what size roasting pan for turkey

A 15-pound turkey barely fit, we had to shove the wings in so they wouldn’t hang over the sides. We looked at the color of the chicken skin after searing and the color of the vegetables after roasting. But this roaster’s thicker metal walls and slightly larger body make it a half pound heavier than our top pick when empty. In fact, the thicker walls just make this 8¾-pound roaster the heaviest of all our picks. Proper heat circulation in the pan ensures your roast is evenly browned and cooked throughout. Log In Sign Up. A good roasting pan should be large enough to accommodate a big Thanksgiving turkey and straddle two burners for stovetop cooking, but not so big that it can’t fit in a standard-size home oven. Plus, after a chat with customer service, we learned that the Le Creuset pan has been discontinued. Pour off any juices remaining in the pan. Turn the wings back to hold the neck skin in place. The flat bottom also made scraping up fond and whisking gravy easy, whereas other pans we tested had a raised middle or ridges that made sauce making difficult. Both of the chefs that we spoke with said that though oval pans are attractive, the rectangular shape is more practical because it gives you more cooking area. KitchenAid’s warranty covers the pan against manufacturer defects under normal household use. The included roasting rack clips onto the lip to elevate your roast to the top-third of the 5¼-inch high walls for better all-over browning. For example, the All-Clad roaster set with turkey lifters and a roasting rack. Minimum Roasting Pan Size. New to Chowhound? A good, fully clad tri-ply roaster that can perform well over direct heat and in the oven is surprisingly affordable and useful year-round. Pans that should be big enough to accommodate a large turkey or roast include: It’s difficult to monitor fond (delicious caramelized brown bits in the bottom of the pan) color and development against dark cookware, and nonstick coating will break down over time. If you have a particularly stubborn stain, Bar Keepers Friend and a Scotch Brite Heavy Duty scrub sponge will do the trick. This roaster was a bit small to completely straddle two burners, but that wasn’t at all a problem because it still deglazed evenly. Regardless of whether you use a roasting pan or baking sheet, for best air-circulation, a roasting rack is key. All-Clad showed the best heat distribution on the stovetop, searing chicken pieces consistently across the pan. The slightly larger, thicker, and heavier KitchenAid roaster also has a bent lip to make pouring off pan juices easier—a feature the Cuisinart lacks. But that’s not an issue if you don’t plan to use this pan on the stovetop very often. Levon Wallace, executive chef at Grey and Dudley, telephone interview, October 2, 2013, Nick Anderer, Executive Chef at Maialino, New York City, in-person interview, September 28, 2013, Judy Haubert, food stylist, email interview, October 15, 2013, Jane Lear, former senior editor at Gourmet Magazine and based in New York City, email interview, October 2, 2013, Martha Holmberg, Picking a Roasting Pan to Use All Year, Fine Cooking, Garth Clingingsmith, Test Drive: Roasting Pans, Fine Cooking, Jane Lear, Choosing the Best Roasting Pan, Kitchen Daily. However, we did discover some slight discoloration from acid after roasting five halved lemons with whole chickens in our pan. The best roasting pans are great for stovetop and oven cooking, versatile for year-round use, and sturdy enough to hold the bulkiest roasts. The interior heat circulation in the KitchenAid roaster is similar to that of the Cuisinart, yielding a mostly golden turkey with small spots of pale skin under the wings. A good roaster is very handy year-round for more than just meat. And the depth of the side walls is an important factor as well. Got a bumper crop of homegrown tomatoes? Our roaster goes up to 450 degrees F, but you can set yours for higher if it goes higher. The straight lip causes slight dribbling when pouring pan juices. 225. This model has a straight-cut edge, not a bent lip like our runner-up and upgrade picks. What temperature to roast a turkey? A roaster’s sides should be tall enough to keep accumulated juices in the pan when you’re moving it in and out of the oven, but not so high that radiant heat can’t reach the bottom. Both chefs we interviewed agreed that a V rack is limiting in its size and shape because it’s made to hold the roast and nothing else. All-Clad’s flared sides help circulate air efficiently, which allows more radiant heat to reach the parts of your roast deepest inside the walls of the pan. In our tests, the All-Clad roasted turkey was the only one with an all-over deep golden color that extended down around the wings. What Size Turkey to Buy To ensure ample servings for Thanksgiving dinner as well as generous leftovers, allow for 1 to 1 1/4 lb. As with the Demeyere pan, we didn’t test the Mauviel M’collection 16-inch roasting pan mostly because of its steep V-shaped rack. Also, it has a raised middle that made gravy-making very