From eight to 24 pounds, stuffed or unstuffed, use this guide to determine how long to roast any turkey.Updated on November 3, 2022 Show
Photo: Andy Lyons If you've been assigned to take on the turkey this Thanksgiving, or any other festivity, it's important to know that getting the juiciest, most tender results requires get the cooking time right. You can start your Thanksgiving countdown by coordinating the guest list, cleaning the house, and even planning the entire Thanksgiving menu, but you can't plan your cooking strategy until you determine how long to cook a turkey. The key to knowing how many hours to cook a turkey (yes, it takes hours) depends on the turkey's weight. From an 8-pound turkey for a more intimate gathering to a 24-pound turkey that feeds the entire extended family, these guidelines show you exactly how long to cook a turkey. How Long to Thaw a TurkeyIt's important to start cooking with a fully defrosted turkey. Our handy turkey defrosting guide shares full timing and methods for thawing your Thanksgiving turkey. Our favorite way to thaw a bird is to leave it in the refrigerator. You can keep a turkey in the fridge for up to four days before cooking. How Long to Roast a TurkeyOnce your turkey has been properly thawed and brined, seasoned, or stuffed as desired, roast in a pan at 325°F using these times as guidelines for unstuffed turkeys. Always determine doneness with a temperature check. Each time is for cooking one turkey at a time. Your meat thermometer should register 175°F in the thigh muscle.
Test Kitchen Tip: When your turkey finishes cooking, cover it loosely with foil and let it stand 15 minutes before carving. Timing Guidelines for Stuffed Whole TurkeysIf you're going the classic route, stuffing your turkey rather than cooking the stuffing in its own dish, you'll increase the above roasting times by 15 to 45 minutes. Look here for the stuffed turkey timing details. Again, do a temperature test to be sure the turkey is done. The center of the stuffing should hit 165°F. Whether you cook up a Classic Roast Turkey, Maple Sage Turkey, Honey Roast Turkey, or the recipe that your family has passed down for generations, using these timings as your guide will help you put a turkey on the table that you're proud of. Though you may only eat it once a year, a poorly roasted turkey can be a real disappointment. (The phrase "tough turkey" comes to mind.) And if you're really winging it (pun intended) cooking a turkey at the wrong time and/or temperature can go spectacularly wrong. But we're here to help. Our editors have cooked a fair number of turkeys over the years and, without tooting our horns too much, I'd say we've got the recipe pretty dialed in. So follow these simple instructions, and you'll be hoisting a perfectly browned bird worthy of a Norman Rockwell painting to the table amid the admiration of all your guests. A Few Turkey Prep TipsIf you're still selecting the right turkey to cook, we'll say smaller is actually better. It'll cook faster and more evenly, and the meat will be more tender. If you've got a big crowd, you can even cook two small turkeys. Try to put the turkey in the fridge a few days, or up to a week ahead of Thanksgiving. That's about how long it takes to thaw a frozen turkey. If you haven't done that, the link will tell you how to thaw it faster, or even cook it straight from frozen (though it's not going to be quite as good). Now you just need to know how long to cook that turkey, so it turns out juicy and delicious. (If you want to save yourself the Google in a few hours, open up this page on how to carve a turkey and give it a read while the bird is in the oven). Okay. Let's answer some frequently asked questions about roasting a Thanksgiving turkey.  Now 21% Off How Long Do I Cook an Unstuffed Turkey? (Recommended)The first thing you should do before you embark on cooking a turkey is invest in an instant-read thermometer. Cooking by temperature is the best and safest way to know when your turkey is ready. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the bird between the breast and part of the thigh (being sure not to hit bone). It's done when the thermometer just reaches 165ºF. In general, you should plan to cook a turkey for around 15-20 minutes per pound of turkey at 325ºF to get to that temp. But that's only an estimate! The time will vary based on the exact size of the bird, as well as the size of the oven and how accurate your temperature gauge works, and whether or not the bird is stuffed. That's why we always recommend you use a thermometer to be safe. Here's a quick breakdown of weights and times. At 325°F for an unstuffed turkey:
For a turkey that is 20-pounds or more, settle in for the afternoon. This could
