The bigger turkey has more surface. That should speed up the transfer of heat, but the heat must travel a longer way to the center. That will slow things down.
Are bigger turkeys harder to cook?
Large turkeys are heavy to lift in and out of the oven. They’re also difficult to cook through without drying out parts of the bird—too often, the white meat is overcooked and almost cottony before the slower-to-cook dark meat reaches a safe temperature.
Is it better to cook a large turkey or two smaller ones?
The advantage to two small birds is more drumsticks, more delicious, crispy skin and an easier meat-management program. One bird can sit and be kept warm for round two. It is easier to store and handle smaller birds. But roasting space for two birds is a real issue with a regular-size oven.
How long does it take to cook a large turkey?
Basic recipe
Put in a roasting tin, breast-side up, and roast for 40 mins per 1kg for the first 4kg, then 45 mins for every 1kg over that weight, or until the internal temperature reaches 65-70C. For a turkey of this weight, the cooking time should be 3½-4 hrs.
Does it take longer to cook 2 turkeys in the same oven?
Cooking two turkeys of about the same weight does not double the roasting time. Cooking time is determined by the weight of one bird. Just make sure there is sufficient oven space for proper heat circulation. All poultry should reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F as measured with a food thermometer.
Is a 20 pound turkey too big?
Choosing the Right Size Turkey
If you are serving 10 people on Thanksgiving, choose a bird that is 15 to 20 pounds. Smaller birds that weigh less than 12 pounds have a smaller meat-to-bone ratio, so figure two pounds per person.
What size turkey tastes the best?
The flavor of a bird is determined by several additional factors, which may actually be more important than whether your turkey is fresh or frozen. Size is key — smaller birds tend to be more tender; if you have a lot of guests coming, think about cooking two small turkeys instead of one large one.
Is Butterball turkey better than other brands?
Butterball turkeys are of the highest quality product and will be sure to impress your guests. Here’s why Butterball is the right choice, especially for the holiday season: Butterball turkeys are always tender and juicy because we take the extra step of individually pre-brining them based on size.
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.
How many people will a 20 lb turkey feed?
15
While 1 pound per person could feel like too little, and 1 1/2 pounds for each guest might be over-doing it, 1 1/4 pounds of turkey per mouth is the perfect balance. At that rate, feeding a large party of 15 or more people requires 20+ pounds of turkey.
How long does it take to cook a 20 lb turkey at 350?
If your turkey weighs 18 to 20 pounds, roast it at:
350°F for 4 to 4¼ hours. 325°F for 4¼ to 4½ hours.
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.
How long does it take to cook a 20lb turkey?
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 long does it take to cook two turkeys at the same time?
Cooking at 350 degrees, your two turkeys should be roasted for 13 to 16 minutes of cook time per pound based on one of the birds. If the birds are stuffed, they will need more time (an additional hour). That means two birds that weigh 10 to 14 pounds each should cook for two-and-a-half to four hours total.
Are Smaller turkeys better?
Two smaller birds will cook faster and so spend less time in the oven, giving the meat less chance to dry out. Smaller turkeys are younger and generally have moister, more tender meat. (By smaller, we mean turkeys weighing 12 pounds or less.)
Can I roast 2 turkey breasts together?
Select breasts that are similar in size so they’ll be done at roughly the same time if you want to cook more than one for the guests at your holiday table. If you’re cooking more than one turkey breast in a roasting pan, make sure there’s room between the breasts so that hot air can circulate on all sides.
How many people will a 21 lb turkey feed?
12 to 16 people = 16- to 22-lb. turkey. 18 to 20 people = 27- to 30-lb. turkey.
What is the best size turkey for roasting?
Plan on about one pound of turkey per person, which translates to around half a pound of edible meat. Over 15 pounds or so, turkeys become more difficult to cook, take much longer, and are more prone to drying out. I find the best birds are around 10 to 12 pounds.
How many people will an 18 lb turkey feed?
12 people
As a general rule, plan on 1 1/2 Pounds of turkey (uncooked) per person. In other words, to feed 12 people, you’d need an 18-pound turkey (12 × 1.5 = 18). This formula (and this is true for the guidelines that follow as well) will produce generous leftovers.
Why are Butterball turkeys better?
With more than half of holiday cooks stuffing their turkey, Butterball turkeys have a natural leg tuck using the skin to hold the legs in place and make it easier to stuff. There are no plastic or metal locks in a Butterball turkey ensuring you won’t have to worry about a hot metal clip when you remove your stuffing.
Which turkey is better Butterball or Jennie O?
Butterball turkeys are typically less expensive and easier to handle than Jennie-O products. Their birds are available in a wider range of sizes, too. However, Jennie-O is devoted to humane farming practices, so if that’s an important factor in your decision-making, opt for one of their turkeys instead.