Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Ina Garten’s make-ahead Thanksgiving method shifts much of the work away from the holiday: salt the turkey and refrigerate it in advance, dry its skin uncovered the day before roasting, and prepare the gravy base ahead. On serving day, roast the bird, finish the gravy with white wine and pan drippings, then carve the turkey over gravy and warm it on an ovenproof platter. Garten’s published recipe is for a 12- to 14-pound turkey and serves eight.
What makes the method make-ahead
The plan separates advance preparation from the steps that depend on the roast. The turkey is seasoned and refrigerated before cooking, and the onion-and-sage gravy base is made in advance. The final gravy still uses the roasting pan, so it is finished after the turkey cooks rather than completed entirely ahead. The recipe comes from Ina Garten’s Make It Ahead (2014), as published on the Barefoot Contessa recipe page.
How to prepare Garten’s turkey and gravy
Two or three days before roasting
- Combine kosher salt, fresh thyme, and lemon zest, then season the 12- to 14-pound fresh turkey. Wrap and refrigerate it for one or two days.
- Make the gravy base: brown sliced red onion and garlic in butter, stir in flour, then add chicken stock, Cognac or brandy, sage, and bay leaves. Simmer for 20 minutes, let it rest for an hour, strain it, and refrigerate. The recipe yields four cups.
The day before roasting
Remove the turkey’s wrapping and leave the bird uncovered in the refrigerator. This allows the skin to dry before roasting. Keep the bird refrigerated during this step.
On Thanksgiving
- Roast at 325°F. Garten’s recipe gives a cooking time of two to 2¼ hours before checking the breast with an instant-read food thermometer; the breast target is 165°F.
- Cut off the legs and thighs and return them to the oven until the dark meat reaches 180°F. Let the dark meat rest with the breast.
- Deglaze the roasting pan with white wine. Whisk in the prepared gravy base and simmer for about five minutes, until smooth and slightly thickened.
- Spread about a quarter-inch layer of gravy over a large ovenproof platter. Carve the turkey onto it, then reheat uncovered for 15 to 30 minutes, until very hot.
Why the gravy is only partly finished ahead
The advance gravy base saves the browning, simmering, and straining for an earlier day, while the wine and roasting-pan bits bring the roast-day flavor into the finished sauce. Set aside time after the turkey comes out to deglaze the pan and simmer the base with its drippings; making the base early does not eliminate that final step.
#1 Best Overall
- VERSATILE ROASTING PAN – A cookware essential. This big 15 inch roaster is ideal for cooking turkey, chicken or beef, along with other meats and vegetables.
- PREMIUM NONSTICK BAKEWARE – Durable nonstick coating makes kitchen cleanup a breeze – and it’s even dishwasher safe!
- LARGE METAL RACK FOR EVEN BAKING – V-shaped iron rack offers increased airflow for consistently delicious results.
- HEAVY DUTY STEEL CONSTRUCTION – Durable and warp-resistant, this set withstands oven temperatures up to 464 degrees Fahrenheit (240 degrees Celsius).
- DEEP RECTANGULAR CASSEROLE DISH – At 15 x 10.3 x 2.8 inches (excluding handles) this roasting pan is perfectly sized for holidays, dinner parties, potlucks and hearty weekday meals.
Temperature, holding, and leftovers
Use a food thermometer for the turkey’s doneness checks. USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service consumer guidance says to discard turkey, stuffing, and gravy left at room temperature for more than two hours, or more than one hour when the temperature is above 90°F. These thresholds are safety limits for holding food, not extensions of the recipe’s resting instructions. See the USDA FSIS leftovers and food safety guidance.
