How long to cook a 21 lb turkey at 325

Today I have a great recipe for you! I will show you how long does it take to cook a turkey in oven at 325 degrees. I will teach you the best cooking times and temperatures for a perfect recipe.

Cooking a turkey at 325 degrees is the perfect recipe for a juicy and delicious result. However, you should keep in mind how long it will take to cook your turkey so you can plan accordingly.

The cooking duration is the length of time it takes to bring food to a safe temperature.

Cooking perfection can be achieved by using an accurate oven thermometer or meat-probe meat thermometer (accurate to 4°F). Baste every 30 minutes, adding extra liquid if needed during baking. This being said, here is the recipe to make the best Turkey ever!

What is the best temperature to cook Turkey?

A turkey should be cooked at 325 degrees for about 3.5 hours. The best temperature to cook turkey oven cooking recipe will cook a turkey breast a variety of times, depending on the size and thickness of the breast.

Therefore, it is crucial to consider turkey temperature when cooking turkey in an oven and a meat thermometer or oven thermometer for accuracy. 

The standard oven cooking temperature to cook a turkey is 325 degrees for about 3.5 hours, but you should consider other factors such as size and weight when determining how long it will take to get your turkey done.

A 12-pound whole turkey will take about 4 to 5 hours to bake, and an 18-pound whole turkey will take about 5 to 6 hours to bake at 325 degrees, 350 degrees (the temperature at which the Butterball website recommends cooking your Thanksgiving meal this year), and 375 degrees.

The best method of cooking a turkey is to keep checking with an oven thermometer, meat thermometer, or meat instant-read thermometer throughout the cooking time to make sure the oven temperature stays at 325 degrees (the perfect roasting temperature for turkey) and that your turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees on a meat thermometer probe.

The best oven temperature to cook your turkey is 325 degrees Fahrenheit. It should be cooked at this temperature for about 3 ½ hours. However, the actual cooking time will depend on its weight and the oven you are using.

How Long to Cook a Turkey at 325 ºF

In this recipe I will show you how to cook a 17-pound turkey at 325 ºF in oven. It's very simple!

Prep Time 30 mins

Cook Time 5 hrs

Resting Time 5 mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

• 1 Thawed, fresh, or frozen turkey (12 to 14-pound)
• 5 teaspoons Kosher salt divided.
• 2 tbsp Olive oil divided.
• 2 Cloves garlic minced
• 4 Sprigs of fresh thyme plus one tablespoon of finely chopped thyme leaves
• 3 Sprigs of fresh rosemary plus one teaspoon of finely chopped leaves 
• 1/2 cup Apple cider
• 1 One tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 12 ounces Mushrooms halved or quartered depending on the size if desired
• Nonstick cooking spray

• Preheat the oven to 325 F. Rinse the turkey and pat dry with paper towels. Place turkey on a rimmed baking sheet or roasting pan.

• Combine 1-1/4 teaspoons kosher salt, two tablespoons oil, minced garlic, four thyme sprigs, and three rosemary sprigs in a small bowl; rub all over turkey. 

• Turn the turkey breast side up on the prepared baking sheet so drumsticks are pointed toward the opening of the oven. 

• Pour apple cider into the cavity, and tie legs together with kitchen twine.

• Bake turkey until a thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the thigh (not touching bone) registers 165 degrees F and breast temperature reach 155 degrees F, 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes. 

• Baste every 30 minutes with pan juices. If desired, place red onions and mushrooms around the turkey during the last 30 minutes of bake time.

• Remove turkey from oven; transfer to a platter and let stand, loosely covered with foil, at least 30 minutes before carving (internal temperature will rise 5 degrees F). 

• Discard herb sprigs, and drain fat from the roasting pan. Place the roasting pan on the stove; heat pan juices to simmer over medium heat. 

• Add remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt and chopped thyme and rosemary; cook until reduced by half. 

• Remove from heat, whisk in one tablespoon oil and Dijon mustard; season with salt and pepper, if desired. Carve turkey, and serve with gravy.

Keyword How Long to Cook a Turkey at 325 ºF

How many minutes per pound to cook a turkey?

According to “Cooks Illustrated”, the best way to cook a turkey is at 325 degrees for three and a half hours.

Cooking it this long will ensure that you have a delicious, moist turkey. For an 18-pound turkey, it will take around 5 to 6 hours and for a 14-pound turkey, it will cook in about 4 1/2 hours.

For more accurate timing, use a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh. The internal temperature should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit before removing your bird from the oven.

Why should I let my thawed Turkey sit for 30 minutes before cooking?

When you cook a turkey from room temperature rather than from frozen, the turkey cooks more evenly.

This is because the white meat cooks faster than the dark meat, but after 2 hours of cooking, you’ll find that the breast is dry and overcooked while the legs are still raw.

By letting your turkey sit for 30 minutes before baking it, you can reduce your total cooking time by 25 percent, even when starting with a fully thawed bird.

How long to cook a stuffed turkey at 325?

Cooking a stuffed turkey in the oven at 325 degrees for three and a half hours will result in a juicy turkey.

A standard baking time of 2 and a half hours is usually used for an unstuffed turkey, but there are many variables to consider, such as the oven temperature and the size of the bird. For a stuffed turkey, it’s best to follow a specific recipe.

What is the inside temperature of a ready turkey?

165°F is the internal temperature when a turkey is considered safe and ready to eat.

Why cook a Turkey breast side down?

Cooking a turkey breast side down helps protect the delicate white meat from drying out and adds more collagen to dark meat, making it more tender.

Final tips and tricks for a better recipe

1) If you have a problem with your oven thermostat, always use an oven thermometer in the lower portion of the oven to monitor the temperature.

2) To avoid overcooking, it is essential to check the internal temperature in several places before completing the baking time. The meatiest parts of the turkey are the thickest parts of the breast and thigh.

3) If you overcook it, the turkey will become dry because of the high protein content in the meat. The internal temperature must reach a minimum of 165 degrees Fahrenheit before removing it from the oven.

4) To bring out all that flavor, brine your bird in a salt and sugar solution the night before for a juicy, well-seasoned turkey.

5) To baste or not to baste? Brining will keep the meat moist, so there is no need to baste during roasting. The turkey self-bastes as it roasts, resulting in a flavorful bird, but if you choose to baste, use a tablespoon or two of butter or oil to help the dry brine along.

6) To stuff or not to stuff? If you decide to stuff your turkey, it is important that the stuffing be moist and seasoned.

7) If you are using an electric oven, make sure your oven is plugged in, preheating for at least 1 hour before putting your bird in the oven. Prop open your oven door before baking, heat broil for 10 minutes, then close it tightly. Using an electric oven may increase the cooking time by up to 30 minutes.

So, do you already know how long does it take to cook a turkey in oven at 325 degrees? Please, feel free to share your opinion in the comments below!

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