How to Roast a Turkey 8 Different Ways

Roasted turkey is a holiday staple and tradition, and over the centuries cooks have found creative ways to prepare it. The roasting process uses everything from a cold start to dry intense heat and everything in between; but there are eight main ways to cook a turkey that will result in a brown exterior and a juicy and delicious interior. To increase your roasting success, use one or a combination of the methods in this article to cook your holiday turkey.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Shallow baking pan
• Covered roasting pan
• Conventional oven
• Turkey
• Oven cooking bag
• Heavy duty aluminum foil
• Microwave
• Charcoal Grill

1. 
    
   Viking Professional Roasting Pan

   Bake Uncovered. This is a hassle-free way to roast a turkey. All you have to do is place the turkey, breast up on a rack in a shallow baking pan and roast in a preheated oven at 325 degrees. Baste the turkey every 15 to 20 minutes for a golden brown color and tasty results.

2. 
    
   Covered Roasting Pan

   Bake Covered. Roast the turkey, breast up in a covered roasting pan in a preheated oven at 325 degrees. The covered pan will reduce cooking time but produce uneven browning and a baked instead of roasted flavor.

3. 
    
   Turkey Cooked Breast Down

   Bake with High Heat for First 30 Minutes. This way of roasting a turkey produces moist white meat. Place the turkey breast down in a baking pan and roast in preheated 450 degree oven for 30 minutes. Then, turn the turkey breast up, reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees and continue roasting. You'll get an evenly browned and moist roasted turkey.

4. 
    
   Oven Cooking Bags

   Bake in an Oven Cooking Bag. Flour the cooking bag before inserting the turkey, breast up inside. Seal the bag and put in a shallow baking pan. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for preparing the cooking bag and place in a preheated 350-degree oven. Although this is one of the easiest ways to cook a turkey, the results are mixed. Because of the turkey cooks in its own juices, the flavor is more baked than roasted and the color is uneven.

5. 
    
   Foil-tented Turkey

   Bake in Aluminum Foil. Wash and season the turkey and stick a meat thermometer in the turkey breast. Place it breast up on heavy duty aluminum foil and wrap loosely making a small tent at the top. Roast in a shallow baking pan at 450 degrees, checking the internal temperature of the turkey at least twice. The result will be a moist turkey.

6. 
    
   Romertopf Clay Baker

   Roast in a Covered Clay Pot. Soak the clay pot in fresh water for 24 hours. Insert the seasoned turkey with meat thermometer, breast up in the covered clay pot and place in a cold oven. Cook at 450 degrees. Not only will the turkey be juicy and moist, but it will brown evenly as well.

7. Bake in a Microwave Oven. Talk about a fast way to cook a turkey, this method roasts a turkey 12 pounds and under in about half the time. It is not suitable for turkeys over 12 pounds. Place the turkey breast down in a microwave safe roasting pan. Cook on high approximately four minutes per pound; and then breast up on medium power (50%) for eight minutes per pound. Use browning sauce for an even and golden color.

8. Bake in a Covered Charcoal Grill. Prepare the charcoal grill making sure to space briquettes evenly in a drip pan. Heat the coals until the flame has died down and they are red to white hot. Place the seasoned turkey, breast up on a grill over the drip pan and cover with grill top. You will need to add additional briquettes and turn the turkey hourly until fully roasted. The result will be an evenly browned bird with a delectable smoked flavor.

Tips & Warnings

• Allow 15 minutes roasting time per pound for turkeys less than 16 pounds, and 12 minutes per pound for birds over 16 pounds.
• Baste every 15 to 20 minutes with pan drippings or other basting sauces to ensure a moist turkey.
• When using a meat thermometer, insert it in the center of the breast or thigh muscle without touching the bone.
• Cook stuffing separate from the turkey. This reduces roasting time and eliminates the possibility of dangerous bacteria forming, especially for cold-cooking methods or when grilling.

Resources

• Simple Solutions for Family & Home

[presnick]

on 11/29/2008 Great article! I've never cooked an unstuffed bird, so this was very helpful.

[presnick]

on 11/29/2008 Great article! I've never cooked an unstuffed bird, so this was very helpful.

[MotherDove]

on 11/19/2008 Wow, what a thorough run-down! Very informative, new information, straight and to the point. Thank you!

[lymanalo]

on 11/14/2008 Wow! The only way I know is roast the turkey in the oven and even that I mess up occasionally! Great resource here.

[Gertrud]

on 10/23/2008 You found ways to roast that turkey every way possible except putting a long stake through it and putting it on an open campfire. 5 stars! Thanks I may just try it in a clay pot I've never used before.