Readers ask: How To Long To Cook A Turkey?

Do you cook a turkey at 325 or 350?

turkey (weight with giblets): Bake in a 350 ° oven for 1 1/2-2 1/4 hr. For a 14-23 lb. turkey (weight with giblets): Bake in a 325 ° oven for 2-3 hr. For a 24-27 lb.

How many minutes per pound do you cook a turkey?

The general rule is 15 to 20 minutes per pound of turkey when cooking an unstuffed turkey.

How long does it take to cook a 12 pound turkey?

We recommend roasting turkey at 350 degrees F for 13 minutes per pound for an unstuffed turkey. How Long to Cook a Turkey.

Turkey Weight Servings Cooking Time
10 to 12 lb 6 to 8 2 1/4 to 2 3/4 hours
12 to 14 lb 8 to 10 2 3/4 to 3 hours
15 to 18 lb 10 to 12 3 1/4 to 4 hours
18 to 20 lb 12 to 14 4 to 4 1/4 hours

How long should a 20lb turkey cook?

If you’re baking it at 325°F (the lowest temperature the USDA recommends), you’ll need to bake a 20-lb turkey in the oven for 4 to 5 hours if it’s unstuffed, and 4 ¼ to 5 ¼ hours if it’s stuffed.

How do I keep my turkey moist?

Classic Bread Stuffing Recipe Choose a fresh turkey instead of a frozen one. Roast two small turkeys rather than one large one. Brine the turkey. Rub soft butter under the skin. Truss loosely, or not at all. Roast the turkey upside down at first. Don’t overcook it. Let the turkey rest before carving.

Is it better to cook a turkey covered or uncovered?

To achieve that balance, the ideal is to let the bird spend time both covered and uncovered: We recommend covering your bird for most of the cooking time to prevent it from drying out, then removing the cover for the last 30 minutes or so to allow the skin to crisp.

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What is the best temperature to cook a turkey?

165°F is the USDA recommended internal temperature for cooked turkey.

What temperature should you cook a turkey to?

A whole turkey is safe when cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165 °F as measured with a food thermometer. Check the internal temperature in the innermost part of the thigh and wing and the thickest part of the breast.

How long should you cook a turkey at 325?

This table from the USDA is based on a 325 °F oven, and a fully defrosted or fresh bird. (For an unstuffed bird, we ‘re talking roughly 15 minutes per pound.)

How many people will a 12-pound turkey feed?

For turkeys smaller than 16 pounds, estimate 1 pound per serving (this accounts for bone weight). For larger birds, a bit less is fine; they have a higher meat-to-bone ratio. But if your goal is to have ample leftovers, aim for 1½ pounds per person whatever the turkey’s size. For 8 people, buy a 12-pound turkey.

Can you cook a turkey at 250 degrees?

As long as the turkey registers a temperature of 165 degrees F. it is safe to eat no matter the color. This requires a cooking time: At 235 degrees F your turkey will take 30 to 35 minutes per pound. At 250 degrees F your turkey will take 25 to 30 minutes per pound.

How often do I baste a turkey?

Basting is optional when roasting a turkey. To ensure a moist turkey, the key is to not overcook it. Try using a remote digital thermometer that will alert you when the turkey is fully cooked yet still juicy. If you choose to baste the bird, do so every 30 minutes.

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What is the fastest way to thaw a 20 pound turkey?

Quick – Thawing Your Turkey If you’re running short on time, you can speed up the thawing process with the cold water method: Simply submerg the frozen turkey, still in its packaging, in cold tap water. Change out the water every 30 minutes, and estimate roughly 30 minutes for every pound of turkey.

How long does it take to cook a 20lb unstuffed turkey?

For example, a 20 pound turkey will take 4 1/4 to 5 hours to cook, check the temperature on the thermometer after 4 1/4 hours. 4. Meanwhile, mix the stuffing or dressing. Place in a casserole and pop it into the oven during the last hour or so of roasting time.

How long does it take to thaw a 20lb turkey?

Fridge-Thawing Your Bird Here’s the calculation: plan on 24 hours of fridge thawing for every 5 pounds of frozen turkey (for example: budget 4 full days of thawing in the fridge for a 20-pound turkey).