TL;DR: Thanksgiving likely pops into your mind when you think of turkey roasting pans. However, these oversized oven-safe dishes are helpful all year round. Use them to make glazed ham, roasted chicken, pot roasts, or an extra-large lasagna. I even use my favorite Viking roasting pan to make caramel corn, since it can hold large quantities of buttery, coated popcorn. No matter how you put your roasting pan to work in the kitchen, it’s best to choose one that suits your lifestyle and can handle whatever you ask it to do.

I raised six children and have often felt my life revolves around food. Most mornings, my first thought is, “What am I making for dinner?” I not only learned how to budget well for groceries, but I learned how to cook—often, and in large quantities. I made good friends with the meat section in the grocery store, since a large ham or turkey goes a long way when you have hungry teenagers. In all my years of cooking and writing about food, the number one thing I am convinced of is that better-quality kitchen tools yield the best results, and make cooking more pleasant.

What To Consider When Choosing a Turkey Roasting Pan

In my home, I ask a lot of my roasting pan. I have a big extended family, and my husband and I host all the holidays, so I am exhausted by the end of December (but that’s another story). Each year, we roast the largest turkey possible. So, for myself, the size of the roasting pan is essential. However, there are many other things to consider as well when purchasing a turkey roasting pan, including the material, price, accessories, and ease of use. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you search for a roasting pan that suits for needs:

Material

Like all cookware, roasting pans come in several different materials. Material has an affect on how well the dish cleans up, how heavy it is, and how well it distributes heat. Here are examples of various types of materials typically used in roasting pans, and what benefits they offer:

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel resists corrosion and rust, making it a top choice for many chefs as well as novice home cooks. Still, not all stainless steel is created equal. Thankfully, a grading system is available for stainless steel cookware to help you choose between the available options.

The two most common stainless steel grades are 18/10 and 18/8. The grades refer to the quality, temperature resistance, and corrosion resistance of the stainless steel cookware. When reading these numbers, the first number, 18, refers to the percentage of chromium in the piece, and the second refers to the amount of nickel. Nickel is necessary in stainless steel to allow it to reach high temperatures safely.

Grade 18/0 is among the lowest grades, and is often seen in budget-friendly stainless steel roasting pans and other cookware. It is still safe to use but has almost no nickel, making it prone to deform or corrode when used at high temperatures.

Anodized Aluminum

Anodized aluminum is a nonstick material. Unlike other nonstick coatings, such as Teflon, hard-anodized aluminum is an aluminum pan fused together with nonstick coatings. Teflon, on the other hand, is sprayed on to create a nonstick surface and, after time, peels off.

The fusion method creates a tough, nonstick surface that won’t peel off easily, even with metal utensils. Eventually, however, unlike a regular aluminum pan, the nonstick surface wears off.

Enamel-Coated Cast Iron

Enamel-coated cast iron is just as it sounds: a cast iron pan with an enamel coating. The enamel creates a safe surface for cooking, and results in easy cleanup.

Since the base is cast iron, enamel-coated cast iron enjoys the benefits of a smooth surface from the enamel and excellent heat retention from the cast iron. These pans are quite durable and last for generations.

Copper

Copper roasting pans and other cookware pieces aren’t copper all the way through. Instead, the exterior is made of copper, while the interior is either stainless steel or tin. If the interior is high-quality, copper pans are an excellent choice since they are highly durable.

Copper is often chosen for its beauty, and is one of the most aesthetically pleasing types of cookware to have in your home.

Carbon Steel

Carbon steel is made with iron and carbon. Its surface is naturally nonstick, and will never peel or scrape away like many other nonstick surfaces. You can think of it as having the best of both worlds: cast iron and nonstick, but without the weight. Carbon steel is tough and durable, and handles high heat well. However, it is lighter than cast iron, making it easier to maneuver. You do need to season carbon steel, just like cast iron. The best part is that it’s basically indestructible.

Price

Of course, each roasting pan has its own price point. The pans in this review range from about $70 - $600. That’s quite a range, and the quality of materials usually determines price. Higher quality materials bring a higher price tag.

Still, don’t assume that one pan is the best one for you since it is more expensive than another. Choose the best quality for your budget, and the highest quality in the material you prefer and can afford.

Accessories

Who doesn’t love a great accessory? Not all turkey roasting pans come with accessories; however, some do, and it makes us smile. Common turkey roasting pan accessories are removable racks, lids, and meat carving sets.

Ease of Use

Life is hard. No one needs a difficult roasting pan. Sure, they don’t talk back, but some roasting pans feel awkward to use and, worse, can be a bear to clean. When considering ease of use, I ask myself the following questions:

• Are the handles comfortable to grip as I hoist a 26-pound turkey from the oven to the table?
• Does the turkey fit well on all sides?
• Is cleaning up afterward a breeze?

Do You Have To Cook Turkey in a Roasting Pan?

Yes and no. There are other options for cooking a turkey, such as an air fryer or electric roaster. However, if you are cooking one in the oven, a roasting pan designed to hold a turkey of many pounds is the way to go.

Roasters are designed with deep sides and plenty of room inside to handle big tasks like a turkey. Most move easily from the oven to the stove, making it an easy transition from roasting meat to making gravy. And with the right material, hand washing a high-quality roasting pan is a breeze.

