If your turkey weighs between 18 and 20 pounds, roast it at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 4 to 414 hours.325°F for four and a half to four and a half hours.
How long is the cooking time for a 20-pound turkey?
Turkey Cooking Time Per Pound – According to the USDA, an unstuffed 18- to 20-pound thawed or fresh turkey will require between 4 1/4 and 4 1/2 hours to cook in an oven preheated to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. This equates to approximately 14 minutes per pound of food.
This is roughly four hours and twenty-six minutes for a 19-pound turkey. Stuffing a turkey will lengthen its cooking time. Depending on whether you are using a gas or electric oven, when it was manufactured, and whether the temperature is properly calibrated, turkey roasting times vary. This means that you can use the clock as a guide when roasting your turkey, but you shouldn’t rely solely on it to ensure the meat is thoroughly cooked.
Meat thermometers are more crucial than timers when roasting turkey in the oven. The USDA states that your turkey is safe to consume when its internal temperature reaches at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Insert a meat thermometer into the innermost portion of the thigh, the innermost portion of the wing, and the thickest portion of the breast to determine the turkey’s internal temperature.
What is the optimal cooking temperature for a 15-pound turkey?
When it comes to cooking a turkey, there is no room for guesswork. Undercooked turkey will make your guests sick. If you cook your turkey for too long, you will recreate the scene from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation where the turkey becomes dry.
- There isn’t enough gravy in the world to make that edible! Unfortunately, there is no simple response to the question “How long does it take to cook a turkey?” Your timing will depend on a number of variables, including weight, stuffing, and cooking technique.
- Don’t worry, though, because we’ve compiled all the answers you need for a crash course in cooking times that will ensure your Thanksgiving turkey is picture-perfect.
Let’s get started. To grill: The optimal turkey cooking temperature is 325 degrees Fahrenheit. This consistent temperature will cook the interior of the chicken while crisping the exterior. At higher temperatures, the bird’s exterior may begin to burn before the interior is fully cooked.
To Smoke: Smoking is a very low-and-slow method of cooking a turkey. When smoking a turkey, a temperature of 180 degrees Fahrenheit will produce the best results. Plan on cooking a 20-pound turkey at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for four and a half to four and a half and a half hours. However, the exact cooking time for your bird will depend on whether or not it is stuffed.
The cooking time for a 20-pound turkey that has not been stuffed is approximately four and a half hours. By stuffing your bird, you will add 15 minutes to the cooking time, bringing it closer to 4 34 hours. To clarify, these cooking times are approximate and will vary slightly depending on the cooking method used.
- Before calling time, you should always use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of your turkey.
- Plan an extra hour of cooking time into your schedule, just in case.
- The USDA recommends an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit in the thickest portion of the breast, the innermost portion of the thigh, and the innermost portion of the wing for turkey.
At that temperature, the bird will be properly roasted. A 15-pound turkey should be cooked at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for between 3 12 and 4 12 hours. Remember that this range is for a turkey weighing between 14 and 18 pounds, and that the exact cooking time will depend on whether or not your turkey is stuffed.1 A 15-pound unstuffed bird will likely be cooked within four hours (or just before).
A stuffed turkey will require at least four hours of cooking time and typically an additional 15 minutes to reach the desired internal temperature. However, regardless of the method employed, the same USDA regulations regarding the internal temperature of a 15-pound turkey apply. Don’t stop cooking your bird until the thickest portions of the thigh, wing, and breast reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
A 12-pound turkey should be cooked at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for three to three and a half hours. If you want to get more specific with those times, it will depend on whether your turkey is stuffed or not (do you see a pattern here?). At 325 degrees, a 12-pound turkey unstuffed will take approximately three hours to cook.
In contrast, stuffing a 12-pound bird will take closer to three and a half hours. The precise cooking time will vary based on the cooking method, your oven, and other factors, but this is a fairly accurate range. As with other turkey sizes, determining when a 12-pound turkey is done depends on its internal temperature.
When in doubt, adhere to USDA recommendations: 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Be sure to measure the temperatures in the thickest portions of the thigh, wing, and breast to avoid misreading. The most common method of roasting a turkey in the oven takes approximately 3 to 5 hours.
