The general rule of thumb is to roast an unstuffed turkey breast-side up for 13 minutes per pound of turkey at 350°, which translates to approximately 3 hours for a 12- to 14-pound bird (a 12-pound turkey is pretty standard). Note that stuffed turkeys can take much longer, which means that they’re prone to drying out.
Can a turkey be cooked in 3 hours?
According to the USDA, for an unstuffed turkey roasting at 325 degrees, you should allow 2¾ to 3 hours for an 8- to 12-pound turkey; 3 to 3¾ hours for a 12- to 14-pounder; 3¾ to 4¼ hours for a 14- to 18-pounder; 4¼ to 4½ hours for an 18- to 20-pounder and 4½ to 5 hours for an 20- to 24-pounder.
Can a 20 lb turkey be done in 3 hours?
Cooking time will vary. 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.
How many hours does a turkey take to cook?
We recommend roasting turkey at 350 degrees F for 13 minutes per pound for an unstuffed 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 |
Is 4 hours long enough to cook a turkey?
At 325°F for an unstuffed turkey: 10-12 pounds: cook 2 3/4 to 3 hours. 15-16 pounds: cook 3 1/2 to 4 hours. 18-20 pounds: cook 4 to 4 1/2 hours.
Can my turkey be done in 2 hours?
The trick to having a turkey ready in two hours is to use a hot oven and a small turkey. I learned this recipe originally from Julia Child, but I’ve changed it along the way. The turkey should be no more than 14 pounds. If the roasting pan is more than 2 inches larger than the turkey, the juices may burn.
How can I speed up my turkey time?
5 Smart Ways to Make Your Turkey Cook Faster
- Don’t stuff the bird. Skip cooking the stuffing in the bird.
- Cook just the parts, rather than the whole bird.
- Don’t truss the turkey.
- Don’t open the oven door too often.
- Spatchcock your turkey.
How long do I cook a 20lb turkey at 325?
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.
Should I cover my turkey with foil?
We’ve found that covering a turkey in foil yields much moister results than roasting it without foil, and we favor simply covering up the breast to even out cooking time. Some people swear that roasting a turkey breast-side down and flipping it halfway through achieves the same results as a foil covered breast.
Do you put water in the bottom of the roasting pan for turkey?
“Often consumers will inquire about adding water to the bottom of their roasting pans. We do not recommend adding water to the bottom of the pan. Cooking a turkey with steam is a moist heat-cook method and is acceptable, sure, but is not the preferred method for cooking your turkey.”
How do you know when the turkey is done?
But there’s only one way to be sure: the temperature. It just takes a simple reading with a meat thermometer to test if your turkey is ready to eat.
Check these places on your turkey and look for these temperatures:
- 180°F in thigh.
- 170°F in breast.
- 165°F in stuffing.
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 long should I cook a 16 lb turkey?
The rule of thumb for cooking a turkey is 13 minutes per pound. So our 16-pound turkey was estimated to cook in about 3 1/2 hours.
How long should turkey rest before carving?
Pull it out as soon as the temperature hits 165, or even a little lower. The amount of resting time depends on the size of the bird, but at least 20 minutes is needed. A large bird can wait up to 40 minutes or longer, depending on the temperature of the room.
How long do you cook a 20 lb turkey at 350?
20 Pound Turkey at 350 (Cooking The Best Turkey)
- Yield: 24 servings.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes.
- Cook Time: 3 hours.
- Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes.
What if my turkey is done early?
If it’s done around an hour early, let it rest uncovered for about 20 to 30 minutes. Then cover your turkey with some foil and a thick towel or blanket to keep it warm. By letting it first rest you release the initial heat. That way it won’t overcook once it’s covered.
How do I know if my turkey is undercooked?
To find out if your turkey is done without a thermometer, pierce it with a fork in the mid-thigh muscle, explains Nicole Johnson, the co-director of the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line. “When the juices run clear, and no longer reddish or pink in color, it’s a good indication that your turkey is done.”
What happens if you eat undercooked turkey?
People can get a Salmonella infection from eating undercooked turkey or touching raw turkey, including packaged raw pet food. Always cook turkey thoroughly. Get CDC’s tips to prevent foodborne illness from turkey.
Does covering a turkey make it cook faster?
Thanksgiving Turkey, Faster Cooking
Speed up your turkey cooking times without drying out your meal by wrapping it in foil. Learn how to foil wrap turkey and refer to our turkey cooking chart for foil wrapping cooking times.
Does covering a turkey with foil make it cook faster?
Foil insulates the bird, blocks the heat needed for browning, and often increases cooking time. The biggest challenge in cooking turkey is that the breast tends to cook before the dark meat.