take around 4 1/2 to 5 hours. One note: We actually don't recommend you cook the stuffing inside the turkey (and the USDA agrees). It increases the chances the turkey will cook unevenly. It also increases the Thanksgiving turkey cook time and will dry the turkey out. But most importantly: you miss out on the delicious crispy-crunchy bits that you get when the stuffing is cooked in a pan or dish! Why would you give that up? We have plenty of delicious
stovetop and baked stuffing recipes that will impress. I'm Cooking a Stuffed Turkey Though. How Long Do I Cook It?We can't talk you out of it, huh? We get it: sometimes tradition outweighs other concerns. If you're determined to stuff the turkey, you'll want to leave it in the oven at 325°F for 20-25 minutes per pound. We'll also recommend covering the turkey (especially the wings and drumsticks) with a loose tent of aluminum foil about halfway through cooking, to keep them from drying out or burning. Again, check that thermometer as well as your recipe and cooking instructions—and
make sure the stuffing also gets to 165°F as well, so you don't have undercooked turkey juices in there. Should I Put Water in My Turkey Roasting Pan?If you are adding vegetables to the bottom of the roasting pan (they will help flavor your gravy), then add 1/2 cup water to prevent them from scorching. You can substitute 1/2 cup dry white wine for extra flavor. If you are sans veggies, you can skip putting liquid in your roasting pan.
Do I Cook a Turkey at 325°F or 350°F?Though "low and slow" is a good rule for cooking a bird all the way through without burning it, there's no hard-and-fast rule about exact cooking temperatures. All of our temperature guides assume you're cooking at 325°F, but you can cook it a little warmer for roughly the same, or just a little less time. The best thing to do is consult your recipe. The important thing to stress is hitting that 165ºF mark with the instant-read thermometer so that you know it's safe to eat. Note: Once you remove your turkey, the temperature will continue rising another 20 degrees or so. So it's okay to pull it out a little before it hits 165°F, as long as it gets there at some point. Do I Cover a Turkey When Cooking It?Start by cooking the turkey uncovered. This will ensure that the skin gets a nice golden brown color. Check
in on it after an hour or so, if you notice any areas that are browning too quickly, cover them with foil. How Do I Keep My Turkey Moist?The best way to keep a turkey juicy is to avoid overcooking it. While in the past cooks recommended either brining or basting a turkey (and Kosher turkeys come pre-brined), modern cooking science has found that those techniques are neither necessary or helpful. One of the best ways to prepare a flavorful turkey is to salt the skin well and then butter the turkey ahead of time. The salt will help tenderize the meat and the fat from the butter will get the skin crispy and delicious, and help keep the meat moist as well. How Long Do I Wait Until I Carve the Turkey?For maximum juiciness, let the turkey rest a good half-hour to 45 minutes before carving. This gives it time for the juices to
redistribute, also helping to ensure moist meat. It also allows you time to make the aforementioned gravy and perhaps drink a glass of wine and memorize a few good Thanksgiving jokes before heading out to sit down with the
family and eat. This content is imported from OpenWeb. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. How long does 7 pound turkey take to cook?The general rule for cooking a large bird is about 20 minutes a pound.
How long does it take to cook a 7 pound turkey at 325?Roasting times for a turkey breast cooked in a 325 degrees F oven: Unstuffed, a 2 to 3-pound turkey will cook from 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Unstuffed, a 7 to 8-pound turkey will cook from 2 1/4 to 3 1/4 hours; if stuffed, it will cook in 3 to 4 hours.
How long does it take to cook a 7 pound turkey breast at 350 degrees?How Long to Roast a Turkey Breast. In general, you'll want to cook a bone-in turkey breast for about 20 minutes per pound at 350 degrees F (177 degrees C), or until it reaches a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
Is it better to cook a turkey at 325 or 350?Roast the turkey uncovered at a temperature ranging from 325°F to 350°F. Higher temperatures may cause the meat to dry out, but this is preferable to temperatures that are too low which may not allow the interior of the turkey to cook to a safe temperature.
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How long to cook a 7 pound turkey
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