Roasting 2 small turkeys at same time-help! (cooker, stove, cheap, chicken)

[purplesky]

I will be hosting Thanksgiving this year and need advice about roasting 2 turkeys in separate roasting pans in oven. I have a small oven 24" wide x 17.5" length.

Can I stagger the turkeys, 1 on top rack, 1 on bottom?

Any advice appreciated.

[mainebrokerman]

Cook to 165 f temp

Any way you can

I prefer carving the bird in the kitchen not
On the table and we separate the white and dark meat

Because of this- I’ve cooked multiple ways

I’ve cut both birds in half. For 4 halves. This done cook quicker
And I’ve also taken the wings And legs off. And cooked separately

Yes the breasts will take longer to cook because of size
But you can also split the breasts

[hertfordshire]

Place them in the oven however they will fit, rotating occasionally. But be aware that it may take longer for them to cook. DO NOT rely on calculating the cooking time. Get TWO leave-in meat thermometers and cook them until they reach an internal temp of 165 (probe in the thickest part of the thigh, without touching the bone).

You could also consider cooking one of them a different way ... perhaps frying, smoking on the grill, or using a counter top roaster.

[5-all]

Maybe if you cut out the spines and break the breastbones to flatten them (spatchcock) you can fit them both in the 24" oven. I had one of those and they seem too small for two intact turkeys.

[evening sun]

Cook one the day before & keep it in turkey or chicken broth.

[magicshark]

I don't have an advice beyond look at buying a countertop roaster. This is what I do. They are cheap. I actually paid $5 for an unused one at a flea market but they really are pretty cheap. They work really well. It will relieve the stress of either cooking the turkeys in a new way and guestimating how much longer they will need to cook.

This is a lot like the one I bought. It's pretty foolproof.https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00CQ...sML&ref=plSrch

[StrkAliteN]

Best option is butcher up the birds separating Breasts ( split those to make cooking easier ) Thighs drum sticks and wings

pros: everything easier to cook to proper temp - will fit into various pans in your stove - should get all to fit in 1 cook episode

cons: just the time required to butcher out the birds - maybe a few more pans to clean up as well

[bellakin123]

How big is each turkey? I don't see them both fitting if you leave them whole (I imagine one will be close to the top rack.


I would spatchcock them or as Strk suggested--butcher them up.


Aren't you going to need the oven for other food? Maybe cook one the day before or try to find another method of cooking the other?

[purplesky]

I'm not a skilled turkey cooker so I don't want to be butchering up turkeys prior to cooking. I was just thinking about putting one on one rack one on the second rack maybe 9 lbs or so each. Thanks for everyone's suggestions, lots of stuff I never would have thought of

[StrkAliteN]

Originally Posted by purplesky

I'm not a skilled turkey cooker so I don't want to be butchering up turkeys prior to cooking. I was just thinking about putting one on one rack one on the second rack maybe 9 lbs or so each. Thanks for everyone's suggestions, lots of stuff I never would have thought of

I am surprised 2 small 9lb turkeys would even fit into most ovens stacked on separate shelves / racks. Turkeys are quite tall and take up a lot more height space then most cooks think. Often real estate in the oven becomes an issue when 1 bird is in their .... much less TWO turkeys

Check with some friends or watch a you tube tutorial on cutting up a turkey ( raw - uncooked ) Its a lot easier than you think with the proper sharp knife(s)

I still think that's your best bet. The drumbsticks and wings will be done much sooner than thighs and breasts so that will clear up oven space for other dishes ( big benefit )