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The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Unless you regularly make family-size roasts, you might not give much thought to roasting pans outside of the holiday season. While these large pans are certainly helpful when it comes to cooking generously-sized Thanksgiving turkeys and holiday hams, they’re also highly versatile pieces of cookware that can come in handy in everyday cooking. Roasting pans can be used to roast chicken and vegetables, prepare one-pan meals like lasagna or deep dish pizzas, bake desserts for a crowd, and simmer gravy and pan sauces right on the stovetop.
We purchased various popular roasting pans to test in our Lab, and several were sent to our independent reviewers to test in their home kitchens for the most realistic results. Our Lab testers analyzed the design and performance of each pan by roasting a chicken with potatoes and making gravy. They also assessed how easy the pan was to clean after cooking.
Here, our seven of our best roasting pan picks for every kitchen and budget.
Best Overall
Made In Blue Carbon Steel Roasting Pan With Rack
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Amazon
Large enough for a 12-pound turkey
High-quality build
Excellent heat retention
Induction-compatible
Requires seasoning
Hand-wash only
Made In has quickly grown its reputation as a high-quality, chef-approved cookware brand and this roasting pan is just another example of why. It was designed in collaboration with Chef Tom Colicchio, co-founder and former head chef of NYC's Gramercy Tavern. Large enough for a 12-pound turkey, this premium carbon-steel roaster boasts excellent heat retention and proper seasoning creates a nonstick surface. The high sides are fantastic for encouraging even browning and the riveted loop handles are large enough for you to comfortably transport your pan with oven mitts on. The roaster also comes with a flat stainless steel rack to keep your meat or poultry aloft, while also allowing just enough space below for roasting veggies.
In our Lab tests, we found the pan to be easy to use, turning out crispy roasted potatoes with pillowy soft insides, and evenly cooked chicken in just over an hour. Thanks to its nonstick surface, we noted it was also incredibly easy to clean—the rounded edges also ensure that food doesn't get stuck in its corners (one of the pain points Colicchio wanted to remedy).
The pan is oven safe up to 1200 degrees Fahrenheit and can also be used directly on the stovetop—it's even induction compatible. Just like other carbon steel pieces, this pan should be washed by hand and seasoned regularly to maintain its nonstick quality. While it is on the pricier side, it's built to last and is a great investment for anyone interested in outfitting their kitchen with professional-style cookware.
Price at time of publish: $139
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The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Material: Carbon steel | Dishwasher Safe: No | Stovetop Safe: Yes | Includes Rack: Yes | Maximum Temperature: 1200 degrees | Weight: 5.56 pounds
Best Small
Farberware Nonstick Steel Roaster with Flat Rack
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Amazon
Streamlined design with plenty of space
Lightweight but still heats evenly
Versatile
Great value
Handles are small
Only oven safe to 450 degrees
If you're searching for a more compact roaster, this sleekly designed pan from Farberware should suit your needs. Measuring 11 inches wide by 15 inches long, this lightweight roasting pan still has plenty of space for a decently-sized rack of lamb or large chicken. Made of steel. this rack also has a nonstick coating that keeps food from getting stuck—helpful for when you're transferring its contents or cleaning up. The included chrome-plated rack will keep your protein raised, allowing you to keep your meats or vegetables from sitting in their juices if you don't want them to. While it isn't suitable for stovetop use, its maneuverability allows you to pour drippings into a saucepan to make gravy without being cumbersome.
In our Lab tests, this roaster did really well when we cooked a chicken and potatoes, offering plenty of room for even cooking (though not as much browning as some other models). Cleaning was a breeze thanks to the nonstick coating, and we thought it delivered great value considering its versatility and performance combined with a very reasonable price.
The shape of this pan also lends itself well to uses besides roasting—it can handle lasagna, casseroles, or even brownies. While the pan's maximum heat threshold—450 degrees Fahrenheit—is lower than others, it is still a great roaster that we recommend to those with limited space or for those who don't cook for a crowd very often.
