Learn how to cook a turkey in a roaster oven for tender, juicy meat and golden brown skin while keeping your regular oven completely free for side dishes. This easy electric roaster turkey recipe includes cooking times, temperature tips, and plenty of flavorful drippings for homemade gravy.
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I have an electric Oster roaster oven that I love using for turkey, especially for holiday dinners. The turkey cooks evenly, stays juicy, and I can use my regular oven for stuffing, casseroles, rolls, and dessert.
When you've got a full holiday menu to juggle, that extra oven space is a lifesaver.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Roaster Oven Turkey
- Recipe Ingredients
- How to Cook a Turkey in a Roaster Oven
- How Long to Cook a Turkey in a Roaster Oven
- How Long Do You Cook a 20-Pound Turkey in an Electric Roaster?
- Do You Put Water in the Bottom of a Roaster for Turkey?
- How to Make Turkey Gravy from the Drippings
- What to Serve with Roaster Oven Turkey
- Variations
- Jeri's Expert Tips
- Storage Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Turkey Recipes
- Printable Recipe
- Comments
Why You'll Love This Roaster Oven Turkey
- Frees up your oven. Your regular oven stays available for all those Thanksgiving and Christmas side dishes.
- Tender and juicy. The covered roaster helps hold in heat and moisture while the turkey cooks.
- Beautifully browned. Butter and seasonings give the turkey plenty of color and flavor.
- Easy homemade gravy. You'll have flavorful drippings right in the bottom of the roaster.
- Great for a large turkey. An electric roaster makes cooking a big holiday turkey surprisingly easy.
Recipe Ingredients
- Turkey. Use a fresh or completely thawed whole turkey. Remove the neck and giblets and pat the turkey dry with paper towels.
- Butter. Softened butter adds flavor and helps the skin brown. I also rub some underneath the breast skin.
- Citrus. Orange, lemon, and lime add fresh flavor and aroma as the turkey roasts.
- Seasoning. I use lemon-pepper seasoning, Garlic Plus, oregano, Roasted Garlic and Peppers seasoning, and fresh garlic.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts and instructions.
How to Cook a Turkey in a Roaster Oven
- Make the Seasoning Mixture. Combine the lemon-pepper seasoning, Garlic Plus, oregano, Roasted Garlic and Peppers seasoning, minced garlic, and boiling water in a large bowl. Stir to combine.
- Preheat the Electric Roaster. Preheat the electric roaster oven with the lid on to 450°F. Pat the thawed turkey dry with paper towels. Place the orange, lemon, and lime halves inside the turkey cavity. If they don't all fit, squeeze the extra citrus juice into the seasoning mixture.
- Butter and Season the Turkey. Rub softened butter over the entire turkey. Carefully loosen the skin over the breast with your fingers and rub some of the butter directly onto the meat. Place the turkey breast side up on the roaster rack. Pour the seasoning mixture over the turkey. Reduce the roaster temperature to 350°F and put the lid on.
- Roast Until Fully Cooked. Cook the turkey with the lid on, removing it only when necessary. Cooking times vary depending on the size of your turkey and your particular electric roaster, so use the time as a guide rather than relying on the clock alone. The turkey is done when a meat thermometer reaches at least 165°F in the thickest part of the breast and the innermost portions of the thigh and wing.
- Rest Before Carving. Turn off the roaster and let the turkey rest for 20 minutes before carving. This gives the juices time to settle back into the meat.
How Long to Cook a Turkey in a Roaster Oven
Use the following cooking times as general estimates. Always follow your roaster's instructions and start checking the internal temperature early.
| Turkey Weight | Approximate Cooking Time |
| 8-12 pounds | 2¾-3 hours |
| 12-14 pounds | 3-3¾ hours |
| 14-18 pounds | 3¾-4¼ hours |
| 18-20 pounds | 4¼-4½ hours |
| 20-24 pounds | 4½-5 hours |
Always check your electric roaster manufacturer's instructions, since models can cook differently. Most importantly, use a meat thermometer rather than cooking strictly by time.
How Long Do You Cook a 20-Pound Turkey in an Electric Roaster?
Plan on approximately 4½ hours for an unstuffed 20-pound turkey, but start checking the internal temperature before then.
A whole turkey is safely cooked when it reaches at least 165°F in the thickest part of the breast and innermost portions of the thigh and wing.
Do You Put Water in the Bottom of a Roaster for Turkey?
For this recipe, yes, but it isn't just plain water. I combine boiling water with the garlic and seasonings and pour the mixture over the turkey. As the turkey cooks, it combines with the turkey juices and butter in the bottom of the roaster. Those flavorful drippings are then perfect for making gravy.
How to Make Turkey Gravy from the Drippings
Once the turkey is resting, turn those flavorful drippings into an easy gravy.
- Transfer 2-4 cups of turkey drippings from the roaster into a saucepan and heat over medium-high heat until nearly boiling.
- Whisk 2 tablespoons cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water until completely smooth. Slowly whisk the slurry into the hot drippings.
- Simmer until thickened. Taste before adding salt; the drippings already contain plenty of seasoning.
- If you'd like thicker gravy, add additional cornstarch slurry a teaspoon at a time.
What to Serve with Roaster Oven Turkey
For a classic holiday dinner, serve this turkey with Twice-Baked Mashed Potatoes, Oven-Roasted Potatoes, Creamy Dill Mashed Potatoes, Oven Roasted Buttercup Squash, Homemade Stuffing, Green Bean Casserole, 5-Ingredient Sweet Potato Casserole, and Whole30 Cranberry Sauce or Classic Cranberry Sauce.
For something fresh alongside all those cozy holiday dishes, an Apple Walnut Gorgonzola Salad or Broccoli Crunch Salad with Bacon would also pair nicely with roast turkey.