The USDA’s cooked-dinner guidance also says turkey covered with broth or gravy may be frozen for six months. That figure is specific to the agency’s guidance; Garten’s recipe does not give this storage duration. The related Food Network “Accidental Make-Ahead Turkey” recipe is another published Garten method, but it is distinct. Its roasting sequence and herb mix should not be substituted into the Barefoot Contessa recipe above.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Spacious Capacity for Big Feasts: enjoy the convenience of a large roasting pan that measures about 23.5 x 15.5 x 4 inches / 60 x 40 x 10 cm, thickness about 0.04 inch/ 1 mm and weighing just about 3.3 pounds / 1.5 kg, ideal for accommodating a whole turkey, big roasts, or layered lasagna; This turkey broiler pan provides ample room for your culinary creations, making it ideal for family gatherings and holiday cooking
- Safe and Food Grade Stainless Steel: crafted from food grade stainless steel, this roasting pan for ovens ensures safety and health by resisting corrosion and rust; Even when exposed to high temperatures and ingredients like salt or tomato juice, this stainless steel oven pan won't release harmful substances, safeguarding your family's well-being
- Durable One Piece Design: this roasting pan with handles features a thick one piece design that can withstand high temperature baking and daily impact, durable and not easy to deform; Its smooth surface is seamless, easy to clean and durable; The comfortable handle provides a firm grip, making it easy to remove from the stove top or oven and prevent burns; It also ensures that your large baking sheet with handles is ready for the next cooking challenge
- Spill Proof and Versatile Compatibility: featuring a spill proof edge, this lasagna bakeware prevents liquids or fats from overflowing, keeping your oven spotless; Compatible with multiple stove tops, it transitions seamlessly from oven to gas stove to induction cook top; Use it as a serving dish to reduce dishware and enhance kitchen efficiency
- Versatile baking solution: This practical baking pan makes a great gift for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and barbecue season. Whether roasting turkey, chicken, or beef, or making lasagna and roasting vegetables, this stainless steel material baking pan can meet all your cooking needs. It's ideal for family dinners, holiday meals, or everyday cooking, easily meeting a variety of baking and cooking needs
Rank #4
- The dutch oven is carefully crafted with a carbon steel core, and the sturdy enamel steel design ensures its durability,high temperature resistance.Free from harmful substances such as PFOA and PTFE
- Our turkey roasting pan with lid are compatible with multiple heat sources, but please note that they are not suitable for use in glass ovens, induction cookers, or microwave ovens
- The turkey roaster pan is 18 inches long and 12.8 inches wide (15 inches x 11 inches inside), suitable for large grilling of meat, poultry, or various dishes, efficiently preparing festive meal sizes. With a lid, it can hold up to 16 pounds of poultry.Perfect for Thanksgiving Turkey & Christmas Ham
- Easy to clean: After using the bread pan, you can easily put it in the dishwasher for cleaning, reducing tedious manual cleaning work. Please note: Do not use overly hard tools to clean the pot body to prevent damage to the natural enamel coating
- Stronger cooking ability: Compared to steel or glass materials, the enamel surface can evenly absorb and distribute the heat inside the roaster pan with lid, thereby accelerating cooking speed, locking in moisture in food, and making delicious dishes
Rank #3
- EXTRA LARGE ROASTING PAN WITH RACK: 17-Inch x 13-Inch Nonstick Oven Roaster with Rack
- DURABLE ROASTER RACK: This roaster pan with rack features a convenient U-shaped rack that keeps meats off the bottom of the pan
- FAST AND EVEN HEATING: This turkey roasting pan features heavy duty steel construction for fast, even heat distribution
- SUPERIOR NONSTICK: This oven roasting pan’s superior nonstick technology provides excellent oven roaster food release and easy cleanup
- HIGH PERFORMANCE DESIGN: Oven safe to 450° F, this roast pan has superior nonstick and wide handles for a confident grip
Rank #2
- EXCEPTIONAL DESIGN: The Cuisinart 16-inch rectangular roaster is made with a high-performance stainless steel exterior and riveted stainless steel handles. The steel rack is large enough to handle a big Thanksgiving turkey and perfect for slow-roasting root vegetables
- STURDY & STRONG: A sturdy rack with stainless steel handles allows elevated cooking exposure for fat to drain off of food and makes removing items easy
- MEASUREMENTS: Pan measurements: 16.8” Length, 12.8” Width, 3.4” High. Handles with rack measurement: 21.1” Length, 12.8” Width, 5.8” High
- WARRANTY: Lifetime warranty
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.
