FAQs
According to the USDA, for an unstuffed turkey roasting at 325 degrees, you should allow 2¾ to 3 hours for an 8- to 12-pound turkey; 3 to 3¾ hours for a 12- to 14-pounder; 3¾ to 4¼ hours for a 14- to 18-pounder; 4¼ to 4½ hours for an 18- to 20-pounder and 4½ to 5 hours for an 20- to 24-pounder.
Is it better to cook a turkey at 325 or 350? ›
We recommend roasting turkey at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 13 minutes per pound for an unstuffed turkey. We've done the math for you — check out the chart below to determine both turkey cook times and estimated servings (with leftovers!).
How long does a 15 lb turkey take to cook? ›
For a 15- to 16-pound turkey: 425°F for 3 to 3¼ hours. 400°F for 3¼ to 3½ hours. 350°F for 3½ to 3¾ hours.
How long to cook a 13 lb turkey at 350 degrees? ›
The most straightforward approach is to roast an unstuffed turkey, breast-side up, for 13 minutes per pound of turkey at 350°. That works out to approximately 3 hours for a 12- to 14-pound bird (a 12-pound turkey is pretty standard).
Is it 15 or 20 minutes per pound for turkey? ›
How Long to Cook a Turkey per Pound. The general rule is 15 to 20 minutes per pound of turkey when cooking an unstuffed turkey. If family tradition calls for roasting a stuffed turkey, though, try cooking it according to the chart above based on its size.
Is it better to cook a turkey covered or uncovered? ›
To achieve a perfectly golden, juicy turkey, let the bird spend time both covered and uncovered in the oven. We recommend covering your bird for most of the cooking time to prevent it from drying out; then, during the last 30 minutes or so of cooking, remove the cover so the skin crisps in the hot oven.
How long does it take to cook a 20lb turkey at 325 in the oven? ›
It's done when the thermometer reads 165ºF.
A 20 pound turkey will take between 4 to 4 1/2 hours to come to temperature if your oven is 325°F. Here are some other cook times if your bird weighs differently: 10-12 pounds: cook 2 3/4 to 3 hours at 325°F. 15-16 pounds: cook 3 1/2 to 4 hours at 325°F.
Do you cook a butterball turkey at 325 or 350? ›
Preheat oven to 325° F. Drain juices and pat dry with clean paper towels. Place turkey breast-side-up on a flat rack in a shallow roasting pan 2 to 2½ inches deep. Turn the wings back to hold the neck skin in place.
How many people will a 15 lb turkey feed? ›
You'll want to plan on about 1.25 pounds of turkey per person. That means if you're expecting 12 guests, plan for a 15-pound bird. To make things simple, we've created a guide to help you pick the perfect-sized turkey for your Thanksgiving dinner menu.
How long does it take for a 15 lb turkey in the refrigerator? ›
It takes 24 hours for every four to five pounds of weight for a turkey to thaw in the refrigerator (a 15-pound turkey will take three days to thaw in your refrigerator). A completely thawed turkey can remain in the refrigerator for one or two days before cooking.
Your turkey will cook more evenly and faster if you start it out at room temperature so remove the turkey from the refrigerator 1 hour before roasting. If you plan to stuff your turkey, wait until you're ready to put it in the oven before putting the stuffing in the turkey.
What is the best temperature to cook a turkey? ›
Begin by roasting your turkey at 425°F for 40 to 45 minutes before lowering the temperature of the oven to 350°F for the rest of the cooking time. Like the other method, it's a good idea to brush the turkey every 15 to 20 minutes with butter or olive oil to help the surface brown and keep the meat moist.
What is the best way to season a turkey? ›
Our favorite way to season a turkey is through a dry brine. This simply involves rubbing a seasoning mix (like salt, pepper, dried herbs, and maybe spices) all over — and inside — the turkey well before you are going to roast it.
How many hours does a 15 pound turkey take? ›
How Long To Cook A Turkey: A Pound-By-Pound Guide
| How Long To Cook Your Turkey |
|---|
| 12 - 14 pounds | 3 hours - 3 hours, 45 minutes |
| 14 - 18 pounds | 3 hours, 45 minutes - 4 hours, 15 minutes |
| 18 - 20 pounds | 4 hours, 15 minutes - 4 hours, 30 minutes |
| 20 - 24 pounds | 4 hours, 30 minutes - 5 hours |
2 more rowsOct 20, 2023
Check these places on your turkey and look for these temperatures:
- 180°F in thigh.
- 170°F in breast.
- 165°F in stuffing.
Refrigerator Thawing (Recommended)
The USDA recommends thawing your turkey in the refrigerator. This is the safest method because the turkey will thaw at a consistent, safe temperature. This method takes some time, so allow one day for each 4 - 5 pounds of weight.
What is the best temperature to cook a turkey to keep it moist? ›
Oven-Roasted Turkey
We recommend starting the turkey in a 425 degree oven for 30-45 minutes before tenting the pan with foil and lowering the temperature to 350 degrees until a meat thermometer reads 165 degrees when inserted into the thickest part of the bird.
Is it better to cook a turkey at a low temperature or a high temperature? ›
"A low temperature will cook the meat very nicely inside and keep it juicy without drying it but you want to high temperature at some point whether it's at the beginning of the end to crisp up the skin and the melted butter to get an extra crispy skin," Guillard says.
What is the best setting for cooking a turkey? ›
Begin by roasting your turkey at 425°F for 40 to 45 minutes before lowering the temperature of the oven to 350°F for the rest of the cooking time. Like the other method, it's a good idea to brush the turkey every 15 to 20 minutes with butter or olive oil to help the surface brown and keep the meat moist.
