Recipe: Perfectly Upsidedown Bird

Yes, it works. Yes, it’s delicious. Yes, your neighbors in the RV park will be jealous.

Cooking a turkey in a convection microwave oven sounds like something you’d do only out of desperation or RV-life chaos… but hear me out: it’s one of the best, juiciest, most reliable holiday hacks you’ll ever try.

And cooking it upside down? That’s the secret no one tells you. It turns an otherwise “fine” turkey into a shockingly tender, self-basting masterpiece—even in the RV's convection oven AKA microwave.

Whether you're full-timing in a motorhome, cooking in a small apartment, or simply want a no-drama Thanksgiving bird, this guide has you covered.

🦃 Why Cook a Turkey Upside Down?

Most people roast turkeys breast-side up—then complain that the white meat is dry.

But when you flip the bird (literally), magic happens:

✔️ The juices travel down into the breasts

Gravity does the basting for you.

✔️ The turkey cooks more evenly

The thighs get the direct heat, which they actually need.

✔️ No need for constant basting

The convection fan circulates heat so beautifully that the turkey basically cooks itself.

✔️ The breast stays unbelievably tender

Like… people will accuse you of brining tender.

✔️ It fits better

Most convection microwaves don’t have the height for a whole turkey sitting upright. Upside down = more space to work with.

🧂 What Size Turkey Works?

In a convection microwave oven, aim for:

9–12 pounds (the sweet spot).

Anything larger might fit, but you won’t get optimal airflow or browning.

🥕 Ingredients

• 1 whole bird (9–12 lbs works best in a convection microwave)

• Brine (see Day 1)

• Salted butter

• Fresh rosemary, thyme, and sage

• Green apples, sliced

• Yellow onion, quartered

• Minced garlic

• Root veggies and gourds, sliced

  • Carrots

  • Sweet potatoes

  • Parsnips

  • Acorn squash

  • Pie pumpkin

  • (Optional: beets — amazing, but they’ll turn everything pink)

🍽️ Equipment Needed

• Convection microwave–safe roasting pan

• Oven-safe rack (optional but helpful)

• Foil

• Meat thermometer

🔥 How to Cook a Turkey Upside Down in a Convection Microwave Oven

STEPS: 2-Day Process

DAY 1 — Brine + Prep

1. Brine the Bird

I use this dry brine method from Delish (link in the blog) and it has never failed me.Dry brining = crispier skin, juicier meat, and no messy buckets of liquid sloshing around your RV.

2. Slice the Veggies

Chop all your root vegetables and gourds ahead of time: carrots, sweet potatoes, parsnips, acorn squash, pie pumpkin—whatever fall flavors you love.

Lay your rosemary and thyme sprigs directly on the cut veggies.They’ll begin absorbing that herby goodness overnight.

3. DO NOT Stuff the Bird Yet

We want the brine to work its magic, not create a soggy interior.

Place the bird uncovered in the fridge overnight for maximum crisping power.

DAY 2 — Dress the Bird

1. Butter Under the Skin

This step feels gross. I know. Raw poultry is a sensory nightmare, but getting salted butter between the skin and meat is the secret weapon of every juicy holiday bird. Really want to kick it up a notch?! Compound your butter with rosemary!

Want to skip the calories? Skip the butter. But I’ll be honest—the flavor payoff is worth it.

(Note: If you're only making a smaller chicken or turkey breast in a pressure cooker, you can skip butter entirely. Pressure cooking keeps everything moist regardless.)

See my blog “Thanksgiving, Party of Six Recipes” for the fast pressure-cooked version of this big guy.

2. Garlic the Interior

Rub the inside cavity with minced garlic. The flavor will steam into the meat from the inside out.

3. Stuff the Cavity

Now fill the inside of the bird with:

• Sliced green apples

• Yellow onion

• Carrots

• Sweet potatoes

• Fresh rosemary, thyme, sage

This combo releases sweetness, moisture, and all the cozy fall aromas while roasting.

(Beets are fantastic here but they WILL dye your turkey pink. Fair warning. And it's hard to tell what is beet stain and raw meat.)

4. Line the Pan or Pot

If roasting:

Line the outside of the roasting pan with sliced acorn squash, pie pumpkin, onion, and any remaining root veggies.

If pressure-cooking:

Line the inside of the pot with these veggies instead.

Either way, they act as a flavor bed AND keep the turkey from sticking.

5. Add ALL the Fresh Herbs

Tuck rosemary, thyme, and sage into every nook and cranny—under the wings, along the backbone, around the thighs.

This does two things:

1. Makes your RV smell like a five-star farmhouse kitchen.

2. Infuses the bird with a depth of flavor you won’t believe came from a convection microwave.

6. Cook according to your birds weight.

TIP: At the very end.. I mean when there's 10 min left on your timer... Turn that bird over. Yes. I said it. The reason is.... You can still achieve a beautifully browned bird by turning it over and letting the skin crisp.

🍗 What to Expect: Flavor & Results

✨ The white meat will be unbelievably juicy

Enough to make every dry-turkey trauma disappear.

✨ The dark meat will fall off the bone

Like, grandma-would-be-proud fall off the bone.

✨ The convection microwave gives a surprisingly even roast

Don’t underestimate that little countertop powerhouse.

🚌 Perfect for RV Life or Small Kitchens

This method is ideal when:

• You don’t have a full oven

• You’re cooking while traveling

• You want a smaller, faster holiday meal

• You need space for other dishes

• You don’t want to heat the entire RV into a sauna

💡 Pro Tips

• Use a shallow pan, not a tall one—airflow is everything.

• If your microwave has a turntable, remove it and use a flat surface if allowed by your manual.

• Use convection-only mode if you prefer crispier skin.

• Don’t skip the resting time. Ever.

• Save the drippings—they make 5-star gravy.

🎉 Final Thoughts

Cooking a turkey upside down in a convection microwave oven might sound unconventional, but once you try it, you may never go back. It’s easy, fast, RV-friendly, and the results are honestly shockingly good.

Whether you’re parked lakeside, in a resort campground, or boondocking somewhere stunning—this is the perfect “holiday on the road” turkey.

Want me to turn this into a downloadable recipe card, Pinterest graphic, or printable version for your website?