- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C).
- If stuffing the turkey, do so while the oven is preheating. Spoon stuffing lightly into turkey instead of packing firmly because stuffing expands while cooking. (Allow ½ cup (125 ml) of stuffing per pound (500 g) of turkey.)
- Place turkey breast-up on a rack in a shallow roasting pan.
- Roast uncovered, or loosely covered with foil. If you choose to baste your turkey, limit the number of times you open and close your oven (once per hour is sufficient).
- Turkey is cooked when the meat thermometer reads 170°F (77°C) for an unstuffed turkey, or 180°F (82°C) for a stuffed turkey and the juices run clear.Insert meat thermometer in the thickest part of the inner thigh, but not touching the bone.
- When roasting, any stuffing placed in the cavity of the bird should read and internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C).
- Remove the turkey from the oven when cooking is completed and let stand 20 minutes to allow the juices to set.
Approximate Timetable for Roasting a Turkey at 350°F (177°C)*
| Weight | Stuffed | Unstuffed |
|---|
8 – 10 lbs
(3.6 – 4.5 kg) | 2 h 40 min – 3 h 30 min | 2 h – 2 h 30 min |
11 – 13 lbs
(5.0 – 5.9 kg) | 3 h 40 min – 4 h 20 min | 2 h 45 min – 3 h 15 min |
14 – 16 lbs
(6.4 – 7.3 kg) | 4 h 40 min – 5 h 20 min | 3 h 30 min – 4 h |
17 – 19 lbs
(7.7 – 8.6 kg) | 5 h 40 min – 6 h 20 min | 4 h 15 min – 4 h 45 min |
20 – 22 lbs
(9.1 – 10.0 kg) | 6 h 40 min – 7 h 20 min | 5 h – 5 h 30 min |
23 – 24 lbs
(10.4 – 10.9 kg) | 7 h 40 min – 8 h | 5 h 45 min to 6 h |
*cooking times approximate at 350°F (177°C).
Cooking times may varydepending on: the temperature of the bird going into the oven, the accuracy of the oven’s thermostat, how many times the oven door is opened during roasting, the type and size of roasting pan used and the size of the turkey in relation to the size of the oven.
Download our Cooking Times quick fact sheet.
Convection Oven
- The Turkey Farmers of Canada recommend that consumers check with their manufacturer as to how much faster and hotter their oven might be compared to a conventional oven. Generally speaking, convection oven cooking temperatures should be 25-50°F (3.9-10°C) lower than conventional oven temperatures to prevent overbrowning due to surface drying. Convection cooking does typically cause greater moisture loss in turkey.
- The result of roasting a turkey is the same in conventional or convection ovens in that the turkey is done when the endpoint temperature is reached. Your turkey is done when a meat thermometer inserted into the thigh reads 180°F (82°C) for a stuffed turkey or 170°F (77°C) for an unstuffed turkey. The drumsticks should also move easily in the joints at this point.
- Avoid overcrowding in the oven when roasting in a convection oven as crowding may inhibit air circulation and slow cooking.
Approximate Timetable for Roasting a Turkey in a Convection Oven 300°F (149°C)
Cooking
Temperature | Weight
Unstuffed | Estimated
Cooking Time | Weight
Stuffed | Estimated
Cooking Time |
|---|
| 300ºF | 14-18 lbs. | 2¼ – 2½ hours | 14-18 lbs. | 2½ – 3 hours |
| 300ºF | 18-22 lbs. | 2½ – 3 hours | 18-22 lbs. | 3 – 3½ hours |
Using a Meat Thermometer
Prior to cooking, insert stem of oven-proof thermometer (stem will need to be at least 4 1/2″ (11 cm) long) into the thickest part of the inner thigh meat, not touching thigh bone. OR near end of cooking, remove from heat and insert instant-read thermometer stem or fork thermometer tines into inner thigh meat (as above). If stuffed, check stuffing temperature by inserting thermometer stem into centre of stuffing.
