How long should I cook a fresh turkey?

Contents

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 20 pound fresh turkey?

Unsure how long you’re supposed to leave the bird in the oven? 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.

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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How soon do I need to cook a fresh turkey?

Instructions

Turkeys should be cooked within 2–3 days of processing.
Store turkey in the coldest part of your fridge (back lower corners). …
A fresh bird should take 12–15 minutes per pound; using an instant-read thermometer is the best way to tell if your bird is cooked.

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 20lb turkey at 325 degrees?

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

We recommend roasting turkey at 350 degrees F for 13 minutes per pound for an unstuffed turkey.
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How Long to Cook a Turkey.

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

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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.

Can you cook turkey at 300 degrees?

Good results can be had by roasting at 300 degrees Fahrenheit, but you can also achieve excellent results at 325 F. The rule of thumb is to select a lower temperature if you allow sufficient time in advance. … The best temperature to remove the turkey for perfectly cooked white meat is 155-160 degrees breast temperature.

Is it too early to buy a fresh turkey?

Buy a fresh turkey one to two days before the day you plan to cook. If there is a ‘best-by’ or ‘use by’ date on the manufacturer’s label, then you can keep fresh poultry, unopened, in the refrigerator until that date. Do not follow the ‘sell by’ date on the label.

Is a fresh turkey better than frozen?

Fresh or frozen

There is no difference in quality between a fresh and frozen turkey. The difference is in the way the birds leave the processing plant, according to the National Turkey Federation.