Save space in your regular oven and Cook a Turkey In a Roaster Oven instead! You will get a moist and juicy turkey with golden brown skin served with delicious homemade gravy!
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I have an electric Oster roaster oven, which I love to use to make roast turkey. The meat is always juicy and perfectly cooked.
Plus, it leaves my oven free to cook up holiday side dishes and desserts!
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Why You'll Love This Roasted Turkey Recipe
- This foolproof recipe is easy, even if you've never roasted a turkey before.
- The meat is always moist and juicy.
- Your oven is free to cook other dishes.
- You will love the delicious gravy.
- I find the turkey cooks quicker than in regular ovens.
Recipe Ingredients
Ingredient Notes
- Turkey. Use a fresh turkey, or fully defrost a frozen turkey. Remove the neck and giblets from inside the body cavity. Rinse inside and out and dry well with paper towels.
- Butter. Use softened butter or olive oil to rub on the outside of the turkey.
- Citrus. I used fresh lemon, limes, and an orange to stuff inside the turkey to give it more flavor.
- Seasoning. I seasoned the turkey with lemon-pepper seasoning, Garlic plus, oregano, and Roasted garlic and peppers seasoning. My Homemade Turkey Rub and Smoked Chicken Rub are also delicious.
See the printable recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
How To Cook A Turkey In A Roaster Oven
Step-By-Step Instructions
- Add lemon-pepper, Garlic Plus, oregano, Roasted garlic and peppers, and diced garlic cloves to a large bowl with boiling water. Mix to combine.
- Preheat the electric roaster oven to 450°F. Slice oranges, lemons, and limes in half and place them in the cavity of the turkey. If any pieces of citrus fruit do not fit in the cavity, squeeze the juice into the bowl with the spices and boiling water. Use the skin to tuck the legs in tight to try to keep the cavity closed as best as possible.
- Rub softened butter all over the entire turkey. Place the turkey in the electric roaster, making sure it does not touch the sides. Pour the seasoning mixture over the turkey. Turn down the temperature to 350°F and place the lid on the roaster.
- Let the turkey cook in the roaster until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F when measured with a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the breast.
- The cooking time will vary depending on the size of the turkey and whether it is stuffed or unstuffed. Cook the turkey for 13 minutes per pound, basting every hour with the juices in the roaster.
- Once the turkey is done, turn the roaster off and let it rest for 20 minutes before carving. Serve with your favorite side dishes and enjoy!
How To Make Turkey Gravy
- Use a turkey baster or a soup ladle to transfer 2-4 cups of liquid (or how much gravy you want) from the roaster into a medium saucepan.
- Heat over medium-high heat until nearly boiling. Combine 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water in a small bowl. Whisk until the mixture has thickened. Taste and add more salt and pepper if needed.
- For thicker gravy, add more cornstarch slurry a teaspoon at a time. Turn the heat down to low and keep warm until ready to serve.
What To Serve With Roast Turkey
Serve this roasted turkey with Twice-Baked Mashed Potaotes, Oven-Roasted Potatoes, Oven Roasted Buttercup Squash, and Broccoli Crunch Salad With Bacon.
Don't forget about Campbell's Green Bean Casserole, Homemade Stuffing, Whole30 Cranberry Sauce, and Ruth's Chris Sweet Potato Casserole.
And for dessert, serve Smoked Pumpkin Pie, Crustless Pumpkin Pie, or Pumpkin Pie With Graham Cracker Crust.
Variations
- Brine the turkey in my Fresh Herb Citrus Turkey Brine first for even more flavor.
- Stuff the bird with fresh rosemary or thyme.
- Add cayenne pepper or red chili flakes to the seasoning to make it spicier.
Storage Tips
Fridge: Leftover roast turkey can be kept in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Leftovers can be frozen for up to 3 months in an airtight container or freezer bag. If you have lots of leftovers from Thanksgiving, slice up the turkey and place it in a Ziploc bag, and pop it in the freezer for meal prep for school or work lunches.
Expert Tips
- 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.
Recipe FAQs
A 20-pound unstuffed turkey will cook in about 5 to 5-½ hours in a roaster oven. A 20-pound stuffed turkey will take about 6 hours, 40 minutes to 7 hours 20 minutes.
I prefer to cook a turkey in the roaster oven at 350 degrees.
I recommend basting the turkey every hour. Set a timer to help you remember.
If you don't have a roaster oven, cook your turkey in a regular oven. Follow all of the exact directions and place your turkey in a big roasting pan covered with a lid or aluminum foil. If the meat starts to look dry, turn down the temperature to 325 degrees Fahrenheit, and baste the turkey more often.
More Turkey Recipes
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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
- ¼ cup butter softened
- 1 large orange halved
- 1 large lemon halved
- 2 large limes halved
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 8 cups boiling water
- ⅛ cup Lemon-pepper seasoning
- ⅛ cup Garlic Plus seasoning
- ⅛ cup oregano
- ⅛ cup Roasted Garlic and Peppers seasoning
For The Turkey Gravy
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
- 2-4 cups turkey drippings
Instructions
- Combine lemon-pepper seasoning, Garlic Plus, oregano, Roasted Garlic and Pepper seasoning, garlic cloves, and boiling water in a large bowl.
- Put the lid on and preheat the electric roaster to 450°F. Place oranges, lemons, and limes in the turkey's cavity. For any citrus that doesn't fir, squeeze their juice into the seasoning mixture. Secure the turkey legs with the skin to keep the cavity closed.
- Generously rub the entire turkey with the softened butter. Place the turkey in the electric roaster, avoiding contact with the sides. Pour the seasoning mixture over the turkey. Reduce the roaster temperature to 350°F and cover with the lid.
- Roast until the turkey's internal temperature reaches 165°F in the breast's thickest part. This usually requires about 13 minutes per pound. Baste the turkey hourly with the pan juices. Once cooked, turn off the roaster and let the turkey rest for 20 minutes before carving.
How To Make Turkey Gravy
- Use a turkey baster or soup ladle to transfer 2-4 cups of the roaster's liquid into a medium saucepan. Heat the liquid on medium-high until it's near boiling.
- Mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water in a small bowl and whisk into the gravy until thickened. Season with salt and pepper to taste. For a thicker gravy, add more cornstarch mixture a teaspoon at a time. Cover and reduce heat to low to keep the gravy warm until serving.
- If you want a thicker gravy, add more cornstarch, a teaspoon at a time (mixed with an equal amount of cold water), until you reach the desired consistency. Turn the heat down 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.
Nutrition
The provided nutrition information is automatically calculated. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
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!