Best answer: How long does it take to cook an 18 pound turkey?

A disclaimer: turkeys vary, and so do home ovens. But generally, you will want to cook an unstuffed turkey for about 15 minutes per pound, at 325 degrees. For an 18-pounder, about four and a half hours would do the trick. Roasting a stuffed bird will lengthen the cooking time.

How long does it take to cook an 18 lb turkey at 350 degrees?

If your turkey weighs 18 to 20 pounds, roast it at: 425°F for 3½ to 3¾ hours. 400°F for 3¾ to 4 hours. 350°F for 4 to 4¼ 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.

Do you cook a turkey breast at 325 or 350?

The best oven temperature to cook a turkey breast is 350°. But 325° can work, but it will take a bit longer and potentially can dry a little more. 375° is too high, and you cook the skin very rapidly. The skin needs to be exposed to a 350° oven for about 1 ¾ to 2 hours to brown well.

What is the best temperature to cook a turkey?

Put the turkey in the oven at 400°F, uncovered. For the 15 lb turkey, start the cooking at 400°F for the first 20 minutes to brown it. Then reduce the heat to 325°F for the next 1 to 2 hours, until the internal temperature of breast reaches about 140°F to 145°F or so.

How do I keep my turkey moist?

Classic Bread Stuffing Recipe

1. Choose a fresh turkey instead of a frozen one. …
2. Roast two small turkeys rather than one large one. …
3. Brine the turkey. …
4. Rub soft butter under the skin. …
5. Truss loosely, or not at all. …
6. Roast the turkey upside down at first. …
7. Don’t overcook it. …
8. Let the turkey rest before carving.

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 long should you cook a turkey at 325?

This table from the USDA is based on a 325°F oven, and a fully defrosted or fresh bird. (For an unstuffed bird, we’re talking roughly 15 minutes per pound.)

Is it better to cook a turkey in a convection oven or regular oven?

When it comes to cooking turkey, convection ovens cook the Thanksgiving bird more quickly (about 30% faster) and evenly than standard ovens. … Since convection ovens take less time to cook turkey, you should set them for a lower temperature than you would a regular oven.

Do you put butter or oil on Turkey?

Don’t butter your bird

Placing butter under the skin won’t make the meat juicier, though it might help the skin brown faster. However, butter is about 17 percent water, and it will make your bird splotchy, says López-Alt. Instead, rub the skin with vegetable oil before you roast.

How many hours per pound do you cook a turkey breast?

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 many minutes per pound do you cook turkey?

The general rule is 15 to 20 minutes per pound of turkey when cooking an unstuffed turkey.

Why did my turkey cook so fast?

brining and cooking without stuffing, and having a higher temp than expected would all cause it to cook faster than expected. Brining really does speed up the cooking process a lot, though not usually by half.

Should I start my turkey at a higher temperature?

After thawing in cold water, the turkey should be cooked immediately. … Some people start their turkey at a high temp, such as 450 or 475 to get a nice color on the skin, then lower the temperature after say 20 minutes to cook the bird through (around 350 or so).

What is the lowest safe temperature to cook a turkey?

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.