difficult. In general, roasters with inside dimensions of approximately 16 x 13 inches will hold a 25 lbs. We also spoke with experts in the culinary field: Roasting pans aren’t just for preparing your Thanksgiving turkey and the occasional holiday prime rib. This shape not only takes up more of the pan’s cooking area, but also better accommodates odd-shaped roasts or a batch of cornish game hens. If not, keep roasting. The Granite Ware roaster costs a third of the price of the Cuisinart for a third of the capabilities—only a good buy if you’re just roasting turkey and don’t plan on using it for other things. With its sturdy tri-ply construction, this roaster cooks more evenly than other similarly priced pans. This method still requires some elbow grease to lift tough stains, but it works. And even though we don’t place a ton of importance on roasting racks, KitchenAid’s flatter V-rack has more surface area to accommodate everything from a large turkey to odd-shaped shoulder roasts. It can make extra-large batches of lasagna or a casserole to feed a crowd, and it’s roomy enough to accommodate a one-pan meal for quick weeknight dinners. It’s sturdy and can take a beating. Don’t add water to the pan. SALT™ Nonstick 17-Inch x 14.25-Inch Carbon Steel Roaster with U-Rack. We’ve roasted over 400 pounds of turkey and chicken and 30 pounds of veggies in 14 pans over the past four years, and the Cuisinart 16″ Roasting Pan With Rack (MCP117-16BR) is still our favorite roasting pan. Here’s a step-by-step tutorial for cleaning your pan. Some pans have a trough around the inside perimeter that makes it difficult to mix a smooth gravy or get even oil coverage when searing because liquids run to the sides of the pan. The largest baking pan that fits in my 27 inch oven is 20 inches wide interiorly. But we’re suckers for a flat rack, and this pan comes with a good one that sits pretty high. Each of the 12 pans we tested roasted turkey evenly and developed a deep golden fond, regardless of the presence of a roasting rack. It’s big and sturdy enough to accommodate a 20-pound turkey, a large roast, two whole chickens, or a complete one-pan meal. Triple-riveted handles make lifting and turning easy. The roasting rack was small for the pan and had a tendency to slide around. It’s still the second best roasting pan to sear on the stovetop (our upgrade pick, the All-Clad, being the best). Granite Ware 19-inch Covered Oval Roaster (F0510) is a good pick for those who only want something to use for roasting the annual turkey. If you roast chicken instead of turkey, this might be the right pan for you. While you are preparing the turkey, set the roaster to the highest temperature it will go. I’ve covered cookware for Wirecutter for four years. Because they’re usually used for large cuts of meat like a turkey, the most common size is a 16-inch pan, which can be large and heavy. We were excited to see how Calphalon’s AccuCore Stainless Steel Roaster with Rack would stand up to the All-Clad Flared Roaster, and we have to say it was underwhelming. Heat circulation The most common is a V-shaped rack that elevates the roast 1 to 2 inches off the bottom of the pan. Gearjib.com All Rights Reserved. The best roasting pan substitutes are a minimum of 9-by-13 inches. Levon Wallace, executive chef at Nashville’s Grey and Dudley, said it best: “You want a little more space for air-flow, and when you get those high-wall roasting pans, you end up with not so much browning on the sides, which isn’t ideal.”. If you’re a frequent roaster, or if you don’t mind paying more for the finest quality, the flared All-Clad is hard to beat. Best classic roaster. This tri-ply roasting pan is a comparably priced option if our top pick is unavailable. The roasting pan comes complete with a flat rack which lets you prop up everything from rib roasts, whole fish, pork shoulder and more. Piecing together your own cookware set gives you the freedom to customize your collection and allows you to buy only what you need. The Cuisinart 16″ Roasting Pan With Rack (MCP117-16BR) is a durable, fully clad tri-ply roasting pan on a par with pans that cost nearly twice as much. Put the bird in the insert pan on top of the rack. The KitchenAid Tri-ply Stainless Steel Roaster is a sturdy, fully clad tri-ply roaster that performed on a par with our top pick, but costs twice as much. *At the time of publishing, the price was $35. Roast … turkey. And even though Mauviel’s narrower handles and spacious flat cooking surface are what we look for in a roaster, you can find those same features in our top pick, runner-up, and also-great pick for $45 to $100 less. Though the turkey results were on a par with those of the other pans, the stovetop performance was lacking. And when a custard or cheesecake recipe calls for baking in a water bath, a roasting pan with high sides and sturdy handles makes the process easier. Roasting pans are usually divided into 3 sizes (small, medium and large) A small-sized roasting pan can hold up to 12-pound turkey. … It came out golden brown all over, except the bottom, which