How long should you cook a turkey four?

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

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 cook a turkey four?

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.

Can you cook a turkey in 4 hours?

Preheat oven to 325°F. Check the wrapper to see how much the turkey weighs and determine approximate cooking time (see chart below).
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Traditional Roast Turkey (unstuffed)

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Unstuffed
8 to 12 pounds	2 3/4 to 3 hours
14 to 18 pounds	4 to 4 1/4 hours
18 to 20 pounds	4 1/4 to 4 3/4 hours
20 to 24 pounds	4 3/4 to 5 1/4 hours

How long should I cook my 20 pound turkey?

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 do I keep my turkey moist?

Classic Bread Stuffing Recipe

Choose a fresh turkey instead of a frozen one. …
Roast two small turkeys rather than one large one. …
Brine the turkey. …
Rub soft butter under the skin. …
Truss loosely, or not at all. …
Roast the turkey upside down at first. …
Don’t overcook it. …
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.

What temperature do I cook a turkey at?

To kill all bacteria, a turkey must be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F. According to the U.S.D.A., the bird must reach this temperature before you take it out of the oven. As it rests, the temperature will then continue to rise to around 180°F.

How often do I baste a turkey?

Basting is optional when roasting a turkey. To ensure a moist turkey, the key is to not overcook it. Try using a remote digital thermometer that will alert you when the turkey is fully cooked yet still juicy. If you choose to baste the bird, do so every 30 minutes.

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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.

Why did my turkey cook so fast?

Turkeys do cook faster on a Weber because it’s basically a convection oven, plus it’s directly on the grill, not in a pan, which maximizes airflow around the bird. Still, it was even faster than I expected. The only problem with it cooking so fast is that it didn’t get much smoke flavor.

Is it better to cook a turkey slow or fast?

A good rule of thumb is to allow 1 pound of turkey per person, which includes bones and some leftovers. … Two 12 pound turkeys will cook more quickly than one 24 pound bird and you’ll have twice as much breast or dark meat.

How long should a turkey rest before carving?

The turkey needs to rest before carving.

About 45 minutes or so gives it time to reabsorb the juices; otherwise they’ll dribble out when you slice, and the meat will be dry. Don’t tent the turkey with foil to keep it warm while it’s resting; it’s unnecessary and will make the skin soggy.

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.)

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How does Gordon Ramsay cook a turkey?

Roast the turkey in the hot oven for 10–15 minutes. Take the tray out of the oven, baste the bird with the pan juices and lay the bacon rashers over the breast to keep it moist. Baste again. Lower the setting to 180°C/Gas 4 and cook for about 2 1⁄2 hours (calculating at 30 minutes per kg), basting occasionally.

How many minutes do you cook a turkey per pound?

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