Price at time of publish: $30
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The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Material: Steel | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Stovetop Safe: No | Includes Rack: Yes | Maximum Temperature: 450 degrees | Weight: 3 pounds
Best Luxury
Hestan Provisions Stainless Steel Classic Roaster with Rack
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Amazon
Super heavy-duty construction
Upright handles are easy to grab
Oven and broiler safe to 600 degrees
Can hold a 20-pound turkey
On the heavy side
At just under 9 pounds, this 16.5-inch roaster is one of the heaviest on this list. If you’re planning to cook lots of heavy turkeys or large cuts of beef, you might appreciate the extra durable strength and sturdiness of this pan—it can hold up to a 20-pound turkey with ease. The pan’s handles are upright, dual riveted, and large so you can easily and comfortably grip them with oven mitts. The handles on the included rack are also extra roomy, extending well over the edges of the pan so it’s easy to remove heavy roasts from the pan.
The pan is made of tri-ply stainless steel surrounding an aluminum core and is oven-safe up to 600 degrees. Like similarly constructed stainless steel pans on this list, the Hestan roasting pan is praised for distributing heat quickly and evenly. This sturdy pan is available in two sizes, so if the 16.5-inch large roaster is too much pan for your household, opt for the smaller 14.5-inch version which can accommodate a 15-pound turkey. This pan can go from oven to broiler to stovetop, and is also dishwasher safe for easy clean up.
Price at time of publish: $158
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The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Material: Stainless steel | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Stovetop Safe: Yes | Includes Rack: Yes | Maximum Temperature: 600 degrees | Weight: 9 pounds
When roasting poultry or meats, experiment with utilizing both high and low temperatures. The latter will yield a more tender, juicier roast, while short bursts of high temperatures will help you achieve the desired crispy skin or surface browning.
Best Nonstick
All-Clad Stainless Steel Nonstick Roasting Pan With Rack
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Amazon
Can handle a 25-pound turkey
High pan sides minimize splatter
Large riveted handles for carrying ease
Nonstick is susceptible to scratches
If you’re a fan of nonstick-coated cookware but also appreciate the aesthetic of stainless steel, this is the roasting pan for you. It features a luxe, highly polished stainless steel exterior and a PFOA-free nonstick coated cooking surface. Owners of the pan say cleaning the nonstick interior is a breeze since food releases easily and it’s also dishwasher safe.
In our Lab tests, this roaster did great—roast chicken came out evenly cooked with a crispy skin on top, and the potatoes—while not as evenly crispy and browned as we prefer—were tender and creamy on the inside. We were also able to make gravy right on the stovetop, with excellent consistency and even cooking.
The pan is 16 inches long, has up to a 25-pound capacity, comes with a V-shaped nonstick rack, and is oven safe up to 500 degrees. Upright, riveted stainless steel handles provide stability in lifting heavy dishes out of the oven, and the high pan sides help minimize splatters. As with all nonstick cookware, you’ll want to avoid using metal utensils since they can scratch the nonstick coating.
Price at time of publish: $200
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The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Material: Stainless steel with nonstick coating | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Stovetop Safe: Yes | Includes Rack: Yes | Maximum Temperature: 500 degrees | Weight: 9 pounds
Best Budget
Rachael Ray 16" x 13" Roaster with Dual-Height Rack
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Target
Generously sized, yet lightweight
Flat rack is reversible
Easy to clean
Straight sides make it difficult to pour
Only oven safe to 450 degrees
Rachael Ray does it again with stylish and functional cookware at a very accessible price point. This nonstick-coated steel roaster measures 16 x 13 inches, sized large enough to hold a 20-pound turkey or roast. It features riveted stainless steel handles for secure transport in and out of the oven, large enough to grip securely even with oven mitts on. The pan comes with a reversible flat rack which lets you choose if you want your protein to sit higher or lower. The roaster can also be used directly on the stovetop to make gravy with pan drippings and is oven-safe up to 450 degrees.
In our Lab tests, this roasting pan did exceptionally well—the potatoes browned and cooked very evenly while the chicken stayed juicy and cooked to perfection. We noted that the straight sides of the pan made it a little tricky to pour from, i.e. when transferring gravy to a bowl, but it wasn't a dealbreaker.
Due to its nonstick coating, this roasting pan is also very easy to clean by hand—important, since it's not dishwasher safe. While the pan's maximum heat threshold tops out at 450 degrees, it's enough to cover almost any roasting and baking needs and comes with a lifetime guarantee.