When you are ready to purchase a turkey roasting pan, keep all of the above in mind: material, price, accessories, and ease of use. Now, let’s get to my recommendations for the best turkey roasting pans on the market today!

The 5 Best Turkey Roasting Pans

1. The Viking 3-Ply Roasting Pan

I LOVE this stainless steel pan. Cleaning it is a pleasure, since it cleans up beautifully, and the shine is beyond impressive after drying. However, the best part is that it can handle a turkey that feeds 30+ people every Thanksgiving, and the biggest ham I can find at Christmas (I’m telling you, these people can eat!). The Viking tri-Ply Roasting Pan does it easily. What I Love:

• It comes with a carving set. There are many different types of knives, but if you are left high and dry looking for a carving knife on Thanksgiving, the guests will get ornery, and you might consider turkey sandwiches next year.
• The pan is one of the largest on the list, at 16” x 13” x 3”
• The handles have an ergonomic design, which means there’s no balancing act when lifting it out of the oven. Plus, the design helps the roaster sit nicely in the oven, even on a higher rack.
• The removable rack keeps the meat raised off the bottom of the pan, making it easy to access the drippings. It also helps the meat cook evenly.

2. Circulon Ultra-Lasting Nonstick Roasting Pan

I’m not a big nonstick person. It may be because I grew up during a time when nonstick pans were known for peeling and flaking, which, even at a young age, I knew couldn’t be a good thing. However, today’s nonstick pans are much safer for your health and the environment, and Circulon is one of the best.

What I Love:

• The safe, nonstick finish makes cleanup unbeatable
• One of the largest roasters on the list, at 17” in length
• The patented rack that comes with it is easy to lift, even in the oven, and the design allows you to release a turkey or anything else easily from the pan to another spot.

3. Le Creuset Signature Roaster

Wouldn’t you love one in every color? Le Creuset’s color choices are delicious; however, it’s the quality of this sophisticated French brand that is world-renowned. Although the company is well-known for its dutch ovens, Le Creuset makes an impressive roaster.

As an enamel-coated cast iron roaster, you can expect excellent heat retention in Le Creuset’s Signature Roaster, plus the even heat distribution (as you’d expect in cast iron) makes it easy to make your Thanksgiving gray right in the roaster.

Enamel-coated cast iron products are heavy, so something to consider is that you'll be doing some heavy lifting with a 20-pound turkey in this bad boy.

What I Love:

• You can easily take a Le Creuset dish from oven to table to stovetop
• Fabulous color choices
• The simple design gets the job done. There are no extra frills, but the roasting pan is excellent.

Keep in Mind:

• The weight is a lot when making a large bird
• There is no rack, which isn’t great for the meat

4. Ruffoni Rectangular Roaster

Made in Italy, the Ruffoni Rectangular Roaster 5.75 QT is stunning. I could just leave it at that…but I won’t. This piece is hammered, solid copper with a tin interior for a surface that is close to nonstick. And, of course, Ruffoni’s signature acorn and leaves sit atop the lid.

It will hold your Thanksgiving turkey and make guests gasp at its beauty. Prepare to pay the price for the Ruffoni Rectangular Roaster 5.75 QT—it’s the most expensive on the list.

What I Love:

• It’s simply beautiful. I think the Ruffoni Rectangular Roaster is one of the most lovely additions to any kitchen.
• The handles are cast bronze, making them sturdy and easy to use
• Tin linings are sometimes called “low stick,” meaning they aren’t technically nonstick, but tin is a slippery surface. As a bonus, the Ruffoni tin interior is tin-lined by hand.
• The dome lid is useful when slow-cooking a roast or anything else

Keep in Mind:

• Copper requires special care. I grew up in a kitchen that had copper pots hanging over our heads. They were beautiful, and my parents were great cooks; however, when it was my night to do the dishes, I dreaded it. It takes special care to keep copper pots looking like new.
• It’s smaller than others, at 11 inches

5. Merten and Storck Carbon Steel Roasting Pan

If you love cast iron, but don’t enjoy the upkeep and weight, you’ll love a carbon steel roasting pan. It’s often called the perfect mix of stainless steel and cast iron. The Merten and Storck Carbon Steel Roasting Pan handles the highest temperatures, retains heat well, and is indestructible. It is seasoned right out of the box, and the stainless steel rack it comes with keeps the meat out of the juices.

What I Love:

• It’s made with indestructible carbon steel
• The roaster comes with a rack
• It has riveted, strong handles for lifting
• Budget-friendly without giving up quality

Keep in Mind:

• The roasting pan is just over 11 inches, and relatively shallow. If you like to add plenty of butter, carrots, onions, and celery for delectable pan drippings while roasting your turkey, you are out of luck.

Find the Best Roasting Pan For You

There are some great turkey roasting pans on the market today. My personal favorite is the Viking 3-ply for its durability, large size, and great accessories. It’s also a middle-of-the-road price. However, if you are on a tight budget, I think the Circulon can’t be beat.

If you’re still looking for more guidance, or aren’t sure which roasting pan on this list suits you best, chat with a Kitchen Expert here on Curated for free, personalized advice on the best roasting pan for you!