How Long To Cook A Turkey Per Pound

How To Thaw Frozen Turkey

1. In the fridge: This is the safest method, but it takes the longest. You’ll need to allow about 24 hours of thawing time for every 4-5 pounds of turkey.
2. In cold water: This method is faster than thawing in the fridge, but you’ll need to change the water every 30 minutes to ensure that it stays cold. You’ll need to allow about 30 minutes of thawing time for every pound of turkey.
3. In the microwave: This is the fastest method, but not all turkeys will fit in a microwave. Check the manual of your microwave to see if it’s large enough to accommodate a turkey.

How To Prepare Turkey Before Cooking

1. Remove the neck and giblets from the body and neck cavities of the turkey.
2. Rinse the turkey inside and out with cold water, and pat it dry with paper towels.
3. If you plan on stuffing the turkey, do so just before cooking.
4. To add flavor and moisture to the turkey, you can rub the skin with butter or oil and season it with your favorite herbs and spices.
5. If you’re not stuffing the turkey, you can add quartered onions, carrots, and celery to the body cavity to add flavor and moisture to the turkey as it cooks.
6. Place the turkey on a roasting rack in a large roasting pan, and tie the legs together with kitchen twine.
7. If you’re cooking an unstuffed turkey, you can add some liquid (such as broth or white wine) to the bottom of the roasting pan to keep the turkey moist.

What Is The Best Temp To Cook Turkey

The best temperature to cook a turkey depends on your personal preference and the size of the turkey. In general, it’s best to roast a turkey at a high temperature (around 350-400°F) to help the skin brown and crisp. This will also help to seal in the juices, resulting in a moist and flavorful bird. You can learn more about baking and broilling turkey here: Should You Bake or Broil a Turkey.

How Long To Cook Turkey At 400 

 As a general rule, plan for about 12-15 minutes of cooking time per pound of turkey. For example, an 8-pound turkey will take about 1.5-2 hours to cook at 400°F, while a 24-pound turkey will take about 4.5-6 hours.

How Long To Cook Turkey At 375

To cook a turkey at 375°F, you’ll need to roast it for about 13-16 minutes per pound. For example, an 8-pound turkey will take about 1.5-2 hours to cook at 375°F, while a 24-pound turkey will take about 4.5-6 hours.

How Long To Cook A Turkey Per Pound At 350

For an unstuffed turkey, you’ll need to cook it for about 15-18 minutes per pound at 350°F. So an 8-pound turkey will take about 2 hours to cook, while a 24-pound turkey will take about 6 hours.

How Long To Cook A Turkey At 325

For an unstuffed turkey, you’ll need to cook it for about 20 minutes per pound at 325°F. So an 8-pound turkey will take about 2.5 hours to cook, while a 24-pound turkey will take about 7.5 hours.

How Long To Cook A Turkey Per Pound At 300

For an unstuffed turkey, you’ll need to cook it for about 25 minutes per pound at 300°F. So an 8-pound turkey will take about 3 hours to cook, while a 24-pound turkey will take about 9 hours.

How Long To Cook A Turkey Per Pound At 275

For an unstuffed turkey, you’ll need to cook it for about 30 minutes per pound at 275°F. So an 8-pound turkey will take about 3.5 hours to cook, while a 24-pound turkey will take about 10.5 hours.

How Long To Cook Stuffed Turkey Per Pound

For a stuffed turkey, you’ll need to cook it for about 20-25 minutes per pound. So an 8-pound turkey will take about 3-3.5 hours to cook, while a 24-pound turkey will take about 9-10.5 hours.

How To Cook A Turkey In Easy Steps

1. Preheat your oven to the desired temperature (see above for cooking times at different temperatures).
2. Place the prepared turkey in the oven, making sure that the breast is facing up.
3. If you’re cooking an unstuffed turkey, you can add some liquid (such as broth or white wine) to the bottom of the roasting pan to keep the turkey moist.
4. Cook the turkey according to the time and temperature guidelines above.
5. About half an hour before the turkey is done, tent the breast with foil to prevent it from getting too dark.
6. When the turkey is done, remove it from the oven and let it rest for at least 20-30 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, making the meat more tender and flavorful.

How Do I Stuff A Turkey

1. Combine the stuffing ingredients in a large bowl and mix until well combined.
2. Loosely fill the body cavity of the turkey with the stuffing, taking care not to pack it too tightly.
3. If you have any leftover stuffing, you can place it in a separate baking dish and bake it alongside the turkey.
4. Once the turkey is stuffed, truss the legs with kitchen twine to help hold the stuffing in place and to give the turkey a neat appearance.

Should I Cover Or Uncover Turkey

It’s generally best to roast the turkey uncovered so that the skin can brown and crisp. However, if the turkey is browning too quickly, you can cover it loosely with foil to prevent it from getting too dark.

How To Know When Turkey Is Done

To check if the turkey is done, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh (but not touching the bone). The internal temperature should be at least 165°F. You can also try wiggling the leg; if it moves easily, the turkey is likely done.

How To Make The Gravy

1. Remove the turkey from the roasting pan and place it on a cutting board to rest.
2. Place the roasting pan on the stove over medium heat.
3. Add some water or broth to the pan and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
4. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low.
5. In a small bowl, mix together some cold water and cornstarch to create a slurry.
6. Pour the slurry into the roasting pan and whisk until the gravy thickens.
7. Season the gravy with salt and pepper to taste.

How To Carve Turkey

1. First, remove the legs and thighs by cutting through the skin that connects them to the body.
2. Using a sharp knife, slice through the joint that connects the leg to the body to remove the leg.
3. Repeat with the other leg.
4. To remove the thigh, cut through the skin that connects it to the body, then slice through the joint to separate it.
5. To remove the breast meat, slice through the skin that connects the breast to the body, then slice the breast meat off in long, thin slices.
6. Repeat with the other side.

How Do I Get Crispy, Brown Skin On My Turkey

1. Make sure the turkey is thoroughly dry before cooking.
2. Rub the skin with oil or melted butter to help it brown.
3. Don’t cover the turkey while it’s cooking, as this will prevent the skin from browning.
4. Increase the oven temperature to 425°F for the last 30 minutes of cooking to help the skin brown and crisp.

Turkey Cooking Time From 8 To 24 Lb

• 8-12 pound turkey: 2-3 hours
• 12-14 pound turkey: 3-4 hours
• 14-18 pound turkey: 4-5 hours
• 18-20 pound turkey: 5-6 hours
• 20-24 pound turkey: 6-7 hours

Can I Cook Turkey Directly From Frozen

It is not recommended to roast a frozen turkey. Roasting a frozen turkey will take significantly longer than roasting a thawed turkey, and the end result may not be as moist and flavorful. Additionally, the skin of a frozen turkey may not crisp up as nicely as the skin of a thawed turkey. It’s best to thaw the turkey in the refrigerator or in cold water before roasting it.

Can I Roast A Turkey In A Convection Oven

Yes, you can roast a turkey in a convection oven. In fact, many people prefer to roast a turkey in a convection oven because it cooks more evenly and can produce a crisper skin. To roast a turkey in a convection oven, follow the same guidelines as you would for a regular oven, but reduce the cooking time by about 25%. For example, if the recommended cooking time for a turkey at 350°F is 4 hours, you would reduce it to 3 hours in a convection oven.

More Cooking Time Information:

• How Long To Cook Meatloaf At 375
• How Long To Deep Fry A 14 Lb Turkey
• If I Double A Recipe Do I Double The Cooking Time

Here’s a simple recipe exemple for cooking a turkey at 350°F: