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Learn how long to cook a turkey and get a perfectly cooked bird for your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner! The rule of thumb is 15 minutes per pound, but the cooking time also depends on oven temperature, whether the turkey is stuffed or unstuffed, and fresh vs. frozen.

Learn how long to melt a turkey and get a perfectly cooked bird for your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner! The rule of thumb is 15 minutes per pound, but the cooking time too depends on oven temperature, whether the turkey is blimp or unstuffed, and fresh vs. frozen.

Learn how long to cook a turkey and get a perfectly cooked bird for your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner! The rule of thumb is 15 minutes per pound, but turkey cooking time also depends on oven temperature, whether it's stuffed or unstuffed, and thawed vs. frozen.

How long to cook a turkey?

Want to cook a whole turkey that's tender and juicy, with lots of flavor and crispy skin? Nosotros'll show you how to get the best results every time. No more dried-out turkey!

How long to melt a turkey depends mainly on its size every bit well equally the oven temperature. Y'all need to cook the bird to a rubber internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) measured using an instant-read thermometer. As well you lot'll demand to budget enough fourth dimension to balance your turkey so the juices can redistribute through the meat to keep it actress moist.

Tip: We recommend using an oven-proof food thermometer and leave it in the turkey while roasting. This will allow you lot to monitor the internal temperature without opening the oven.

Insert an oven-proof food thermometer into the turkey before roasting.

What temperature to cook a turkey: 325°F or 350°F?

  • Broil at 350°F for any turkey that's less than 14 pounds (5.9kg)
  • Bake at 325°F for bigger turkeys over fourteen pounds.

How long to cook a turkey per pound?

For an unstuffed turkey (fresh or defrosted), the general rule is near 15 minutes per pound at a 325 °F regular oven co-ordinate to the USDA. If you're using a convection oven, your turkey will cook slightly faster.

Display of a 12 lb and 15 lb turkey on a cutting board. They require different cooking times.

Cooking fourth dimension for different sizes

Turkey cooking time varies widely by size. Y'all may exist wondering how long to cook a 20 lb turkey, a 25 lb, 12 lb, 15 lb turkey, or whatsoever other size for that thing? Here is a time chart for cooking an unstuffed turkey:

Turkey weight Unstuffed turkey cooking fourth dimension Oven temperature
x to fourteen lb ii-1/four to 3 hours 350°F
15 to 22 lb 3 to 4 hours 325°F
23 to 25 lb 4 to iv one/2hours 325°F
26 to 29 lb 4-1/2 to 5 hours 325°F

Annotation: If you're using a convection oven, bake for 15-30% less time. As there'south variation in kitchen equipment, ever verify doneness using a thermometer instead of relying on fourth dimension alone.

Stuffing a turkey from the neck end by lifting the flap of skin to expose the cavity

How long to cook a stuffed turkey?

It'south always best to stuff the neck end of the turkey, as filling the body cavity will cake the flow of air needed to evenly cook the bird. Stuff right earlier cooking and tuck in the peel to seal.

Follow the cooking time above using the weight of the stuffed turkey . You tin counterbalance the stuffed turkey if you lot accept a scale or estimate the new weight based on how much stuffing you added.

How long to cook a frozen turkey?

If y'all roast your turkey from frozen, the cooking time is at to the lowest degree l% longer according to the USDA. That ways you'll need to program to bake your frozen turkey for 22 minutes per pound or more than .

How to tell when a turkey is done?

The most accurate way to check doneness is past inserting a meat thermometer into the thickest function of the turkey (chest, outer thigh and inner thigh), making sure the probe is not touching the bone. A temperature reading of 165°F to 170°F means it's done.

Keep a watchful eye during the final stages, as the temperature can rise from 130°F to 170°F in every bit piddling every bit 30 minutes!

Meat thermometer inserted into a whole roast turkey reading 170 degrees F, indicating the turkey is done

How to roast a turkey

Roasting a turkey is actually quite easy, as long as you follow the cooking time guide and don't overcook the bird.

