How to Cook Turkey Overnight

Turkeys lend themselves to cooking overnight.

There are many different ways to cook a turkey. One method is to put your turkey on when you go to bed so that it will be fully cooked by morning. This isn't as as hard or complicated as it sounds.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Turkey
• Roasting pan
• Oven
• Cooking thermometer
• Your favorite spices

1. Defrost your turkey. The best way to defrost a turkey is to leave it in your refrigerator for two days. If you are in a hurry, leave the turkey fully submersed in a pot of cold water for a few hours.

2. Take all the innards out of the turkey. Reach your hand inside the turkey and pull out the bag of innards, and the neck.

3. Place your turkey in the roasting pan and add your favorite spices. If you are not sure what spices to add here is a suggestion: Cover your turkey with a coating of vegetable oil and sprinkle on salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Then add a little water to the bottom of the pan.

4. Cover your turkey with your roasting pan lid or aluminum foil. Place your turkey in the oven before bedtime and cook at 195 to 200 degrees. At this temperature you will need to cook the turkey for 12 to 13 hours. If you go to bed at 8 p.m., your turkey should be done by 8 to 9 a.m.

5. Check your turkey's internal temperature. The turkey's breast should have a reading of 165 degrees or higher. If it is less than that than the turkey is not done and needs to go back in the oven.

Tips & Warnings

• Many different combinations of spices can be used to baste the turkey. Call your dinner guests and ask them what their favorite is. That's one way to be sure to please your guests.

• The USDA does not recommend cooking turkeys at any oven temperature below 325 degrees. Cooking a turkey overnight at a lower temperature can allow bacteria to grow. Use caution when cooking a turkey overnight.

References

• Butterball: Turkey Cooking Tips