What size roasting pan do I need?
A 16-inch roasting pan suits most home cooks and holds about a 16-pound turkey. A 14-inch pan takes about 12 pounds; an 18-inch, 20 to 24 pounds, if your oven has room for it.
Sizes by household
| Cooking for | Size | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Small households or a small oven | 14 in | Vegetables, potatoes or sausages; a turkey of about 12 lb (Made In) |
| Most households | 16 in | Meat and vegetables in one pan; a turkey of about 16 lb (Made In) |
| Holidays and crowds | 18 in | A 20 to 24 lb turkey (Made In’s 18-inch takes up to 24 lb) |
Measure the inside of your oven before buying an 18-inch pan, handles included, and pick a pan with a rack so the meat sits above its juices.
On this page
Depth and a rack
Made In's advice is to watch the depth as well as the length: too deep and the food steams instead of browning, too shallow and the juices slop when you lift it out. A removable rack keeps the meat out of its drippings, which can then flavor vegetables roasting underneath.
Pans we list, measured
Only the makers' own measurements are shown. Tap a heading to sort.
| All-Clad D3 Stainless Large Flared Roaster with Rack and Two Turkey Forks, 13 x 16 in | 2.5 in | 18.5 in | 13.7 in | 20 lb | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not included |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demeyere Industry 5 Roasting Pan with rack, 48740 | 3.15 in | 18.31 in | 13.78 in | Not stated | 8.45 US qt | 25 | 16 | Not included |
| Made In Stainless Clad Roasting Pan with Rack | 5.98 in | 18.46 in | 12.5 in | 24 lb | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not included |
Capacity to scale
Volume scale: 0–8.45 US qt. The blue fill shows three-quarters full, the level the portion columns use.
Estimate liquid portions from capacity using your own fill level, or measure a pan you already own.
Questions before you choose
How is a roasting pan's size measured?
Across the pan, not corner to corner: Made In measures its 14, 16 and 18-inch pans width-wise. The handles stick out beyond that, so measure the inside of your oven, handles included, before you buy an 18-inch pan.
How deep should a roasting pan be?
Deep enough to hold the juices, shallow enough for the heat to reach the food. Made In says a pan that is too deep stops food browning, and one that is too shallow spills when you braise or add liquid.
Do I need a rack?
For meat, yes. Made In recommends a removable rack: it keeps a bird or roast above the juices so it browns all over instead of going soggy, and vegetables underneath cook in the drippings.