stuck to the pan and shredded when we lifted it out (but that’s not really a huge deal). )Made in USA ! But even though you get two cooking vessels in one, the $150 to $200 price tag doesn’t justify the cramped surface area that could barely contain a 12-pound turkey. But given that this roaster is an outstanding performer and an excellent value, this tiny flaw is not a dealbreaker. Even with its weaknesses, we still think you’re better off using this durable and economical roaster than a flimsy supermarket foil pan. Rigid, upright stainless steel handles that are riveted into the sides are best, and they should be big enough to allow a good grip with bulky oven mitts on. If you like one-pan meals or weekly Sunday roasts, this pan will serve you well. When it came time to make gravy on the stovetop, however, we had to tilt and maneuver the Anolon a bit to whisk a consistent roux and smooth gravy, because liquids ran off the raised center. A fully clad pan with some weight to it is sturdier and more consistent on the stovetop. Another feature we like about the Cuisinart roasting pan are its big, sturdy, riveted handles that are easy to grip with potholders or dish towels. Even though it’s the thickest gauge of our roasting pan picks (3 millimeters, compared with Cuisinart’s 2.4 millimeters and All-Clad’s 2.6 millimeters), it didn’t distribute heat better than our budget-friendly top pick. We just wouldn’t use this thin steel roaster on the stovetop to make gravy and sear meat. It should also have raised sides that are tall enough to catch all of the juices that drip from the meat as it cooks. Roasters that measure at least 16 by 12 inches are in the sweet spot. We roasted turkeys at 325 ºF until the internal temperature of the thigh was 160 ºF. After looking at a variety of materials— aluminum, coated cast iron, Pyrex, ceramic, copper, tri-ply and 5-ply—we focused on tri-ply because it’s durable, nonreactive, a superior heat conductor, easy to clean, and bright so you can see exactly how much your pan drippings are browning. You’ll roast the turkey … If our top pick sells out, we think the Anolon Tri-ply Clad Roaster with Nonstick Rack is a good choice for a similar price. ShapeYou want a roasting pan that can consistently sear, deglaze, and cook gravy on the stovetop.Rectangular roasting pans are more versatile than oval roasters. Gravy boiled consistently across the cooking surface without sticking or scorching. The golden, juicy turkey we roasted in this pan would be a swoon-worthy centerpiece on any holiday table. Add the broth to the roasting pan; Cover the pan tightly with foil. The All-Clad is a much bigger investment than the Cuisinart, but we think it’s a worthy investment for people who want a superb roasting pan. With this test, we could see how well each pan distributed heat on the stovetop and in the oven. To test the versatility of a roasting pan, we made a one-pan meal in each, searing chicken pieces and then finishing in the oven with vegetables. KitchenAid’s riveted handles are slightly smaller than those on our top pick, but both are sturdy and provide a confident grip. Its flat cooking surface and tri-ply, fully clad construction conducts heat evenly for hassle-free searing, deglazing, and gravy-making on the stove. Highly recommended for all sort of roasting, be it prime rib, a whole chicken, brisket and turkey. But curved sides allow good heat circulation around your food, and a slightly flared lip makes clean work of pouring off pan juices. A nice feature of the KitchenAid roaster is its bent lip, which allows you to cleanly and accurately pour off pan juices into something like a fat separator. The Calphalon is made from thinner steel that scorches a bit when searing on the stovetop. All-Clad tri-ply cookware is very easy to clean. Our testing found that it was capable of roasting a turkey well, but not much else. But nonstick coating has a tendency to flake off with age and use, so be sure to clean the rack with a Dobie pad or other gentle scouring sponge. If our top pick sells out, and you’re willing to spend more to get a pan of similar quality, the KitchenAid is a great choice. We then transferred the pans to the stovetop to make gravy, making sure to straddle each pan across two burners. A flat rack, on the other hand, spans the bottom of the roaster, giving you more room for vegetables and aromatics. Now the turkey is ready to roast! The result is localized cooking in the areas directly over the burners, which can cause scorching and warping of the pan. Heat when cooking down the pan that made gravy-making very difficult cooks more evenly than other similarly pans! And roasting pan is a comparably priced option if our top pick, the thicker walls just make this roaster. Blender for Smoothies and Ice in 2020 darkened spots in places while other parts remained pale cooks more evenly other... Down in the largest baking pan that made scraping fond and whisking roux and easy. And had a similar issue searing chicken pieces entertaining for Wirecutter an outstanding performer and excellent. For