How To Cook A Turkey In A Fan Assisted Oven

Roasting a turkey in a convection oven is just as easy as using a conventional oven.

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Whole turkey
Paper towels
Shallow roasting pan with rack
Cooking brush
Unsalted butter
2 cups water or stock

Thaw a frozen turkey by refrigerating it for 24 hours per every 4 pounds of weight, recommends the United States Department of Agriculture.

Use more liquid when cooking in a fan-assisted oven than you would use in a conventional oven as it evaporates faster.
Refill the liquid as needed during the roasting period.
Expect a medium-sized turkey of 12 pounds to require two to two and a half hours of cooking time.
Rely only on the thermometer for indication of a fully cooked bird, as cooking time varies too widely by oven and a variety of other factors to be a reliable measure.

Avoid basting the turkey more than once or twice near the end of its cooking time. Contrary to popular belief, basting doesn’t make the meat any more moist, but it does help brown the skin, per the University of Illinois Extension. However, opening the door of a fan-assisted oven releases heat, meaning that basting impedes cooking.