  • Brining: This optional pace makes for a more than tender and juicy turkey. The basic ratio is two cups of kosher salt to two gallons of water. Alkali for 8-xviii hours in the fridge and rinse the turkey with water earlier cooking.
  • Seasoning: Rubbing with butter, minced garlic, salt, pepper and oil before baking will add wet and flavor to your turkey.
  • Blistering: Following the blistering time and temperature guidance provided to a higher place until information technology reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
  • Resting: Let the roasted turkey residual for xxx to hr covered with aluminum foil so the juices can redistribute throughout the meat. It's important not to cutting into the meat right away, every bit juices will exist lost and the turkey will dry out. You can brand gravy during this time instead.

Carved roast turkey on a serving platter showing delicious golden wings, breasts, thighs and legs ready to eat with red radishes, lemon slices and fresh sage as garnish

Side dishes for Thanksgiving turkey

Traditional side dishes for Thanksgiving dinner include green edible bean casserole, potatoes, sweet potatoes, gratin and roasted Brussels sprouts.

How to Cook A Turkey

Learn how to cook a turkey to perfection for your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner! Follow this stride-by-footstep guide to savor tender and juicy turkey at its best!

  • i whole turkey, (fifteen pound or half dozen.8kg) fresh or thawed, see notes for other sizes*
  • i/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (1 stick)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced (1 tablespoon)
  • ane tablespoon olive oil
  • common salt, to sense of taste
  • pepper, to taste

  • Prepare the turkey: (Optional: brine the turkey for 8-18 hours for extra tenderness.) Remove the turkey from the fridge 1 hour earlier roasting. Remove the giblets from the body cavity or neck cavity. Pat dry with newspaper towels. Information technology's ok if your turkey still feels cool after sitting at room temperature.

  • Seasoning: In a small bowl, mix together the softened butter, garlic, salt, and pepper. Rub all over the turkey. Then rub with olive oil. (If y'all have stuffing, spoon it through the neck end of the turkey.)

  • Preheat the oven to 425°F: Position an oven rack in the lesser third of the oven. So preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C). Identify a wire rack in a roasting pan. Then place the turkey onto the rack breast side up. If available, insert an ovenproof meat thermometer all the mode into the thigh and leave it in during baking.

  • Place the turkey in the oven and lower the heat to 325°F: When the oven is hot, add the turkey and immediately lower the heat to 325°F.

  • Roast the turkey: It takes about 3 hours to melt in a regular oven and xxx minutes less in a convection/forced air oven. Baste the turkey with pan juices halfway through. Start checking the internal temperature of the turkey regularly after 2 hours.

  • Check the doneness: Look at the meat thermometer or insert an instant-read thermometer into the turkey thigh and chest. Your turkey is done as soon as information technology registers 165°F (74°C). If information technology's not ready, put it turkey back in the oven. (Notation: the temperature can rise quickly after 140°F).

  • Rest the turkey: When the turkey is done baking, remove it from the oven. Using an oven hand, lift one end of the roasting pan lengthwise to let liquids from the cavity to menstruum out. Transfer the turkey to a cutting lath. Embrace with aluminum foil and allow it residual for 30 to hour before carving.

  • *For other sizes: two-1/4-3 hours for x-14 lbs (at 350°F), 3-four hours for 15-22 lbs, four-4.5 hours for 23-25 lbs and iv.five-5 hours for 26-29 lbs. Reduce by fifteen-30% for a convection oven.
  • If y'all're stuffing your turkey, add the weight of the stuffing to the overall weight used to calculate the cooking fourth dimension.
  • Leftover turkey can be stored in an airtight container for upward to 4 days in the fridge and upward to two months in the freezer.

Nutrition Facts

How to Cook A Turkey

Amount Per Serving

Calories 458 Calories from Fat 225

% Daily Value*

Fat 25g 38%

Saturated Fatty 10g 50%

Cholesterol 210mg 70%

Sodium 290mg 12%

Potassium 581mg 17%

Carbohydrates 1g 0%

Sugar 1g one%

Protein 56g 112%

Vitamin A 428IU ix%

Vitamin C 1mg i%

Calcium 33mg 3%

Iron 2mg xi%

* Pct Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie nutrition.

Please read our nutrition disclaimer.

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Cooking Equipment

  • Roasting Pan and Rack
  • Oven Safe Nutrient Thermometer
  • Baster