Price at time of publish: $40
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The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Material: Alloy steel | Dishwasher Safe: No | Stovetop Safe: Yes | Includes Rack: Yes | Maximum Temperature: 450 degrees | Weight: 4.86 pounds
Most Durable
Cuisinart MultiClad Pro Stainless 16-Inch Rectangular Roaster with Rack
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Target
Professional quality
Dishwasher safe
Plenty of room for a roast and sides
Stovetop safe but only on medium high
Metal tools should be avoided
When it comes to roasting pans that will last, this model from Cuisinart fits the bill. This hefty pan weighs in at 10 pounds and comes with a U-shaped roasting rack that can hold a large turkey or roast with ease. The handles are securely riveted for easy maneuvering, and the triply-ply stainless steel construction is suitable for any stovetop, including induction.
In our Lab, our tester found this to be a really high-quality roasting pan with a strong performance. Roasted potatoes came out crispy and brown, while the resulting chicken was amazingly juicy. Even with a roast or chicken in the pan, there was still plenty of room to add our favorite root vegetables to cook at the same time. The heavy-duty construction means this pan is a real workhorse and can go from oven to stovetop for a thorough deglazing to create your favorite pan gravy. We also noted that the pan's bottom surface is flat from edge to edge, making it easy to deglaze and scrape, but want to caution that metal tools should be avoided to protect the pan's surface.
All in all, it's a sturdy roasting pan that is exceedingly easy to clean and seems to have the potential to last for a lifetime with proper care. If you tend to roast often and for a crowd, this is the pan for you.
Price at time of publish: $130
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The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Material: Stainless steel | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Stovetop Safe: Yes | Includes Rack: Yes | Maximum Temperature: 500 degrees | Weight: 10 pounds
Best Oven-to-Table
Le Creuset Signature Roaster
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Amazon
Enameled cast iron retains heat well
Perfect for roasting as well as slow-cooking
Available in a variety of colors
Roasting rack not included
Heavy
Expensive
Le Creuset is renowned for its line of high-performance enameled cast iron Dutch ovens available in a rainbow assortment of colors. Its roasting pan is a favorite among chefs, food bloggers, and other food experts for being durable and attractive and for having superior heat distribution and retention. This roaster has excellent heating performance at both low and high temperatures, making it a multi-functional vessel for recipes that require slow-cooking, braising, searing, and caramelization.
The roasting pan is available in several colors so you can match it to your kitchen decor or other Le Creuset pieces. With a colorful exterior and spacious size, this roasting pan can also be used as a serving dish. Besides looking good, the enameled cast iron is easy to keep clean. Jessica Formicola, recipe creator and founder of the food blog Savory Experiments, chooses this roaster as her go-to because of the ease of care. She says the enameled cast iron “rarely scratches” and “doesn’t have the same care as bare cast iron.”
At 8.8 pounds this roasting pan is on the heavy side and lacks a cooking rack, which may be a turn-off for some home cooks. This roasting pan is on the expensive end, but Le Creuset owners tend to become devotees, keeping their pieces for a lifetime and even passing them down to younger generations.
Price at time of publish: $305
Material: Enameled cast iron | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Stovetop Safe: Yes | Includes Rack: No | Maximum Temperature: 450 degrees | Weight: 3 pounds
If you’re looking for a well-built roasting pan that was designed with a chef's needs in mind, opt for the Made In Roasting Pan, our Best Overall pick. For an affordable option that is sturdy, lightweight, and easy to clean, we like the Rachael Ray Roaster with Dual Height Rack.
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The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
How We Tested
Our Lab tested 18 roasting pans side-by-side to determine the best of the best. Each of the roasting pans was evaluated based on its design, construction, and overall value. We then put the pans to the test in our Lab, where we carefully analyzed how each model performed in the kitchen. Gathering our data—along with feedback from home testers—we assigned ratings to each pan to determine their placement on this list. These tests included:
- Roasting a whole chicken and potatoes
- Ease of maneuverability
- Evaluation of browning and development of fond
- Ease of deglazing and making pan gravy
- Durability
- Cleanup
What to Look For in a Roasting Pan
Size
When thinking about what size roasting pan you need, consider what type of food you want to roast. If you like to cook up a gigantic turkey for the holidays, you’ll need a large pan, but if you’re just planning to roast chickens, vegetables, and other smaller dishes, a smaller one may be sufficient. Also, consider how much storage space you have.
