My turn to cook the turkey this year. Has anyone ever used an electric roaster to do theirs? I am trying to save space and time. Do i put water at the bottom of the roaster? Looking to cook 18 pounds for 20 people.
Want to thank all of you for your awesome responses!!!! I have never turned the bird upside down but plan on doing it this year. What great ideas i have to work with, Hope you all have an incredible Thanksgiving..
Go to the foodnetwork website or if you have time to watch the channel, they have shows on tips for Thanksgiving all week!
Put about an inch of water in the bottom of the roaster. Check it periodically and if it is dry, you'll want to put in a bit more water. There is nothing worse than dry turkey. Secondly, might want to think about doing it UPSIDE DOWN. We do this and then the last 30 minutes or so, turn it rightside up. This helps the juices dripping DOWN INTO THE turkey and not down into the pan or bones at the base of the turkey.
Lastly, I NEVER cook meat at more than 325 degrees. It helps it from drying out. The higher the temp, the greater the chance of dry meat. Cook a little longer at a lower temp. EVERYONE will enjoy it more.
I've used an electric roaster a few times to cook a turkey. Yes, I put a little water in the botton of the roaster, mainly to keep it from sticking before it's own juices start "flowing". I also put about a 1/2 to whole stick of butter/margerin in with mine... usually still in stick form between the breast and legs. If you are wanting extra juice, you can add a little more water... we are a big gravy family, so we also take all the extra (neck and all the goodies found in the bag in the turkey) and boil it on the stove in a pot of water to add extra flavor to the big batch of gravy. Most electric roasters will tell you what temp to cook at on the side & how many hours per pound to cook it. Also, to help it stay nice and juicy... remember to bast the turkey now and then, or you may end up with a dry bird.
Good luck & try to enjoy serving the your family. It can be fun & a memerable experiance.
Hi, L.! My mother uses a roaster, and I believe it is pretty much the same as using an oven. I have a couple turkey tips that make my turkey awesome every time:
~ Use a turkey bag! Put in about 1/2c. of flour and shake it around to coat the bag.
~ Put the turkey in the bag BREAST SIDE DOWN (then all the juices go to the breast) and add about an inch of water in the bag around the turkey.
~ Sprinkle seasoned salt and pepper on your turkey.
~ Toss in three chicken boullion cubes.
~ Tie the bag closed, cut about 3-4 slits in the bag by the tie to let out the steam so your bag won't explode.
~ Put it in the oven for about six or so hours on 325 degrees. YUMMY!!
You will have lots of broth to make gravy (let me know if you need gravy help), and it will be awesome! Be sure to let your turkey set in the pan on the counter for about a half hour after you take it out of the oven. That way, you don't lose all of the juice from the meat when you cut it. I just made one last week, and there were lots of smiles around my table!! Have a fabulous dinner and enjoy your family this Thanksgiving!
I've done it in the roaster before and may be using the roaster again this year. Treat it like an oven. You wouldn't pour water in the bottom of your oven to roast a turkey, would you? There will be an accumulation of drippings from the turkey. It's delicious. Look up Pamela Anderson's article on brining a turkey. That really helps it be moist an delicious.
Re the roaster: They say you can even put pans of things like casseroles, to bake in a roaster, but they need to be on the rack. I have not done that.
My mom and I use an electric roaster every year for our turkey (it frees the oven for other things). Once we stuff our large bird (usually 20 pounds or so), we wrap in foil and place in roaster - no water in it. Bakes just like in the oven. If your foil stays untorn, all your juices stay in the foil and clean up is a breeze. Oh, one more thing - breast side down - helps the juices run down and moisten.
I use an electric roaster, yes, you can put water in the bottom. You can get times per pound off the internet if it is not on the roaster.
The first couple of years I did mine it did not get done on time and I think it was because I "checked it" too often.
Put it in, set the temp and put the lid on. I put about a 1/2 stick of butter on top of the turkey to help it to brown and it also makes for a really rich gravy. Don't let it go dry. It will take about 5 or six hours to cook a big turkey, but you will never want to do it in the oven again.
Good Luck,
L.
L....I always use our electric roaster for the turkey in the garage as I cannot stand the smell of turkey cooking in the kitchen. You do not put water in the bottom. Just the turkey and I rub the turkey with oil or whatever you use. I do not stuff it. I make the stuffing and bake it in the oven. You can use the drippings for the gravy. You cook it on a low temp (325) for 4-6 hrs depending. It doesn't take as long if it is not stuffed. Good luck and Happy Thanksgiving!! M. B......I forgot to tell you...I put the turkey on a rack up off the bottom of the pan.
Hi, L.,
I use a turkey roaster every year, and it is the coolest thing ever. I don't put any water in the bottom, athough come to think of it, that isn't a bad idea. It may keep the skin from crisping, though. It is a great way to keep the oven free and I wouldn't do a holiday dinner without mine.
