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    Home » Seasonal » Fall

    DIY Roasting Rack

    Published: Nov 24, 2024 · Post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    two photo collage with turkey in a disposable roasting pan that says easy, disposable, under $5, quick DIY Roasting Rack.

    How to make a DIY roasting rack with aluminum foil. Hack your Thanksgiving with this tutorial on How to Make a Homemade Roasting Rack. Perfect for a DIY, budget-friendly Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, Christmas, or other holiday meal.

    turkey in a DIY roasting rack that is seasoned, stuffed with herbs and lemon, and surrounded by chopped onions.
    Jump to:
    • About DIY Roasting Rack
    • What To Use
    • How to Make a Roasting Rack Out of Aluminum Foil
    • FAQ
    • DIY Roasting Rack Tips
    • Homemade Roasting Rack

    About DIY Roasting Rack

    While some people claim that a real roasting rack is included in essential kitchen tools, there are a number of reasons why you might not want or have one. 

    Personally, limited kitchen storage and cost keep me from buying a roasting rack to use once a year for a thanksgiving turkey. (Speaking of thanksgiving, don't skip my all-time favorite side dish Thanksgiving Roasted Vegetables!)

    If you can relate, you will love this simple yet impressive hack for making your own roasting rack for cooking meat costing less than $5.

    With a little ingenuity though, you can cook a whole turkey, whole chicken, piece of beef, or whole ham in this DIY roasting rack. No fancy cookware needed.

    disposable oven roasting pan next to a roll of aluminum foil with text overlay.

    What To Use

    Baking sheet: This is likely something you already have in your kitchen, and you'll use it to hold the disposable pan. That way, you don't have to worry about the pan collapsing from the heavy turkey as you remove it from the oven.

    Foil: Basic or heavy-duty foil both work well. You might have to double up on piece of foil if you are using regular and a large piece of meat.

    Disposable Roaster Pan: Look for a roasting pan with taller sides. I prefer the round/oval roasting pan, but it's fine to use a rectangle roaster pan.

    The size I use is 16" x 13.13" x 3.13"

    There's no need to buy a more expensive one that has handles unless you don't have a baking sheet to place the pan on.

    Recipe Cost

    • Disposable Oval Rack Roaster: $1.24
    • Foil 25 square feet: $1.42

    TOTAL COST: $2.66 (Based on San Diego grocery stores 2024)

    Note that this is not the recipe; it's simply to show the cost breakdown of ingredients. Scroll down to the full recipe to see the specific ingredients and directions.

    How to Make a Roasting Rack Out of Aluminum Foil

    disposable roasting pan on a baking sheet.
    1. Step 1: Place the roaster pan on a baking sheet. Shape the pan to fit if needed.
    sheet of foil next to a disposable oven roasting pan.
    1. Step 2: Tear off a piece of foil that is the length of the longest part of the inside of the pan.
    a piece of rolled foil next to a disposable roasting pan on a white counter.
    1. Step 3: Roll it up. And repeat with another one the same length. Place in the bottom of the pan.
    sheet of rolled foil next to a disposable roasting pan on a baking sheet.
    1. Step 4: Tear off a sheet that is as wide as the widest inside part of the pan. Roll up, and repeat for a total of 4 smaller pieces.
    hand holding a piece of rolled foil over a DIY roasting rack.
    1. Step 5: Fold slightly at the middle of the shorter pieces.
    DIY roasting rack on a white countertop.
    1. Step 6: Place the smaller pieces in the opposite direction across the two long pieces.
    DIY roasting rack made from aluminum foil on a baking sheet with a white hand giving a thumbs up.
    1. Step 7: You did it!
    thanksgiving turkey in a DIY roasting rack that is seasoned, stuffed with herbs and lemon, and surrounded by chopped onions.
    1. Step 8: Top with the seasoned meat and roast in the oven following your recipe's instructions.

    Recipe Tip

    Placing the disposable roasting pan on a baking sheet prevents the pan collapsing and gives you easy access when pulling it out of the oven.

    cooked thanksgiving turkey on a counter before cutting next to a casserole dish of squash casserole and stuffing.

    FAQ

    What can I use if I don't have a roasting rack?

    You can easily make a DIY roasting rack with only a disposable pan, aluminum foil, and a baking sheet. This is a great option if you don't have space or money to buy a roasting rack, and it can help promote more even cooking.

    Can you reuse a disposable roasting rack?

    The DIY roasting rack is meant to be for one time use and disposable. However, it's up to you if you can clean it well and want to reuse it.

    What's the silverware hack for a roasting pan?

    Some people use the silverware hack and place a row of spoons on the bottom of the roasting pan. This lifts the meat to promote even heat distribution and crispy skin.

    However, I like to use sheets of tin foil to turn into foil ropes. To me, it feels like you get more space from the bottom of the pan with thick ropes of foil as opposed to a row of upside down silverware.

