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.
- 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.
Is it better to cook a turkey at 325 or 350?
Turkey weighing 12-14 lbs should be cooked at 350 degrees in the oven. It will cook your meat faster and make for crispy skin. It will also make the meat taste meatier. For smaller birds, cooking them at 325 degrees cooking temperature in the oven is best.
Here are the general rules for how long to cook turkey per pound according to the USDA:
- Unstuffed Turkey: 15 minutes per pound at 325°F, or 13 minutes per pound at 350°F.
- Stuffed Turkey: 16 to 17 minutes per pound at 325°F, or 14 to 15 minutes per pound at 350°F.
How long to cook a turkey at 325 covered or uncover?
Roast the Turkey
Now, you’re ready for the oven! Roast the turkey uncovered in a 325°F oven for 2 hours. (Note: Roasting the turkey uncovered at the start of the bake time will increase the browning, so keep an eye on it.)
Is it better to cook a turkey at 325?
For small ones, 325 degrees is best. It yields tender meat. Larger birds require a higher temperature. Whatever temperatures you decide on, it’s essential to roast a turkey until the internal temperature hits 165°F.
How many minutes per pound to cook a turkey at 325?
Here are the general rules for how long to cook turkey per pound according to the USDA: Unstuffed Turkey: 15 minutes per pound at 325°F, or 13 minutes per pound at 350°F. Stuffed Turkey: 16 to 17 minutes per pound at 325°F, or 14 to 15 minutes per pound at 350°F.
Do you cook a turkey at 325 or 350 covered?
Roast in a 325° or 350° (depending on size of bird; see below) oven until thermometer registers 160°. If turkey is unstuffed, tip slightly to drain juices from body cavity into pan. Transfer turkey to a platter. Let stand in a warm place, uncovered, for 15 to 30 minutes, then carve.
How long should you cook a turkey at 325?
Assuming you are roasting your turkey in a 325°F oven, plan on 15 to 17 minutes of cooking time for each pound of an unstuffed turkey. Plan on 20 to 22 minutes per pound for a stuffed turkey.
Is it safe to cook a turkey at 325 degrees?
Make it safe – The United States Department of Agriculture ( USDA ) recommends temperatures no lower than 325 degrees Fahrenheit for cooking meat and poultry. Cook turkey to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
What is the best temperature to roast a turkey?
Oven Temps: Best roasting is two stage process—425°F (218°C) for 1 hour, then down to 325°F (163°C) for however long it takes until the turkey is done.
Do you cook a 20 pound turkey at 325 or 350?
Cooking a turkey between 325-350 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal. It is better to cook smaller birds, under 15 pounds, at 350 degrees to get the skin crispy enough. It is better to cook larger birds, over 15 pounds, at 325 degrees to ensure that the inside is cooked all the way through.
How long do you cook a turkey per pound at 325?
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.
How long to cook 20 lb turkey at 325?
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.
Is 325 too low to cook a turkey?
Roasting the bird slowly, at a lower temperature is the best way to achieve tender meat. You should still prep the bird with butter, salt, and pepper, as described above (or dry-brine it). To cook, set your oven to 325°F and roast for 3½ to 4 hours for a 12- to 14-pound bird.
Do you cook a 12 pound turkey at 325 or 350?
Turkey Cooking Time FAQ
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.
Do you cook a Butterball turkey at 325 or 350?
Preheat oven to 325° F. Remove gravy packet with spatula and refrigerate. Place roast, skin side up, on a flat roasting rack in a 2-inch deep roasting pan. Do not add water to pan.
What is the best temperature to bake a turkey?
What Temperature to Cook the Turkey? Cook your turkey at 325 degrees F for most of the cook time; in the final 45 minutes, remove the foil tent from the turkey, increase the oven temperature to 425 degrees F and baste the bird with butter. The initial lower oven temperature cooks the turkey through evenly.
Is it too high to cook a turkey at 350?
You can use either of these temperatures when cooking a turkey. 325 degrees will yield more tender meat, while 350 degrees makes the turkey cook more quickly while imbuing it with a richer taste.
Is it better to cook turkey at high or low temp?
Then there’s the question of cooking method. Turkey research, such as the Georgia study, has generally been conducted by roasting the birds at a low temperature, 325 or 350 degrees, which is what most turkey experts recommend. But many chefs and home cooks prefer to cook at high heat (say, 425 to 500 degrees).
What is the lowest safe temperature to cook a turkey?
It is not safe to cook any meat or poultry in an oven set lower than 325 °F. At lower temperatures, meat stays in the Danger Zone (between 40 °F and 140°F for too long.