How To Cook A Turkey (in a convection oven) Recipe (2024)

We'll show you how easy it is to cook a turkey in a convection oven instead of using a conventional oven or regular oven. Cooking a turkey is not an intimidating and it takes less time than you might thing. This turkey turns out so juicy and tender.

How To Cook A Turkey (in a convection oven) Recipe (1)

Cooking a turkey in a convection oven is will give you a perfectly cooked Thanksgiving Turkey. It really is just as easy as using a standard oven to create the perfect turkey for your holiday meal.

I am absolutely in love with our Dacor Classic Epicure Double Wall Ovens. They make any turkey I cook come out perfectly seared on the outside and juicy on the inside every time. Choose the size of your turkey based on how large your oven is so there are no issues closing the oven door. The size of the turkey is important and should be the first thing you consider.

A whole turkey can take a long time to reach the correct internal temperature, and you will want to make sure you have the correct deep roasting pan. This holiday season make sure that you have the right turkey, baking pan, and the best fresh herbs you can find.

Our entire Thanksgiving Menu:

If you are in charge of planning Thanksgiving dinner, here are our favorite go-to Thanksgiving recipes:

  • Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
  • 30 Minute Dinner Rolls
  • Grandma’s Thanksgiving Stuffing
  • Green Bean Casserole
  • Slow Cooker Creamy Mashed Potatoes
  • How To Make Turkey Gravy From Scratch
  • Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese
  • Strawberry Jello Fluff Salad
  • Easy Sweet Cornbread
  • Simple Pumpkin Pie
  • Pumpkin Dump Cake

If you have leftover turkey, be sure to try our Turkey Cranberry Wraps and Turkey Corn Chowder!

What is the best way to thaw a frozen turkey?

Thaw your turkey in the refrigerator. Frozen turkeys prevent bacteria from growing, but does not kill them. Never defrost a turkey by placing it on the counter or in a warm place.

It can cause foodborne illness. A thawed turkey should be out of the Temperature Danger Zone- 40° -140° as a good rule of thumb. This general rule is an easy way to keep your turkey thawing safely.

There are three ways to safely defrost a turkey:

1. Under refrigeration. This requires adequate refrigerator space and advanced planning and is the preferred method for defrosting a turkey. The turkey should be placed on the lowest possible shelf to prevent any juices from spilling into other foods. A high-rimmed pan ( 2-3?) is required to catch any juices. Thaw breast side up. Defrost times will depend on the size of the bird. On average, it will take one day per 4 pounds for the bird to be completely defrosted. Plan on defrosting and cooking within a two day time period.

2. Using a Large Sink and Running Water. The turkey may be defrosted by placing it in a sink of running water or in a sink of water that will be changed every half hour. Ample room is needed for loose particles and overflow. Special care must be taken in cleaning and sanitizing every tool used in preparation of the turkey. Hot water and a bleach- based cleanser should be used to sanitize the sink and utensils used.

3. Using Pure ConvectionTM. You may use Pure ConvectionTM at 150° to defrost a partially frozen turkey for same- day cooking. Partially frozen means that the skin, legs and wings are defrosted and can move freely, but there are still some ice crystals and it is still hard inside of the turkey’s cavity. Place turkey on an oven roasting pan with a v-shaped rack. It will take approximately 8-11 minutes per pound to defrost the turkey. This is not recommended with frozen solid turkeys as it will remain in the Temperature Danger Zone for too long.

How to cook a Turkey questions:

Is basting the turkey necessary while cooking?
No, you do not need to baste. Convection ovens will sear the turkey very quickly, locking No, you do not need to baste. Convection cooking will sear the turkey very quickly, locking in the juices. This is helpful if you are using a shallow roasting pan, as the juices will stay contained. The way the turkey cooks will come down to the cook time.

What is Carryover Cooking and do I need to do this?
Carryover Cooking is a term to describe the additional cooking a food goes through after it is pulled out of the oven. The turkey will continue to cook approximately 10° more after it is pulled out of the oven. You’ll want to wait to carve into the bird until the turkey is allowed to rest for 10-15 minutes. If you do it too early it will result in a loss of juices.

Can I cover my turkey with aluminum foil?
When cooking in convection, it is best to leave the turkey uncovered so that it benefits from the convection sear. However, if the wings, legs, and top of the turkey begin to brown too much, you certainly can use foil to cover these areas.

The entire turkey skin should roast evenly and prove to be a delicious meal.

