound for an unstuffed turkey.
Notes
Electric Roaster Turkey — Cook Time Notes
Plan on 8–10 minutes per pound for an unstuffed turkey at 325°F, after an initial 30-minute sear at your roaster's highest temperature.
For a stuffed turkey, add 30–45 minutes. Always verify with a meat thermometer. The thigh should reach 165°F minimum.
Herb butter shortcut: Swap fresh herbs for 1 teaspoon of poultry seasoning mixed into the softened butter. Works great.
Don't open the lid during cooking. You lose heat every time.
Let it rest at least 20 minutes before carving to seal in the juices.
Use the "warm" setting if the turkey finishes before you're ready to serve. It holds beautifully for up to an hour.
The calories shown are based on the recipe serving about 20 people. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information.**
| Turkey Size | Estimated Total Time |
|---|---|
| 12–14 lbs | ~2 hrs 15 min |
| 15–16 lbs | ~2 hrs 35 min |
| 17–18 lbs | ~2 hrs 55 min |
| 19–20 lbs | ~3 hrs 15 min |
| 21–22 lbs | ~3 hrs 30 min |
Nutrition
Calories: 470kcal | Protein: 62g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 226mg | Sodium: 559mg | Potassium: 649mg | Vitamin A: 375IU | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 2.5mg
