Your question: How long do I have to cook a 19 pound turkey?

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.

How many hours does a 20 pound turkey need to 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.

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 do you have to cook a 18 lb 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 do you cook a 19 pound turkey?

Roast at 325 degrees F for about 13-15 minutes per pound, or until internal temperature (inserted on middle of thigh and breast) reaches about 165 degrees. (I remove the turkey from the oven once it reaches 160 degrees. Then, I tent it with foil, and let it rest on the counter.

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.

How long should a 20 pound turkey cook 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 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.)

Should I cover my turkey with aluminum foil?

Should I cover my turkey with foil? Roasting a turkey with heavy duty aluminum foil is a method that helps lock in moisture to prevent drying out while in the oven. It’s an easy step to help ensure your turkey is tender and moist for dinner.

What is the best temperature to cook a turkey?

165°F is the USDA recommended internal temperature for cooked turkey. The turkey will continue to cook for several minutes after you take it out of the oven, so take it out before the meat reaches those target temperatures.

How often do I baste a turkey?

The short answer is no — basting isn’t required when the goal is to roast a beautiful, juicy turkey. The main theory behind basting is to ensure moist and tender meat, usually by spooning pan juices over the roasting turkey.

How long does a stuffed 18 pound turkey take to cook?

For 10- to 12-pound turkey, roast 3¼ hours to 3½ hours. For 12- to 14-pound turkey, roast 3½ to 4 hours. For 14- to 18-pound turkey, roast 4 to 4¼ hours. For 18- to 20-pound turkey, roast 4¼ to 4¾ hours.

Should you put water in turkey roasting pan?

Add about a half-inch of liquid (water or stock) to the roasting pan. This will keep the oven moist, and the turkey juicy. This aromatic liquid can be used to baste the turkey while it cooks (there is a debate whether basting does anything, but it’s part of the tradition).

How long does it take to thaw a 19 pound turkey?

Cold Water Thawing

Change water every 30 minutes and if turkey cannot be completely covered, rotate every 30 minutes to keep the turkey chilled. Estimate a minimum thawing time of 30 minutes per lb of turkey.

How long should a turkey cook in a roaster?

Place turkey in the roaster, breast side up. Rub the turkey with the butter and season with salt and pepper. Cover the roaster and cook at 400 degrees for 30 minutes. Lower the heat to 325 degrees and cook for 3 1/2 – 4 hours until a thermometer reads 165 degrees in the thickest part of the turkey thigh.