What if my turkey seems to be cooking too quickly and we’re not eating for a few hours?
You can lower the oven temperature by about 50 degrees and cover the turkey with foil. This will slow down the cooking process. You can lower the oven temperature by about 50 degrees and cover the turkey with foil.

This will slow down the cooking process and keep the center of the stuffing warm. When you’re ready to eat you can check the whole bird with an oven-safe meat thermometer to make sure it is cooked and ready to eat.

Looking for more Thanksgiving side dishes?

  • Garlic Dinner Rolls
  • Layered Green Salad
  • Perfect Cranberry Sauce
  • Cheesy Ranch Potatoes
  • Caramel Pecan Turtle Pumpkin Pie
  • Turkey Gravy Made From Scratch

Love cooking as much as we do? Join our FREE private Facebook Group: Six Sisters’ Dinner Club!

Related Recipe: Is this your first time cooking a turkey? This turkey recipe gives you step by step instructions that are EASY AND SIMPLE. The BEST Thanksgiving Turkey (How to Cook a Turkey)

How To Cook A Turkey (in a convection oven) Recipe (2)

Serves: 10

How to Cook a Turkey Recipe (in a convection oven)

We'll show you how easy it is to cook a turkey in a convection oven. Cooking a turkey is not an intimidating as you might think. This turkey turns our so juicy and tender.

PrintPin

Ingredients

  • 10 pound turkey
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • fresh rosemary to taste
  • fresh thyme to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F on the convection setting.

  • Wash the turkey inside and out and pat dry with paper towels.

  • Place turkey on roasting pan and brush with olive oil.

  • Cut and loosen the skin from the turkey breast and rub rosemary and thyme onto the turkey.

  • Place the turkey in the lowest rack of the oven and cook for 2-2 1/2 hours, or until the internal temperature of the turkey thigh reaches 180 degrees F.

Video

Notes

There are 3 ways to safely defrost a Turkey. See above post for information.

Nutrition

Calories: 548 kcal · Protein: 70 g · Fat: 29 g · Saturated Fat: 14 g · Cholesterol: 232 mg · Sodium: 361 mg · Potassium: 721 mg · Sugar: 1 g · Vitamin A: 180 IU · Calcium: 35 mg · Iron: 3 mg

Equipment

  • roasting pan

Recipe Details

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

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  1. Pam says:

    Watched the video of getting a turkey ready for the convection oven and couldn't believe she never washed her hands before touching pan handles, oven door and counter. Safety first.

  2. Charlotte says:

    Haven't watch the video. Really??? 4 hours to cook turkey?? thats very long. Thanks for the recipe :)

  3. Nick says:

    I would not recommend cooking a turkey to 180 degrees. Take turkey out of oven at 160 and allow for carryover cooking to reach 165

  4. Dee says:

    Every source I have read says to cook breast to 180º and thigh to 170º. Be sure you are not undercooking your bird.

  5. Patricia Witter says:

    How long do I roast 2 11lb turkey breasts in a convection oven.

  6. Cyd says:

    I found this link that should help you with your cooking time on 2 turkey breasts in a convection oven. https://www.leaf.tv/articles/convection-oven-cooking-times-for-a-turkey-breast/

  7. Nancy Attard says:

    I have 2 settings on my oven one convection bake and the other convection roast. I prefer to roast my turkey, so what temp and for how long for a 9-kilo bird?

  8. Cyd says:

    It should tell you on the back of your bird how long to cook it for the actual weight.

  9. Valle says:

    Thanks, but boy that turkey must be tasteless! No mention of any seasoning such as salt and pepper before roasting. If turkey was brined before cooking there would be no need, but there is no mention of this in the video.

  10. Jen says:

    I was going to say the same thing! I have looked at several article and they all said 165 degrees.

  11. Jen says:

    https://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/charts/mintemp.html

  12. Tim Syrek says:

    At 180 it will be 190 after carryover it will also be very very tough and dry. You need to pull it out at 160

  13. Karen says:

    My oven has regular Bake and a separate Convection Bake setting. When I put in the temp for Convection Bake it automatically sets it to 25* lower than what I setting it at. Sooooo.... Should the Convection setting for this recipe really be 350* ? As in I would need to set my oven to 375* to get it at 350*.

How To Cook A Turkey (in a convection oven) Recipe (3)

About The Author:

Momma Cyd

Cyd is the mom of the six sisters and joined the team early on to help out. She shares the best of the best recipes from her kitchen.

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