Cooking a turkey in a Nesco roaster is a fantastic way to prepare a moist, flavorful bird without heating up your whole kitchen. Whether it’s for Thanksgiving, a special family dinner, or any festive occasion, the Nesco roaster oven makes roasting a turkey easy and convenient. Here’s a friendly, step-by-step guide to help you cook the perfect turkey in your Nesco roaster.
Why Cook a Turkey in a Nesco Roaster?
The Nesco roaster oven is a versatile countertop appliance that can roast a turkey just as well as a traditional oven. It’s especially handy if you want to free up your oven for other dishes or if you have limited oven space. Plus, the roaster’s design helps keep the turkey moist and juicy while giving you a beautifully browned, crispy skin.
What You’ll Need
– One whole turkey (fresh or thawed, 14 to 22 pounds)
– 1/4 cup olive oil or melted butter/margarine
– 1 teaspoon seasoning salt
– 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
– 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
– Optional: 1 teaspoon browning sauce (like Kitchen Bouquet®) for a richer color
– Optional: Stuffing or aromatics like onion, apple, or celery for the cavity
Step-by-Step Instructions for Cooking Turkey in a Nesco Roaster
1. Preheat Your Nesco Roaster
Remove the insert pan and preheat your Nesco roaster oven to 450°F. This high temperature will help brown the turkey skin nicely.
2. Prepare the Turkey
– Do not wash the turkey to avoid spreading bacteria; just pat it dry with paper towels.
– Remove the neck and giblets from inside the cavity (you can cook these separately if you like).
– Season the turkey cavity with salt.
– Rub the entire bird with olive oil or melted butter. This helps the skin crisp up and adds flavor.
– Sprinkle seasoning salt, poultry seasoning, and pepper evenly over the turkey.
– If you want, stuff the turkey cavity with your favorite stuffing or aromatics like sliced onion, apple, or celery for extra flavor.
3. Place Turkey on the Rack
Put the turkey on the roasting rack inside the insert pan. The rack keeps the turkey elevated so heat circulates evenly around it, preventing soggy skin.
4. Start Roasting at High Heat
Place the pan with the turkey back into the roaster and cover with the lid. Roast at 450°F for 1 hour. This step browns the skin and locks in juices.
5. Lower the Temperature and Continue Roasting
After the first hour, reduce the temperature to 350°F. Continue roasting the turkey, covered, for the remaining time. The general rule is:
– Fresh turkey: 12 to 15 minutes per pound
– Frozen or stuffed turkey: 15 to 20 minutes per pound
Avoid lifting the lid during cooking to keep the heat consistent and prevent drying out the bird.
6. Baste the Turkey (Optional)
About halfway through roasting, use a baster to remove liquid and fat from the cavity and cookwell. Brush this liquid or additional melted butter over the turkey to keep it moist and flavorful. If the turkey isn’t browning enough, you can increase the temperature back to 400°F for the last part of cooking.
7. Check for Doneness
Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The turkey is done when it reaches 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh (avoiding the bone). This ensures the turkey is safe to eat and perfectly cooked.
8. Rest the Turkey
Once done, carefully remove the turkey using the rack handles (they will be hot!). Let the turkey rest for at least 10 minutes before carving. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, making your turkey moist and tender.
Tips for an Even Better Turkey in Your Nesco Roaster
– Inject Flavor: For extra juiciness, you can inject the turkey with a mixture of chicken broth, herbs, and a splash of white wine before roasting.
– Herb Rub: Mix fresh and dried herbs with olive oil to create a flavorful rub to brush all over the turkey skin before roasting.
– Add Aromatics: Place onion skins, apple slices, or celery inside the turkey cavity or neck cavity for subtle, natural flavors.
– Keep Warm: If your turkey finishes early, reduce the roaster temperature to 200°F to keep it warm until serving.
Why This Method Works
The Nesco roaster’s controlled environment and even heat distribution help cook the turkey thoroughly without drying it out. Starting at a high temperature crisps the skin, while lowering the heat allows the meat to cook slowly and retain moisture. Covering the roaster traps steam and heat, creating a perfect roasting environment that mimics a traditional oven but with less hassle.
Cooking a turkey in a Nesco roaster is straightforward and yields delicious results. With these easy steps, you’ll impress your guests with a juicy, golden-brown turkey every time!
Enjoy your perfectly roasted turkey!