How long does it take a fresh turkey to cook?

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How long do fresh turkeys take to cook?

All cook times are based on placing a whole unstuffed turkey on a rack in a roasting pan and into a preheated 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) oven.
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How Long to Cook a Turkey.

Turkey Weight	Servings	Cooking Time
10 to 12 lb	6 to 8	2 1/4 to 2 3/4 hours
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

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.

What temperature should a fresh turkey be cooked?

You’ll need a meat thermometer to make sure you cook your turkey to the right temperature. Insert it close to, but not touching, the thigh bone. If it reads 180 degrees F in the thigh and 170 degrees F in the breast, it’s done and ready to serve.

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Do you cover a turkey when you cook it?

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.

Which is better a frozen or fresh turkey?

The National Turkey Federation says, “There is no quality difference between a fresh and frozen turkey.” We can only assume they’re also referring to “refrigerated” turkeys. … When choosing your turkey, also keep in mind that frozen turkeys take a long time to thaw — one day for every five pounds.

How long should you cook a turkey at 325?

How Long to Roast a Turkey

For one 8- to 12-pound turkey, roast at 325°F for 2¾ to 3 hours.
For one 12- to 14-pound turkey, roast at 325°F for 3 to 3¾ hours.
For one 14- to 18-pound turkey, roast at 325°F for 3¾ to 4¼ hours.
For one 18- to 20-pound turkey, roast at 325°F for 4¼ to 4½ hours.

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

Using a convection oven yields more efficient cooking. Because dry hot air is blowing directly on the food, your dishes will cook about 25 percent faster in a convection oven.

How long does it take to cook a 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.

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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.

Should I rub butter on my 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.

Can I butter my turkey the night before?

The bird should be prepared the night before. Mix the butter with the salt and freshly ground black pepper, then season the cavity of the bird. Rub the butter mix all over the turkey. … Take the turkey out of the fridge and allow it to come to room temperature while the oven is heating up.