    DIY roasting rack made of aluminum foil on white countertop.

    DIY Roasting Rack Tips

    • Depending on the size of the meat, you might want to use a little more foil so it doesn't squish under the weight.
    • Be sure when you're cooking your delicious roast that you follow food safety recommendations for minimum internal temperature. A meat thermometer is key when making the perfect roast to determine proper doneness.
    • This makeshift roasting rack takes about 10 minutes. Plus, it's disposable so it saves you a lot of hassle after your thanksgiving meal.
    four photo collage with pecan pie bars, thanksgiving roasted vegetables, Brussels sprouts dip, and a bowl of healthy cranberry sauce.

    Recipes!

    Diabetic-Friendly Thanksgiving Recipes

    Need more ideas for your thanksgiving menu? Try these nutritious ideas that pair perfectly with your turkey.

    Get the recipes →
    turkey in a DIY roasting rack that is seasoned, stuffed with herbs and lemon, and surrounded by chopped onions.

    Homemade Roasting Rack

    Hack your Thanksgiving with this tutorial on How to Make a Roasting Rack. No need to bother buying one that you use once a year; you can easily make your own!
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Rate
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Author: Meme
    Total Cost: $2.66

    Ingredients

    • Aluminum foil
    • Disposable roasting pan

    Instructions

    • Place your disposable roasting pan on a sturdy baking sheet. You might have to reshape the roasting pan to get it to fit on the baking sheet. Doing this will help keep the roasting pan from collapsing when there's a turkey in it.
      disposable roasting pan on a baking sheet.
    • Cut two long sheets of foil and roll them into logs. These will go in the roasting pan vertically.
      a piece of rolled foil next to a disposable roasting pan on a white counter.
    • Take four smaller sheets of foil and roll them into logs.
      sheet of rolled foil next to a disposable roasting pan on a baking sheet.
    • Slightly bend them in the middle and put them horizontally in the roasting pan.
      hand holding a piece of rolled foil over a DIY roasting rack.
    • Once the foil ropes are placed in the bottom of the pan, you are ready to use the DIY roasting pan.
      DIY roasting rack made from aluminum foil on a baking sheet with a white hand giving a thumbs up.

    What to Use in This Recipe

    silver baking sheet
    Baking Sheet
    Did you try this recipe?Be sure to leave a comment & recipe rating below. Bonus points for tagging @memeinge & #livingwellkitchen on Instagram! THANK YOU! xo

    This tutorial for a DIY Roasting Rack was originally published November 27, 2013. Photos and text have been updated.

    Meme


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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      November 25, 2014 at 10:27 am

      I've been seeing this tip around the internet for awhile now! It looks like a perfect idea!

      Reply
      • Meme

        November 25, 2014 at 2:41 pm

        It's super convenient, especially when you don't have space for a regular roasting rack

        Reply
    2. Jessica @ Nutritioulicious

      November 25, 2014 at 11:15 am

      You're so funny! I have a big kitchen, but still use a disposable roasting pan for Thanksgiving - easier cleanup!!

      Reply
      • Meme

        November 25, 2014 at 2:43 pm

        Haha thanks Jessica!! Easier cleanup is key, especially on Thanksgiving 🙂

        Reply
    3. Natalie Rizzo

      November 01, 2018 at 8:32 am

      5 stars
      Such a smart idea!

      Reply
    4. Holly Pelton

      November 04, 2018 at 7:45 am

      5 stars
      This is by far the most genius idea that costs next to nothing! I will be trying this very soon!

      Reply
    5. Liz Shaw

      November 04, 2018 at 7:00 pm

      5 stars
      Barbaric-shmarbaric. I've done this and it works! Great idea

      Reply
    6. Lorie

      November 04, 2018 at 9:09 pm

      5 stars
      You are so very clever--haven't seen this before!!!

      Reply
    7. Lindsey

      November 05, 2018 at 8:23 am

      5 stars
      Saving this for Thanksgiving!

      Reply
    8. Emily Kyle

      November 06, 2018 at 7:57 am

      5 stars
      My husband is in charge of cooking thanksgiving dinner, I'm going to share this with him!

      Reply
    9. Debra T. Cuozzo

      May 03, 2019 at 2:45 pm

      Can this be used for 6 pound corned beef brisket

      Reply
      • Meme

        May 17, 2019 at 3:48 pm

        I believe so! I used a 12 pound turkey, and it held up quite well 🙂

        Reply
    10. David Warner

      November 18, 2019 at 11:22 pm

      What can I substitute for a roasting rack?

      Reply
      • Meme

        November 19, 2019 at 7:06 am

        This is a homemade disposable roasting rack option if you do not have a roasting rack. Hope that helps!

        Reply
    5 from 6 votes

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    Meme holding Watson at a restaurant in san diego.

    Hi, I'm Meme!

    A thirty-something registered dietitian nutritionist here to help you enjoy food, make eating easier, and live free of diets & shame.

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