Our Convection Oven Turkey recipe is your guide to achieving a juicy and flavorful holiday centerpiece, cooked to perfection! Not only is this method surprisingly simple, but it also yields incredible results with crispy skin and tender meat.
By focusing on lean protein and healthy fats, it offers a satisfying alternative to traditional turkey dishes laden with sugary glazes and heavy side dishes.
Why This Recipe Works
Even better, this recipe is especially suitable for those managing blood sugar levels. By focusing on lean protein and healthy fats, it offers a satisfying alternative to traditional turkey dishes laden with sugary glazes and heavy side dishes.
- Lean Protein: Turkey is a fantastic source of lean protein, which can help with feelings of satiety and blood sugar management.
- No Added Sugar: This recipe avoids sugary glazes and marinades, keeping added sugars to a minimum.
- Healthy Fats: The use of butter adds a touch of healthy fat, which can help with satiety and maintaining healthy blood sugar levels.
Jump to:
- Why This Recipe Works
- What's The Difference Between Convection Roasting and Oven Roasting?
- Turkey Roasting Ingredients
- How To Roast A Convection Oven Turkey
- Substitutions and Variations
- Tips for Success
- Serving Suggestions
- Related Recipes
- Equipment
- Storage and Reheating
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Diabetes Friendly Recipes
- Roasted Convection Oven Turkey
- Want To Save This Recipe?
What's The Difference Between Convection Roasting and Oven Roasting?
The main difference between a convection oven setting and a regular oven roasting setting lies in how heat is circulated within the oven cavity.
Here below I have a breakdown the the basic differences between a regular oven, and one that has a convection oven setting also:
Regular Oven Roasting
- Traditional ovens rely on heating elements located at the top and bottom of the cavity.
- As these elements heat up, they radiate heat outwards, slowly warming the air and eventually cooking the food.
- This can create hot and cool spots within the oven, and may lead to uneven cooking, especially for multiple dishes placed at different levels.
Convection Oven Setting
- Convection ovens also have heating elements, but they incorporate a fan system that circulates the hot air throughout the cavity.
- This constant air circulation ensures more even heat distribution, leading to faster cooking times and more consistent results.
- Food cooks more evenly, with reduced chances of burning on the outside while remaining under cooked inside.
- Some convection ovens even have a third heating element placed near the fan to ensure a steady stream of hot air.
Feature | Regular Oven Roasting | Convection Oven Setting |
---|---|---|
Heat Distribution | Relies on radiation | Uses a fan for circulation |
Hot and Cold Spots | More likely | Less likely |
Cooking Time | Slower | Faster |
Cooking Consistency | Less consistent | More consistent |
Turkey Roasting Ingredients
This recipe relies on a selection of simple ingredients that come together to roast a flavorful turkey in a convection oven:
- Whole Turkey: The star of the show! Choose a turkey that fits comfortably in your convection oven.
- Butter: A fresh herbed butter coating helps to crisp up the skin and add flavor and moisture.
- Herbs: Rosemary, thyme, and sage add a delightful aromatic touch.
- Citrus: Lemon and orange slices add a touch of brightness and subtle sweetness.
- Chicken Broth: Keeps the turkey moist while cooking in the convection oven.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How To Roast A Convection Oven Turkey
First thing, oven the neck cavity and remove the package of neck and giblets. These are wonderful to boil for broth to mix with the drippings later for a savory, real turkey broth gravy. I always think it weird to make turkey gravy with chicken broth, lol!
Prepare The Defrosted Turkey
- Remove the package to neck and giblets, setting them aside to use later or to throw away. Rinse the turkey out in your sink, inside the cavity and the skin side.
- Preheat your convection oven to 325°F (165°C). Pat the turkey dry with paper towels (this will let the butter mixture stick).
Butter The Turkey
- In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, rosemary, thyme, and sage leaves. Rub the herb mixture all over the turkey, including under the skin on the breast. Then, season the buttered turkey generously with salt and pepper.
- Stuff the cavity of the turkey with the celery sticks, quartered onion, smashed clove of garlic, and citrus slices.
Roast On The Convection Setting
- Place the turkey on a roasting rack in a shallow roasting pan. Pour the chicken broth into the bottom of the pan.
- Roast the turkey in the preheated convection oven for 2-2 ½ hours, or until the internal temperature of the thigh reaches 165°F (75°C). Baste the turkey occasionally with the pan drippings for added moisture.
- If the skin starts to brown too quickly, tent the turkey loosely with foil.
Rest and Carve
- Once the turkey is cooked through, remove it from the oven and let it rest for at least 20 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat for a more flavorful and tender result.
- Carve and and garnish the platter with additional orange slices and fresh herbs. Serve and enjoy!
Substitutions and Variations
Here are a few delicious variations when making this recipe.