Always wash the tongs, plate and thermometer stem used in checking partially cooked meats/poultry before using again.
FAQs
Pat turkey dry with paper towel and season with salt and pepper. Roast turkey in 325 F oven for 20 minutes per pound or until a thermometer inserted into the thigh, the breast and the wing reaches a temperature of 170 F. After the first hour of cooking and every hour after that, brush the turkey with the pumpkin glaze.
What temperature should a whole turkey be Canada? ›
Canadian Turkey recommends cooking a whole turkey to an internal temperature of 170°F (77°C) in the thigh for an unstuffed turkey and 180°F (82°C) for a stuffed turkey. When roasting, any stuffing placed in the cavity of the bird should reach an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C).
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!).
Should you roast a whole 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.
Do you put water in the bottom of the roasting pan for turkey? ›
"Often, consumers will inquire about adding water to the bottom of their roasting pans. We do not recommend adding water to the bottom of the pan. Cooking a turkey with steam is a moist heat-cook method and is acceptable, sure, but is not the preferred method for cooking your turkey."
Should you use aluminum foil when cooking a turkey? ›
Curious if you should cover your turkey in foil? Roasting your Thanksgiving turkey is a great way to keep it flavorful and delicious. Cooking the turkey in Reynolds Wrap® Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil locks in moisture to prevent drying out while in the oven.
How long does it take to cook a 5 lb turkey at 325? ›
Regular Oven 325°
| Weight | Cook Time (Unstuffed) | Cook Time (Stuffed) |
|---|
| 3-5½ lbs. | 1½-2¼ hrs. | 2-2¾ hrs. |
| 5½-9 lbs. | 2¼-2¾ hrs. | 2¾-3¼ hrs. |
Calculate turkey cooking time and temperature. The simplest way to figure out turkey roasting times is to calculate 13 minutes per pound at 350°F for an unstuffed turkey (that's about 3 hours for a 12- to 14-lb. turkey), or 15 minutes per pound for a stuffed turkey.
What is the best temperature to cook a whole turkey? ›
What Temperature to Cook the Turkey? Cook your turkey at 325 degrees F for most of the cook time; in the final 45 minutes, remove the cover or foil tent from the turkey, increase the oven temperature to 425 degrees F and baste the bird with butter. The initial lower oven temperature cooks the turkey through evenly.
Should you roast a turkey face up or down? ›
The United States Department of Agriculture advises to cook a whole turkey breast side up during the entire cooking time. Turning over a large, hot bird can be dangerous and it's very easy to tear the skin, making the finished product less attractive.
What's the Difference Between Baking and Roasting? Roasting uses the same type of all-over, dry heat as baking, but at higher temperatures between 400 and 450° F. Choose the roasting method to get thicker, tougher foods brown and crisp, and the baking method to retain moisture in thinner, more delicate foods.
What cooking method is best for turkey? ›
Roasting the bird slowly, at a lower temperature is the best way to achieve tender meat. You should still prep the bird with butter, salt, and pepper, as described above (or dry-brine it). To cook, set your oven to 325°F and roast for 3½ to 4 hours for a 12- to 14-pound bird.
How do you cook a turkey without it drying out? ›
About 1 hour into roasting, shield the breast only with aluminum foil. This will help protect the white meat and keep it moist. Don't Cover the Turkey Completely. You want that skin to crisp, so it needs to be exposed to heat.
How long to cook a 10 lb turkey? ›
Regular Oven 325°
| Weight | Cook Time (Unstuffed) | Cook Time (Stuffed) |
|---|
| 7-10 lbs. | 2½-3 hrs. | 2¾-3½ hrs. |
| 10-18 lbs. | 3-3½ hrs. | 3¾-4½ hrs. |
| 18-22 lbs. | 3½-4 hrs. | 4½-5 hrs. |
| 22-24 lbs. | 4-4½ hrs. | 5-5½ hrs. |
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