Slow-roasted turkey is marvelously tender, with meat that literally falls off the bone and golden, rich golden-brown skin. It's an easy, hands-off way to prepare turkey, and yields consistently excellent results. Jump to Recipe |
Why Cook a Turkey Overnight? | Timing | Safety | Tips | Variations To slow roast a turkey, you'll bake in a very slow oven over a period of several hours - typically 8 to 12, depending on the size of the bird. And this long, slow process results in
impossibly tender meat that literally falls off the bone, and a golden, deep flavor, and crisp brown skin. Even better, it's a fairly hands-off approach and that means you have more time to spend with friends and family. And you'll have plenty of time to whip up sides, put the final touches on dessert and set the table. Slow-roasting is a simple, easy process that requires little active time in the kitchen. However, because it takes so long for
the turkey to cook through, you'll need to carefully plan when you first put it in the oven. Allow about 12 hours total. That means if you plan to serve your meal at lunch time, you'll want to toss it in the oven around midnight. Or, if you plan to serve it in the evening, you'll need to wake early to get the bird in the oven. Slow roasting poultry was once common practice. And it was a popular way to cook turkey until recently. Many earlier generations
grew up roasting their turkeys overnight in the oven. Most bacteria on your bird will rest on its surface areas, not deep in the meat. Remember the "danger zone" for food-borne illness is 41 to 130 F. So make sure that your turkey comes to 135 F within about 4 hours and 165 F before you serve. And your turkey should be safe to eat. In 2008 researches found that slow-roasted birds were safe to eat (1). To ensure your bird stays safely within those temperature windows, choosing small
to medium birds works best. I recommend using a higher temperature and different techniques for very large birds. This maple-brined turkey recipe works well. Slow-roasted Turkey RecipeSlathered with butter, dressed with thyme and stuffed with onions and lemons, this slow-roasted turkey is rich with flavor, succulent and wonderfully easy to make. Slow roasting is a long process with a rewarding result, make sure to plan in advance. Prep Time10 mins Cook Time8 hrs Total Time8 hrs 10 mins Servings: 8 servings Print Save Recipe
VariationsOnce you've made the basic recipe, you can vary some of the ingredients and flavors. As long as you keep to the basic method and technique, you'll have a delicious bird. Try a spice rub instead of herb butter. While the herb butter in this recipe's delicious, you can whisk spices together with olive oil and brush use that instead. Try stuffing the turkey with oranges and spices instead of lemons and onions. Citrus and onions keep the bird moist as it cooks, and orange make a great swap for lemons. Common QuestionsHow long do I cook a turkey at 250 F? A turkey needs to cook about 30 minutes per pound at 250 F, and should reach a safe internal temperature of 165 F before serving. I recommend slow-roasting only small to medium birds. My turkey is done earlier than I expected? Turkey is safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 F; however, slow-roasted birds may reach internal temperatures as high as 180 F. When cooking turkey past the official safe-to-eat temperature of 165 F, keep in mind the meat may seize and then become tender. The skin of the turkey is getting really dark. What do I do? If you notice that your turkey is browning too quickly, you can tent the bird loosely with foil and continue cooking it until it reaches a safe temperature. Can I stuff the bird? While researchers found that slow-roasted birds that were stuffed were safe (1), I recommend cooking your stuffing separately from the turkey as a precautionary measure when slow-roasting. Can I brine (or dry brine) the turkey first? Yes. You can slow-roast a brined turkey, and the technique remains the same. References
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Reader InteractionsWhat is the lowest temperature to cook a turkey?It is not safe to cook any meat or poultry in an oven set lower than 325 °F. At lower temperatures, meat stays in the Danger Zone (between 40 °F and 140°F for too long.
Can I cook my turkey on low overnight?You can slow roast a turkey overnight and it will be the juiciest and most tender turkey you have ever eaten! Cooking a turkey low and slow allows the meat to cook thoroughly without driving off moisture. Resulting in a really juicy turkey!
How long does it take to cook a turkey at 250 degrees?Common Questions. How long do I cook a turkey at 250 F? A turkey needs to cook about 30 minutes per pound at 250 F, and should reach a safe internal temperature of 165 F before serving. I recommend slow-roasting only small to medium birds.
How long does a 14 lb turkey take to cook at 200 degrees?Lower the heat to 200 degrees F. Cook the turkey for 40-50 minutes per pound (9-11 hours for a 14 pound turkey) or until the turkey registers 160 degrees F in the thickest part of the breast.
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