- Citrus: Don't have lemons or oranges? No problem! Simply omit them from the recipe.
- Vegetables: For extra flavor and moisture, you can add chopped vegetables like onions, carrots, and celery to the bottom of the roasting pan.
Tips for Success
Here are a few tips for roasting a turkey, convection oven or regular oven:
- Thaw Completely: Ensure your turkey is fully thawed before cooking for even cooking results.
- Pat it Dry: Patting the turkey dry helps to achieve crispy skin.
- Baste Occasionally: Basting the turkey with pan drippings helps keep it moist and flavorful.
- Let it Rest: Allowing the turkey to rest after cooking is crucial for a juicy and tender result.
Serving Suggestions
This Convection Oven Turkey is the perfect centerpiece for any holiday celebration, not just Thanksgiving! Here's how you can elevate it for different occasions.
- For a cozy Christmas dinner, add a festive touch with fresh cranberries scattered around the pan before roasting.
- Easter calls for springtime flavors, so consider brining the turkey in a citrusy marinade or stuffing it with a herb and lemon mixture.
And who says turkey is just for big holidays? This recipe is perfect for a smaller gathering as well. Simply roast a smaller turkey breast and enjoy leftover turkey sandwiches or a delicious turkey pot pie throughout the week.
Related Recipes
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. Below are some of my favorite pieces of equipment that I use when making this dish.
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Storage and Reheating
- Leftover roasted turkey can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- You can also freeze leftover turkey meat for up to 3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
The size of the turkey you can cook will depend on the capacity of your convection oven. Most convection ovens can comfortably fit a 12-14 pound turkey.
Trussing the turkey is not necessary for this recipe. However, if you prefer a more tightly shaped bird, you can truss it using kitchen twine before roasting.
Yes, you can absolutely stuff the turkey with your favorite stuffing recipe instead of the aromatics. However, keep in mind that stuffing can slow down the cooking time of the turkey. To compensate, you may need to adjust the roasting time or cook the stuffing separately.
The most accurate way to determine if your turkey is cooked through is to use a meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, avoiding bone. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (75°C) for the turkey to be safe to consume.
Don't waste those delicious turkey drippings! Simply skim the fat from the drippings, whisk in some arrowroot or xanthan gum, and gradually add chicken or turkey broth until it reaches your desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
More Diabetes Friendly Recipes
Roasted Convection Oven Turkey
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 lb Turkey, whole 12-14 lbs, thawed
- 2 tablespoon Butter softened
- 1 teaspoon Rosemary dried or fresh
- 1 teaspoon Thyme dried or fresh
- 1 teaspoon Sage dried or fresh
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black pepper ground
- 1 stalk Celery trimmed and cut into 3" lengths
- 1 small Onion quartered
- clove Garlic smashed
- 1 Lemon quartered
- 1 Orange quartered
- 2 cup Chicken broth
- Fresh herbs for garnish
- Orange additional for garnish
Instructions
- Remove the package to neck and giblets, setting them aside to use later or to throw away. Rinse the turkey out in your sink, inside the cavity and the skin side.12 lb Turkey, whole
- Preheat your convection oven to 325°F (165°C). Pat the turkey dry with paper towels.
- In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, rosemary, thyme, and sage leaves. Rub the herb mixture all over the turkey, including under the skin on the breast. Then, season the buttered turkey generously with salt and pepper.2 tablespoon Butter, 1 teaspoon Rosemary, 1 teaspoon Thyme, 1 teaspoon Sage, 1 teaspoon Salt, ½ teaspoon Black pepper
- Stuff the cavity of the turkey with the celery sticks, quartered onion, smashed clove of garlic, and citrus slices.1 stalk Celery, 1 small Onion, 1 Lemon, 1 Orange, clove Garlic
- Place the turkey on a roasting rack in a shallow roasting pan. Pour the chicken broth into the bottom of the pan.2 cup Chicken broth
- Roast the turkey in the preheated convection oven for 2-2 ½ hours, or until the internal temperature of the thigh reaches 165°F (75°C). Baste the turkey occasionally with the pan drippings for added moisture.
- If the skin starts to brown too quickly, tent the turkey loosely with foil.
- Once the turkey is cooked through, remove it from the oven and let it rest for at least 20 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat for a more flavorful and tender result.
- Carve and and garnish the platter with additional orange slices and fresh herbs. Serve and enjoy!Fresh herbs, Orange
Notes
- Thaw Completely: Ensure your turkey is fully thawed before cooking for even cooking results.
- Pat it Dry: Patting the turkey dry helps to achieve crispy skin.
- Baste Occasionally: Basting the turkey with pan drippings helps keep it moist and flavorful.
- Let it Rest: Allowing the turkey to rest after cooking is crucial for a juicy and tender result.
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