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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 turkey cooking time also depends on oven temperature, whether the turkey is stuffed or unstuffed, and fresh versus 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? We’ll show you how to get the best results every time. No more dried-out turkey! How long to cook a turkey depends mainly on its size but also on the oven temperature. You need to cook the bird to a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) measured using an instant-read thermometer. Also you’ll need to budget enough time to rest your turkey so the juices can redistribute through the meat to keep it extra moist. Tip: We recommend using an oven-proof food thermometer and leave it in the turkey while roasting. This will allow you to monitor the internal temperature without opening the oven. What Temperature to Cook a Turkey: 325°F or 350°F?
How Long to Cook a Turkey Per PoundHere are the general rules for how long to cook turkey per pound according to the USDA:
Note that these times apply whether you are using a fresh turkey or a defrosted turkey. Turkey Cook Time Per PoundTurkey cooking time varies widely by size. You may be wondering how long to cook a 20 lb turkey, a 25 lb, 12 lb, 15 lb turkey, or any other size for that matter? Here is a time chart for cooking an unstuffed turkey:
Note: If you’re using a forced air or convection oven, you may be able to bake for 15 to 30% less time. As there’s variation in kitchen equipment, always check doneness at least 30 minutes before the specified time and verify using a thermometer instead of relying on time alone. How long to cook a stuffed turkey?It’s always best to stuff the neck end of the turkey, as filling the body cavity will block the flow of air needed to evenly cook the bird. Stuff right before cooking and tuck in the skin to seal. Follow the cooking time above using the weight of the stuffed turkey. You can weigh the stuffed turkey if you have a scale or estimate the new weight based on how much stuffing you added. How long to cook a frozen turkey?If you roast your turkey from frozen, the cooking time is at least 50% longer according to the USDA. That means you’ll need to plan to bake your frozen turkey for 22 minutes per pound or more. How to tell when a turkey is done?The most accurate way to check doneness is by inserting a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the turkey (breast, 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 as little as 30 minutes! How to roast a turkeyRoasting a turkey is actually quite easy, as long as you follow the cooking time guide and don’t overcook the bird.
Turkey Cooking Time FAQHow Long to Cook a 12 pound turkey? An unstuffed 12-pound turkey will take about 2 ¾ hours at the recommended oven temperature of 350°F, or alternatively 3 hours at 325°F. If the turkey is stuffed, add an extra 20 to 30 minutes. How Long to Cook 14 lb Turkey? An unstuffed 14-pound turkey will take 3 ½ hours in the oven at 325°F, or 3 hours at 350°F. If the turkey is stuffed, add an extra 20 to 30 minutes. How Long to Cook a 15 pound Turkey? An unstuffed 15-pound turkey will take about 3 ¾ hours at the recommended oven temperature of 325°F. If the turkey is stuffed, add an extra 20 to 30 minutes. How Long to Cook 18 lb Turkey? An unstuffed 18 pound turkey will take about 4 ¼ hours at the recommended oven temperature of 325°F. If the turkey is stuffed, it will take about 4 ½ hours. How Long to Cook a 22 pound Turkey? An unstuffed 22-pound turkey will take about 5 hours at the recommended oven temperature of 325°F. If the turkey is stuffed, it will take about 5 ¼ to 5 ½ hours. How Long to Cook a 25 pound Turkey? An unstuffed 25-pound turkey will take about 5 ¼ hours at the recommended oven temperature of 325°F. A stuffed turkey will take about about 5 ½ to 5 ¾ hours. Side dishes for Thanksgiving turkeyTraditional side dishes for Thanksgiving dinner include scalloped potatoes, green bean casserole, roasted parsnips, roasted Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, gratin and more! How to Cook a Turkey (+How Long to Cook a Turkey)Learn how to cook a turkey to perfection for your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner! Follow this step-by-step guide to enjoy tender and juicy turkey at its best!
Nutrition Facts How to Cook a Turkey (+How Long to Cook a Turkey) Amount Per Serving Calories 458 Calories from Fat 225 % Daily Value* Fat 25g38% Saturated Fat 10g50% Cholesterol 210mg70% Sodium 290mg12% Potassium 581mg17% Carbohydrates 1g0% Sugar 1g1% Protein 56g112% Vitamin A 428IU9% Vitamin C 1mg1% Calcium 33mg3% Iron 2mg11% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Please read our nutrition disclaimer. Further QuestionsThe USDA provides a Meat and Poultry Hotline available toll-free at 1-888-MPHotline or 1-888-674-6854. Alternatively, you can also chat live with a food safety specialist at AskUSDA. This service is available in English and Spanish between the hours of 10 am to 4 pm ET, Monday through Friday. © TIPBUZZ. Images and text on this website are copyright protected. Please do not post or republish without permission. If you want to republish this recipe, please link back to this post. This post may contain affiliate links. Read the disclosure policy here. How long does it take to cook a 10 pound turkey?How Long to Cook Your Turkey. 10-pound turkey: about 2 hours 10 minutes.. 12-pound turkey: about 2 hours 36 minutes.. 14-pound turkey: about 3 hours 2 minutes.. 16-pound turkey: about 3 hours 28 minutes.. 18-pound turkey: about 3 hours 54 minutes.. 20-pound turkey: about 4 hours 20 minutes.. How long does it take to cook a 10 kg turkey?General rule of thumb for oven cooking a stuffed turkey at 325° F is 15 minutes per pound (30 minutes per kilogram).
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Cooking the Perfect Turkey.. How long does it take to cook an unstuffed 10 pound turkey?We recommend roasting turkey at 350 degrees F for 13 minutes per pound for an unstuffed turkey.
Do you cook a 10 lb turkey at 325 or 350?For a 10-13 lb. 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.
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