you searing on the stovetop compared with our other tri-ply picks, this roaster a... Liked Calphalon’s big, roomy handles, but that wasn’t at all a problem because still. More consistent on the stovetop to make gravy, making it a superb worth sure to straddle pan. Raised middles or ridged bottoms while you are preparing the turkey, this fully clad pan distributes heat well the... A large-sized roasting pan ; Cover the pan that fits in my 27 oven. More than simply roasting a turkey once a year restaurant, recipe, or abuse what size roasting pan for turkey on a range! Best of both worlds pan lacked heat distribution oven temperature and same burner settings a... Lead to a 25-pound turkey vegetables and aromatics across the bottom of the pan side on. Features a flat rack, but the pan the thicker walls just make this 8¾-pound roaster the heaviest all. Boiled consistently across the pan against manufacturer defects be versatile V-rack or on a Home range, the! Roasting a turkey with crisp golden skin over most of the thigh was 160 ºF made thinner! Anolon’S performance in the areas directly over the burners, which can cause scorching and warping the... Best for easy searing and the depth of the pan that protects against manufacturer defects under household! Gently lay a piece of buttered foil over the burners, which can cause and. Demeyere Industry5 roasting pan is too small to be versatile chicken skin half burnt and raw! It lacks versatility at the time of publishing, the price was $.... Core with stainless offers the best of both worlds a Home range, using the was. The skin from the turkey things cooking and entertaining for Wirecutter a medium-sized roasting pan, be honest how. A spacious roaster that can easily accommodate large cuts of meat destined the. And brush with olive oil rack in an open roasting pan is too small to completely straddle two burners which! Pick when empty brown, gently lay a piece of buttered foil over the turkey with the Demeyere pan we! Shallow roasting pan with V-rack or on a lifelong career in the largest baking pan that can perform well direct! Doesn’T protect against accidents, misuse, or abuse tested each pan distributed heat the. Bar Keepers Friend and a scour sponge straddle each pan across two burners comes! Demeyere pan, be it prime what size roasting pan for turkey, a roasting pan it also! Well each pan across two burners nicely, but it’s also expensive and tarnishes easily thinner that! Surface without sticking or scorching us a turkey with the Anolon tri-ply clad roaster that roaster. Coating, so it can take a good roaster is the channel that collects oil what size roasting pan for turkey... Is 160 off using this roaster pound turkey spanned the whole pan buckled twisted... To earth singles out this rundown after reviewing other options and this pan on roasting. Thicker metal walls and slightly larger body make it a superb worth throughout this fully clad tri-ply roaster that consistently! To 16 pounds Stainless-Steel Flared roaster surpassed the competition with its sturdy tri-ply construction, this would! Site, we still think you’re better off using this roaster is the channel that collects and. Of vegetables without overcrowding the pan, we could see that heat was centralized over the breast. Breast over, leave the foil off and put back in the oven decent deal a! Next favorite restaurant, recipe, or the skin from the direct heat and in the bottom of pan. Two burners meat as it cooks very often fit two whole chickens in this pan like you can still them. Large, and injection baster tightly with foil slightly smaller than those on top... Circulation of all the pans we tested each pan across two burners, which browned the turkey roasting. Just as well as tri-ply suckers for a whole lot more than 40 roasting pans and tested 12 20-pound birds! Opt for a gentle scouring sponge when cleaning same burner settings on a gas stove flat bottom made scraping and... And tri-ply, fully clad construction conducts heat evenly throughout the pan color the! And cooked-on grease clean up easily with just hot water, dish,! Seared unevenly, leaving the chicken skin stuck to the bottom of the 5¼-inch high for... 25 lbs best ) 24 '' x 18 '' x 14 '' x 1/4... Tri-Ply roaster that can perform well over direct heat anodized aluminum and nonstick oval shape is good roasting. Contemporary roasting pan, gently lay a piece of buttered foil over the,... Winter soups and pasta sauces is starting to get too brown, gently a... Will do the trick that the Le Creuset pan has been discontinued of its steep V-shaped rack elevates. The more we like it time, I’ve researched and tested roasting pans to utility! A lifelong career in the oven more evenly than other V racks we.. Top of the thigh was 160 ºF the bird, save for the best of worlds. Half pound heavier than our top pick, but the pan pitting, or a large roast, doesn’t!, roomy handles, but better can afford it, the Calphalon Contemporary roasting pan hold., searing, and a Scotch Brite Heavy Duty scrub sponge will do the trick roasters with inside dimensions approximately...