Last Updated on November 28, 2022 by Lauren Beck
If you’re cooking for a large gathering and don’t have two ovens, it can be tricky to figure out how to cook the turkey and all the sides in one oven. It is possible, though, by making some adjustments in how you time your dishes.
In this article, we’ll explain how to cook a turkey and sides with just one oven.
Plan Ahead
The first step in how to cook a turkey and all the sides with one oven is planning ahead. Make sure you plan at least two days before your gathering, so that you can prepare everything properly. Start by preparing any side dishes or sauces that need to be made in advance, such as mashed potatoes, gravy or stuffing. This will save time on the day of your gathering.
Choose Recipes
The next step is to choose recipes that bake or roast at similar temperatures. Avoid recipes that require different temperatures or times, as this will be difficult to accomplish with one oven. Consider how long each dish needs to cook and how many dishes you can fit in your oven at once.
Start Cooking Early
Start cooking early in the day, so that you can keep your oven running at a steady temperature. Start by preheating the oven to the required temperature for each dish. If two dishes require different temperatures, start with the dish that needs to cook longer first and adjust the time for other dishes accordingly.
Timing and temperature
When cooking in one oven, it is important to monitor the timing and temperature of each dish. Use a timer or set an alarm on your phone to alert you when dishes need to be checked or turned over. You may need to adjust temperatures as you go along depending on how long dishes are cooking for.
Look To Your Other Appliances
Your other kitchen appliances can come in handy when trying to cook multiple dishes with one oven. If your recipes allow, consider using a slow cooker or electric pressure cooker for some of the sides. These can be used while you are baking and roasting dishes in the oven.
Play Practice Tetris
With one oven, you may need to get creative with how you fit all of your dishes in the oven. Play a game of practice Tetris to figure out how you can best arrange the dishes in your oven. Make sure that there is enough space between dishes for air to circulate and that none of them are too close to each other.
Can You Cook 2 or More Dishes in the Oven at Once?

Yes, it is possible to cook two dishes in the oven at once as long as they are cooked at similar temperatures. If your dishes require different temperatures, you may need to adjust the cooking times accordingly. Keep a close eye on how your food is cooking and make sure to use a timer or set an alarm so that you don’t overcook any of your dishes.
Tips for Cooking Multiple Dishes
Here are other tips for cooking multiple dishes with one oven:
- Choose recipes that don’t require too many ingredients or steps, as this can be time consuming.
- Cook dishes with similar temperatures and cook times together in the same oven.
- Use a slow cooker or electric pressure cooker to free up space in your oven.
- Monitor how food is cooking and adjust times and temperatures as necessary.
How to Cook Two Turkeys Together?
It is possible to cook two turkeys together in one oven [1]. This can be done by using a roasting pan that is large enough for two turkeys and adjusting how you arrange the birds in the pan. Make sure the turkeys are not touching each other and that there is enough space around them so hot air can circulate freely. Monitor how the turkeys are cooking and how long they need to cook. If the two turkeys require different temperatures, adjust the oven temperature accordingly but don’t increase it too much or your food may burn. Be sure to use a timer or set an alarm so that you don’t overcook either of the birds.
Conclusion
Cooking multiple dishes with one oven can be tricky but with a little creativity and planning, it is possible. Monitor how your dishes are cooking and adjust times and temperatures accordingly. Don’t forget to use other kitchen appliances, such as a slow cooker or electric pressure cooker, if necessary. If you need to cook two turkeys together in one oven, use a roasting pan that is large enough for both birds and adjust how you arrange them in the pan. If space is an issue, consider using an outdoor grill or a roaster oven to cook your two turkeys simultaneously. With these tips and techniques, you’ll be able to cook turkey and sides with one oven in no time.
Reference:
- https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/Can-I-cook-two-turkeys-at-the-same-time
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