Overnight Roast Turkey The night before serving, wash and clean the completely thawed out turkey. Preheat oven to 500 degrees F. Have ready a cheesecloth large enough to wrap around the turkey or an old white pillow case. Melt enough butter to coat cheesecloth or pillow case. Place wrapped turkey in roaster. Add 1 cup hot water to bottom and cover with lid or foil. Place in oven; reheat to 500 degrees F and cook for 1 hour. (Do not open oven any time after placing turkey in to cook.) When 1 hour is up, turn off oven and turkey will be done the next morning. If desired, brown the turkey more by turning oven on at 375 degrees F before serving. The turkey will be very moist and tender.