And don't forget dessert. Smoked Pumpkin Pie, Crustless Pumpkin Pie, or Pumpkin Pie With Graham Cracker Crust are all delicious ways to finish the meal.
Variations
- Brine the turkey first with my Fresh Herb Citrus Turkey Brine.
- Add fresh rosemary, thyme, or sage to the cavity with the citrus.
- Add cayenne or red pepper flakes to the seasoning mixture for a little heat.
- Use my Homemade Turkey Rub or Smoked Chicken Rub instead of the seasonings listed in the recipe.
Jeri's Expert Tips
- Dry the turkey first. Patting the skin dry helps it brown.
- Butter underneath the skin. Gently loosen the breast skin with your fingers and rub softened butter directly onto the meat.
- Don't keep lifting the lid. Every peek lets heat escape and can increase the cooking time.
- Trust your thermometer, not the clock. Turkey size and roaster models vary.
- Check more than the breast. Check the thickest part of the breast as well as the innermost thigh and wing.
- Let it rest. Give the turkey 20 minutes before carving.
Storage Tips
Refrigerator: Store leftover turkey in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Freezer: Freeze leftover turkey in an airtight freezer container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Use leftover turkey to make my Turkey and White Bean Soup.
Frequently Asked Questions
I cook this turkey at 350°F after preheating the electric roaster to 450°F. Check your roaster's manual for model-specific recommendations.
Not necessarily. Cooking time varies by turkey size and appliance. Plan for approximately the same general cooking window as conventional oven roasting, but always follow your roaster manufacturer's recommendations and use a meat thermometer to determine doneness.
You can, but I prefer cooking the stuffing separately because it's easier to ensure everything cooks evenly. If you do stuff the turkey, the center of the stuffing must also reach 165°F.
Some oven cooking bags can be used in an electric roaster as long as the bag does not touch the sides, bottom, or lid. Follow both your roaster manufacturer's instructions and the directions provided with the cooking bag.
No. Thaw the turkey completely before cooking it in the electric roaster. This helps it cook safely and evenly.
Printable Recipe
How to Cook a Turkey in a Roaster Oven
Ingredients
For the Roast Turkey
- 15-17 pound turkey thawed if frozen (neck and giblets removed)
- ⅛ cup lemon-pepper seasoning
- ⅛ cup Garlic Plus seasoning
- ⅛ cup dried oregano
- ⅛ cup Roasted Garlic and Peppers seasoning
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 8 cups boiling water
- 1 large orange halved
- 1 large lemon halved
- 2 large limes halved
- ¼ cup butter softened
For the Turkey Gravy
- 2-4 cups turkey drippings
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
Instructions
How to Roast the Turkey
- Make the seasoning mixture: In a large bowl, combine ⅛ cup Lemon-pepper seasoning, ⅛ cup Garlic Plus seasoning, ⅛ cup oregano, ⅛ cup Roasted Garlic and Peppers seasoning, 3 cloves garlic, and 8 cups boiling water. Stir well.
- Preheat and prep the turkey: Preheat your electric roaster oven with the lid on to 450°F. Place 1 large orange, 1 large lemon, and 2 large lime halves inside the turkey cavity. If some citrus doesn't fit, squeeze the juice into the seasoning bowl. Secure the turkey legs with skin to help close the cavity.
- Butter and season: Using a pastry brush or your fingers, rub ¼ cup of softened butter all over the turkey. Gently lift up the skin on the breast and rub butter directly underneath. Place the turkey breast side up on the roaster rack (so it doesn't sit in the juices). Carefully pour the seasoning mixture over the top.
- Roast the turkey: Reduce the temperature to 350°F and cover with the lid. Roast until the internal temperature in the thickest part of the breast reaches 165°F. Cook for about 13 minutes per pound (roughly 3½ to 4 hrs for a 15 to 17 lb turkey). Baste every hour with the pan drippings.
- Rest and carve: Turn off the roaster and let the turkey rest for 20 minutes before carving.
How to Make Turkey Gravy in 5 Minutes
- Use a turkey baster or soup ladle to transfer 2-4 cups of turkey drippings from the roaster into a medium saucepan. Heat the liquid on medium-high until it's nearly boiling.
- In a small bowl, whisk 2 tablespoons cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water until smooth, then whisk into the pan. Stir until thickened, then season with salt and pepper to taste. For thicker gravy, add more cornstarch slurry 1 teaspoon at a time.
- Reduce the heat to low and keep warm until ready to serve.
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Notes
- Gently loosen the skin from the meat with your fingers and rub butter directly on the meat.
- Only remove the lid to baste the turkey.
- Baste the turkey every hour.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature.
- Store leftover turkey in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Use leftover turkey to make my Turkey and White Bean Soup.
Nutrition
The provided nutrition information is automatically calculated. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
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Rod & Mary says
great tasting Turkey, very moist.
Jeri says
I'm so glad you liked it! Thanks for taking the time to comment! 🙂
Agnieszka says
Best way to cook turkey for Thanksgiving. Thanks so much for such a comprehensive tutorial!
Oscar says
This turkey looks so good, I want to get a roaster oven just to make this. Can't wait to try it.
Jeri says
It is so tender and moist!
Addie says
This recipe makes the most flavorful turkey! Yummy!
Jeri says
Thanks! It is so tasty!
Audrey says
These are great instructions for anyone who is nervous about making a turkey!
Jeri says
Thanks, Audrey!
Kayla DiMaggio says
Love this recipe! I just bought a roaster oven this year for this very reason! We are hosting Thanksgiving for the first time this year and I am trying to maximize space. I didn't have a recipe yet so this is amazing!
Jeri says
That's awesome, Kayla! I love my roaster oven for making turkey! You will love it!