The Best Roasting Pans

Many people only drag out their roasting pan once a year in order to cook a nice, juicy turkey. But, this high-walled pan is such a useful addition to your kitchen all year round that it doesn't deserve the cruel punishment of being stashed away for a year between uses. A roasting pan is the perfect cooking vessel for a number of meats. You can use yours to cook up delicious chicken, ham, fish, and roasts. It's also great for roasting vegetables, making one-pot meals, and cooking a large batch of enchiladas. No matter what you have inside, the roasting pan has been designed to circulate the air around your food, helping it to heat evenly. They're so versatile that you'll find yourself reaching for it often. To help you find the perfect roasting pan to add to your kitchen, here are some of the best ones available. You won't be disappointed with any of them.

Circulon Nonstick Roasting Pan

Easy to Clean

You won't be stuck scrubbing drippings and food off of this roasting pan after the meal because the high-quality nonstick coating makes clean-up a breeze.
Best Overall

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Looking for a durable pan and rack set for all of your roasting needs? You can’t go wrong with this one from Circulon. It’s made from heavy-duty steel that will hold up to use year after year. The inside has been coated with a superior nonstick coating that releases food easily when it’s done cooking. This means you’ll spend less time cleaning when you cook things in it.

When you’re using a roasting pan to cook meat, you want to promote air circulation. The included rack helps you do just that so that your meat turns out juicy every time. This rack goes into the pan easily, and it helps keep your food from touching the bottoms and sides. Its convenient U-shape keeps your meat up and out of the drippings. You can also use this pan without the rack. It’s so large that you can use it to cook up a nice batch of lasagna or a huge casserole for a crowd if you’re so inclined.

Pros

  • Wide, sturdy handles so that you can easily remove it from the oven
  • Oven safe to 450 degrees Fahrenheit so that you can get things started in a hot oven
  • Holds up to 24 pounds without wavering or bending

Cons

  • Though this pan is technically dishwasher-safe, running non-stick cookware through the dishwasher isn’t recommended. So it’s best to plan on washing this by hand to extend its life expectancy
  • It’s really large and may require you to pull out an oven shelf to make room. Try to fit it into your oven when everything is cold so you can easily make adjustments without getting burned

Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Stainless Rectangular Roaster

Shiny Stainless Steel

This beautiful roasting pan will look great if you decide to bring it to the table for serving.
Best Stainless Steel

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When you’re roasting food, you want it to roast, not boil. With that in mind, you should use a rack for this type of cooking because it keeps the food out of the liquid. This roasting pan provides plenty of space underneath to hold your meat up and out of the drippings below.

After your food is done, the thick, riveted handles make it simple to remove it from the oven. They won’t feel wobbly as you pull it out and position it somewhere to rest. Once you remove the meat, you can easily pour the drippings into a pan to make a quick gravy. The pan is designed in such a way that you won’t wind up with grease all over your kitchen floor from the pour, which is an important feature. No one wants to take time to clean hot grease up when they’re trying to get dinner on the table.

Pros

  • Stainless steel construction that’s durable and looks great
  • Easy to clean, you can use a little elbow grease and the dishwasher since it doesn’t have a non-stick surface to worry about
  • Extra-large capacity that can easily hold a 20-pound turkey or a large ham

Cons

  • The handles stick out pretty far from the sides of the pan, which makes storage a bit tricky. This will take up a lot of space in your cupboard

All-Clad Hard Anodized Roaster

I Can Handle the Heat

You can safely use this roasting pan in ovens up to 500 degrees.
Best Heavy Duty

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You will not regret spending the money on this heavy-duty roasting pan from All-Clad. It will quickly become a staple in your kitchen, and you’ll wonder how you ever got along without it. The hard-anodized aluminum pan heats quickly and evenly to ensure your food comes out perfectly. This material can also handle some heat, so you can safely use it in a hot (500 degrees Fahrenheit) oven. The V-shaped roasting rack can support up to 25 pounds and keep the meat propped up and out of the juices below. With tall, straight sides, you’ll experience fewer spills and splatters as you’re moving the food in and out of the oven.

When it’s time to take your food out, you’ll appreciate the design of the handles. They’re easy to grip – even when you’re wearing oven mitts. After dinner is finished, you’ll find this pan easy to clean. The premium non-stick coating releases food easily.

