If your turkey weighs 21 to 22 pounds, cook it at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 4 12 to 4 34 hours.325°F for four and a half to five hours.
How long should a 22-pound turkey be cooked at 325 degrees?
Step 9: Roasting the Turkey (at 325 degrees) – Roast the turkey until the internal temperature of the thigh muscle registers at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit on a meat thermometer. The USDA recommends using a meat thermometer to ensure the center of the stuffing is also at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit if the turkey was stuffed.
How long does it take to cook a 20 lb turkey?
Cooking Times for Turkey – My Food and Family If this is your first year hosting Thanksgiving, you likely have a number of questions. Cooking times are at the top of the list of turkey-related questions we can answer. Due to the fact that turkey cooking times depend on a variety of variables, we have a great deal of information for you.
- You are certain to find the combination of factors that will lead you to the desired turkey cooking times.
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- The stuffing should be considered first when determining when to place the turkey in the oven.
- The cooking time for a stuffed turkey is longer than for an unstuffed turkey.
Assuming you are roasting your turkey in an oven heated to 325°F, plan on 15 to 17 minutes per pound of unstuffed turkey. Estimate 20 to 22 minutes per pound for stuffing a turkey. In the real world of your kitchen, this means for a turkey without stuffing:
| Turkey size | 8-12 lb. | 12-14 lb. | 14-18 lb. | 18-20 lb. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Time | 2¾-3 hours | 3-3¾ hours | 3¾-4¼ hours | 4¼-4½ hours |
Remember that the times are approximations. Taking the turkey’s temperature with a quick-read thermometer or a meat thermometer is the best way to determine when it is fully cooked. When the temperature reaches 180 degrees Fahrenheit when the thermometer is inserted into the thickest portion of the thigh without touching the bone, the turkey is cooked.
In addition, the meat on the thighs and drumsticks should feel soft when pressed, and when a fork is inserted into the thigh, the juices should run clear, not pink. If you have stuffed the turkey, check the temperature of the stuffing as well. The core should register 165 degrees Fahrenheit. All of the information above pertains to a standard oven.
If using a convection oven, be sure to check the turkey’s temperature an hour before the recommended cooking time: It will cook faster, and an overcooked bird is undesirable: Cooking Times for Turkey – My Food and Family