Shape
Consider the shape and design of a roasting pan before purchasing. A roasting pan that has a raised bottom will be harder to use on the stovetop for preparing sauce and gravy, as liquids will collect around the edges of the pan.
Material
Roasters are made from a variety of materials, and each will cook your foods slightly differently and require different methods of care. You’ll also want to choose something that isn’t too heavy for your needs. Stainless steel cookware is highly durable and offers longevity. Nonstick roasters may be prone to chips and scratches that require more frequent replacement. Certain materials, like cast iron, produce heavier cookware that will require more muscle to move between oven and table. Remember: A heavy roasting pan will only be that much heavier once you place a large piece of meat or turkey in it!
Features
Do you want a lid with your roaster? How about a roasting rack? There are models that come with both, as well as those that are just bare-bones. Also, when looking at a pan, check to see what type of handles it has and if you find them comfortable to use.
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The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
FAQs
What is a roasting pan and how does it work?
A roasting pan is typically a large, oven-safe pan with high sides that often includes a rack. These sturdy pans are usually made of thick aluminum or stainless steel in order to support the weight of a turkey, chicken, or other large pieces of meat. The rack holds the meat just above the pan, allowing hot air to flow all around it and enabling even cooking; the rack also allows excess fat and liquid to drain off and prevents a half-braise, half-roast situation by keeping the meat from sitting in its own juices.
How do you clean a roasting pan?
Nonstick roasting pans will be easiest to clean with mild dishwashing soap and a non-abrasive scrubber (this also helps to protect your nonstick coating). For pans without a nonstick layer, you can use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar to loosen any bits of burnt food, followed by soaking the pan in warm water to further loosen any debris. If your pan is dishwasher safe, you can then put it into the machine, but since roasting pans take up a lot of space, hand washing might be preferable. Always consult the manufacturer's instructions on how best to clean and maintain your roasting pan.
Should you put water in a roasting pan?
It depends on what you're cooking. Adding water to the roasting pan can create steam that works against the "roasting" action of the oven's dry heat, particularly if your roasting pan is covered during cooking. The addition of a little bit of water to an uncovered roaster may help keep pan drippings from scorching, but too much water might make a soggy mess. Keep an eye on your roast-in-progress—if the bottom of the pan looks bone dry, you may want to add just a little bit of water to prevent burning and control any smoking that might start to happen towards the end of the cooking process.
What size roasting pan do you need for a turkey?
For small turkeys (12 pounds and under), you'll need a 14-inch pan. Medium birds (12 to 16 pounds) will require a 16-inch pan, and larger turkeys (up to 20 pounds) should fit an 18-inch roaster. If you need help navigating how to roast a turkey, here's a step-by-step guide to a Thanksgiving turkey preparation.
Does a roasting pan need a rack?
Ideally, yes, but if it didn't come with one, you can make one. The purpose of a roasting rack is to provide a way for the oven's heat to flow under your roast, so you just want to keep your meat lifted off the bottom of the pan. You can add a bed of root vegetables, an oven-proof cooling rack, two gas stovetop burners wrapped in tinfoil, or create three or four tightly rolled foil cylinders to lay on the bottom of your pan—get creative.
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The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Why Trust The Spruce Eats
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Sharon Lehman, the author of this roundup, knows the importance of trusted cookware. She has owned and used cookware from several brands on this roundup including All-Clad, Anolon, Cuisinart, Calphalon, Le Creuset, and GraniteWare. When it comes to prepping a weeknight roast chicken and the annual Thanksgiving turkey (her favorite!), she reaches for the top-rated Cuisinart Chef’s Classic roasting pan.
This piece was edited by Bernadette Machard de Gramont, an LA-based writer who specializes in global food and wine content. She researches and tests a variety of cookware, bakeware, and wine tools, and interviews field experts for their insight. She's also incorporated all testing results from our Lab.
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