Pros

  • Large roaster (13-inches by 16-inches) that can hold a large turkey or enough food for a crowd
  • PFOA-free nonstick coating that’s scratch-resistant so it lasts longer
  • Warp-resistant, this pan will keep its shape for years to come

Cons

  • Higher price point than many other roasting pans, but it is high quality
  • It’s really heavy, so when it’s loaded with a lot of food and it’s really hot, you might have trouble getting it up and out of your oven

P&P CHEF Roasting Pan with Rack

Maximize Your Space

This roasting pan comes with a V-shaped rack that leaves plenty of space underneath your meat to cook some vegetables.
Best Rack

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If you prefer to use a roasting pan that you can safely put into the dishwasher, here’s a great option. It’s made from 100% stainless steel, which washes well in the dishwasher. Additionally, stainless steel doesn’t have any toxic coatings, so you can feel confident using this pan to cook food for your entire family. The pan is constructed from heavy gauge materials, so it’ll last you for years.

What’s more, while the pan is pretty amazing, the rack is even better. It’s got a unique, steep V-shape design that keeps your meat out of the drippings while still providing plenty of room at the bottom of the pan, This means there’s plenty of room for cooking vegetables at the same time. Talk about convenience. The awesome rack is made from thick wires and welded solidly for strength. It can hold a turkey without bending or warping out of shape. Also, the edges are rounded to help keep you from getting scratched.

Pros

  • Deep sides (3.7-inches) that give you plenty of room inside for multi-layer dishes
  • Comes with two racks: a V-shaped one, and a flat baking rack you can use for cooling and baking in your kitchen
  • Dishwasher-safe for easy clean up
  • Smooth edges all the way around so you won’t catch your finger on anything sharp when you’re washing it

Cons

  • A bit smaller than other roasting pans (13 inches long by 9.8 inches wide) so it won’t hold as large of a turkey as some others

Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Rectangular Roaster

Lasts Practically Forever

You'll be using this cast iron roasting pan to create delicious meals for decades to come.
Premium Pick

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Are you looking for a roasting pan that you can safely move from the oven to the stove top? This Le Creuset roaster will make your dreams come true. It’s made from enameled cast iron, which can work on your stove top, on an induction burner, in your oven, and even on your grill. In other words, you can use this anywhere. That means once you pull out your turkey or chicken, you can place it on the stove to make your gravy right inside. You won’t have to get another pan dirty or deal with pouring hot drippings. It’s so versatile.

The inside is nonreactive, so you can cook just about anything in there. The exterior features a colorful enamel that is resistant to chips and cracks. This pan will stay looking great for a long time. Cast iron is one of the most durable products for your kitchen, so you may even be able to pass this roasting pan along to your kids if you care for it properly. You’ll be able to cook so many delicious meals in it.

Pros

  • Enameled cast iron is easy to clean if you let caked-on food soak for a few minutes before you start washing
  • Very sturdy pan that won’t bend with weight inside
  • Versatile addition to your kitchen, you can use it on the stove, in the oven, and pretty much anywhere else
  • Beautiful color options for the external enamel, so pick one that makes you happy

Cons

  • Fairly expensive, but it will last a lifetime, so you wont’ have to replace it
  • Only 5.25-quart, which is better for roasting a chicken, not a turkey
  • Doesn’t come with a rack – you’ll need to purchase one separately if you want one

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you clean the roasting rack from a roasting pan?

One of my least favorite parts of roasting meat is washing all of the nooks and crannies on the roasting pan. It feels like it takes forever to get all of the bits of meat and grease off of it. To help make this process go more smoothly, you can try this method. First, give your rack time to soak. If it won’t get submerged in your sink, turn it upside down in a large pan that you’ve filled with hot soapy water. Then let it sit to loosen everything. With a non-scratch sponge, carefully clean each wire to remove anything that’s left.

Do I need to grease my roasting pan?

If your roasting pan has a non-stick surface, there’s no reason to grease it before use. Being able to cook with less fat is one of the benefits of non-stick cookware. However, if your roasting pan isn’t non-stick, you will want to grease it well before use with some non-stick cooking spray, a thin coat of oil, or some butter. This will help keep things from sticking while they roast.