How long does it takes to cook a turkey?

Contents

Turkey Weight	Servings	Cooking Time
12 to 14 lb	8 to 10	2 3/4 to 3 hours
15 to 18 lb	10 to 12	3 1/4 to 4 hours
18 to 20 lb	12 to 14	4 to 4 1/4 hours
20 to 22 lb	14 to 16	4 1/4 to 4 3/4 hours

How long does it take to cook a 20 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.

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 does it take to cook a full size turkey?

At 325ºF it should cook anywhere between 2.5 hours to 3 hours and change. For an 18-pounder, you’re probably looking at around 3.5 to 4 hours of oven time. For a 20-pound turkey, settle in for the afternoon. This could take around 4 to 4.5 hours.

IT IS INTERESTING: How long does it take to deep fry a 16lb turkey?

How long does it take to cook a stuffed turkey?

Cooking time takes longer for a stuffed turkey. For example, a 20 pound stuffed turkey will take 4 1/4 to 5 1/4 hours to cook.
…
Stuffed Roast Turkey.

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

Should I start my turkey at a higher temperature?

I find it is best to start the turkey at a fairly high temperature (400°F), roast for about twenty minutes and then lower the heat to 350°F for the remainder of the cooking time.

Do you 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 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 in a convection oven or regular oven?

Convection ovens use a fan to move the hot air around, so food cooks about 30 percent faster than it does in a conventional bake oven, which does not have a fan. … So, although a convection oven will cook faster, even a bake oven will work if the turkey is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165 degrees.

IT IS INTERESTING: Do you use a lid to boil eggs?

How often do you baste a turkey while cooking?

How often to baste a turkey. Most recipes will tell you to baste your turkey every thirty minutes. But our rule of thumb is actually every forty minutes, and here’s why. You don’t want to open the oven too many times, or else the whole bird will take much long to cook, and that’s a huge inconvenience.

How long does a turkey take in a convection oven?

How long do I cook a turkey in a convection oven?

12-15 pounds, 1.5-2 hours.
15-20 pounds, 2-2.5 hours.
20-25 pounds, 2.5-3 hours.

Is it better to cook a turkey at a lower temperature?

A lower the rack will take more time to thaw. It’s absolutely critical that the turkey is completely thawed to be successful using a low-temperature, slow-bake recipe.

How do I cook a Butterball stuffed turkey?

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS

Cook from Frozen. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).
Remove plastic bag. …
Place breast on rack in shallow roasting pan.
Brush with oil to prevent drying. …
Cook for 4 hours or until meat thermometer reads 165°F (74°C).
Let it stand for 10 to 15 minutes before removing the netting and slicing.

Does stuffing a turkey keep it moist?

The stuffing is deep inside the turkey cavity and it takes a while for the oven’s heat to penetrate that far, so long in fact that you risk overcooking the breast meat. … This helps make up for some of the flavor and moisture lost by cooking the stuffing outside of the turkey.