How To Cook A Turkey Overnight

Yes, you can cook a turkey overnight. Not only is it a great way to roast the big bird, but it’s also one of the simplest. This overnight method ensures you’ll wake up to a house filled with the smell of a perfectly cooked turkey, freeing up valuable oven space (as well as your schedule, too!).

By following the right directions—and a reliable alarm clock—you can have peace of mind that your turkey will be baked to perfection when you wake up.

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Remember Food Safety

Before we dive into the world of overnight turkey cooking, it’s essential to prioritize safety. While this method offers convenience and culinary excellence, it also introduces a set of precautions.

To ensure your overnight turkey is safe to eat, please follow the recommended cooking temperature guidelines. The USDA advises cooking whole turkeys to an internal temperature of at least 165°F (73.9°C). This will remove harmful bacteria present on the turkey, making your meal both delicious and safe.

How To Cook A Turkey Overnight

Prepare the turkey:

First things first, make sure your turkey is all thawed out.

While you can cook a turkey from frozen, it’s easiest if the bird is already thawed. The easiest way to thaw your turkey is to pop it in the fridge—plan for about 24 hours per 5 pounds of meat. You can also thaw your turkey in a cold water bath, which takes about 30 minutes per pound.

After your turkey thaws, pat it dry and clean out the giblets. Get creative with your seasonings—we love the combo of butter, rosemary, thyme, sage, garlic, salt and pepper. Rub this all over and inside the turkey.

Cook the turkey:

Preheat your oven to around 200°F. This will help ensure a slow and steady cook throughout the process.

Place your seasoned turkey in a roasting pan, breast-side up. Add about a quart of water or chicken broth to the bottom of your roasting pan and cover it with aluminum foil—this will help keep the turkey moist when you can’t get up to baste in the middle of the night.  

While cooking time will vary based on the size of your turkey and your oven, it’ll generally take about 9–11 hours for your turkey to reach a safe internal temperature of 165°F. Set an alarm for the morning to make sure your turkey doesn’t overcook. If you wake up to find your bird is still slightly under temperature, keep checking on it every 30 minutes.

Also, keep in mind that your turkey can be pulled from the oven at about 155–160°F and will continue to rise another 5–10 degrees in temperature while it rests, just like when cooking beef or pork.

With these steps and precautions in place, you’ll wake up to the delightful aroma of a perfectly cooked turkey, stress-free.

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