How Long Does It Take to Cook a Turkey?

Table of contents

1, The Proper Way to Take a Turkey's Temp
2, To Buy a Turkey of What Size?
3, Turkey Cooking Temperature
4, Calculating Turkey Cooking Time by Weight
5, How to Prepare a Turkey
5.1, The skin on my turkey never seems to get brown and crispy.

Preparing a Thanksgiving feast can be a marathon of several days. The centerpiece of many Thanksgiving celebrations is the enormous, glistening turkey. To help you organize the perfect Thanksgiving, we've included details like how long the turkey needs to roast for, where to find it, and what size turkey you should get.

Use our Test Kitchen's turkey-cooking guide to master the holiday staple.

To determine how long a turkey (without stuffing) should be cooked in an oven set to 325 degrees Fahrenheit, consult the following chart.

4-6 lb breast Time Range: 1:30 - 2:15 165°F 6-8 lb breast between 2 and 3 hours and 15 minutes 165°F 8-12 lbs Time: 2.45-3.0 hours 170-175°F 12-14 lbs 3.15–3.45 hours 170-175°F 14-18 lbs Time Required: Between 3:45 and 4:15 170-175°F 18-20 lbs A time range of 4 hours, 15 minutes, to 4 hours, 30 minutes 170-175°F 20-24 lbs Between 4:30 and 5 hours 170-175°F

Get the Graph Here!

The Proper Way to Take a Turkey's Temp

Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the turkey (the thighs) to determine if it is done cooking. A whole turkey should reach 170–175 degrees Fahrenheit, while turkey breast should reach 165 degrees.

Avoid touching any bone when taking the temperature; doing so can result in an inaccurately high reading and potentially unsafe undercooked meat. The thermometer's probe should be washed in hot, soapy water if the meat isn't cooked to the proper internal temperature, and repeated checks should be performed.

Thermometer for meat on the shopping list The Thermapen Mk4 is the best thermometer on the market, according to our Test Kitchen. The vibrant ThermoPop is also a fan favorite. Don't put your faith in that pop-up timer that came with your turkey. When they do pop, it's often too late to prevent the bird from becoming dry and overcooked. And this turkey hack from Ina Garten will help you avoid a dry bird.

To Buy a Turkey of What Size?

It's a common question among first-time Thanksgiving hosts: how much turkey should I buy for each guest? One turkey pound per diner is required. If you're hosting 12 people and can't find a turkey that weighs exactly 12 pounds, round up. It's preferable to have an abundance of the holiday's signature dish rather than a shortage of it.

Round up to one and a quarter pounds of turkey per person if you're serving a large group or if you want to have plenty of leftovers for the rest of the week. Then you can prepare delicious dishes from the leftover turkey.

Turkey Cooking Temperature

Our test kitchen suggests maintaining an oven temperature of 325 degrees throughout the duration of roasting a turkey. This is the sweet spot for cooking a turkey; it's cool enough that the bird won't dry out too quickly but warm enough to finish cooking quickly. Make sure your oven is ready to go the day before the party.

Calculating Turkey Cooking Time by Weight

For an unstuffed turkey, you should plan on 15 to 20 minutes of cooking time per pound. It's best to stick to this method and bake one of these crowd-pleasing stuffing recipes in a separate dish, as roasting a stuffed turkey is no longer considered food-safe (not to mention, it dries out the turkey meat).

How to Prepare a Turkey

Excellent; now you know when to start roasting However, there are a few other time-consuming tasks to consider before finalizing your Thanksgiving strategy.

Defrost It takes about three to five days to thaw a frozen turkey. If you're planning on cooking a frozen turkey for Thanksgiving, give it time to thaw in the fridge.
Let the oven heat up. Allow your oven to heat up for at least 15–20 minutes. It's best to let your oven come up to temperature, then wait 5 to 10 minutes before putting the turkey inside due to the fact that many home ovens heat unevenly. Doing so before opening the oven door ensures that heat is distributed uniformly throughout the oven. To ensure an even roast, turning the turkey over once an hour is recommended.
Rest Finally, give the turkey at least 30 minutes to rest before carving. The meat's natural juices, which had been bubbling to the surface due to the high heat of the oven, are reabsorbed during the resting process. Tender, juicy meat results from this absorption. The tenderness of the turkey is lost if it is carved as soon as it is cooked.

Want to perfect your gravy? Learn to make gravy from the juices left in the pan.

The skin on my turkey never seems to get brown and crispy.

The secret to a perfectly roasted turkey is in the preparation. And this special component is already in your kitchen cupboards. Take the turkey out of its packaging and remove the giblets the day before Thanksgiving. Then, rub the turkey down with kosher salt. Put the turkey back in the fridge until the big day when you'll be roasting it. This method not only adds flavor to the meat, but also helps the skin become crispier after baking.

Rather, and this is due to temperature alone Opening the oven door to baste causes heat loss, which causes the bird's skin to cool. The total time it takes to cook a turkey rises with each basting. More cooking time results in dry, tough meat.

Try These Fantastic Accompaniments with Your Turkey

Traditional Holiday Stuffing Exps Ppt18 41230 C08 21 3b 12

This stuffing is elevated by the addition of sausage and sage. It's great for hosting a big dinner party, and there's plenty to go around. Florida resident Lorraine Brauckhoff from Zolfo Springs

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Instant mashed potatoes can be easily dressed up with sour cream and cream cheese, slow cooked, and served straight from the slow cooker. This recipe for mashed potatoes is extra delicious when garnished with chives, french-fried onions, or Parmesan cheese. The Howell, Michigan resident Donna Bardocz

Taste of HomeDomestic Flavors

This is a go-to recipe of mine because it can be made in advance, which is especially helpful when hosting guests. The fruity accompaniment is both healthy and tasty, thanks to its low fat content. New Jersey's Cape May Court House resident Nancy Zimmerman

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The sweet potato casserole my great-aunt made for the holidays was to die for. I've made some slight adjustments, but it's still fantastic. Ohio's Beth Britton in Fairlawn:

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Baby carrots are best when steamed and then drizzled with a candy-sweet orange glaze. Supply, North Carolina's Heather Clemmons

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Both my father and husband absolutely adore this dressing. The few times there are leftovers, they freeze well. Vegetables and the dressing can be chopped and prepared (but not baked) up to two days in advance and stored in the refrigerator to save time. Since it will be cold, you'll need to increase the baking time. Bethlehem, Pennsylvania's Bette Votral

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To make this fantastic mac, I whip up a sauce with three kinds of cheese and toss the sauce and noodles together. When baked, it becomes ooey-gooey deliciousness topped with a crunchy crust. Ignore me at your peril Milwaukee resident Beth Jacobson

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The sweet potatoes, cranberries, and spinach in this salad create a festive display of color. Author: Susan Bickta from Kutztown, PA

Taste of HomeComfort Food

Prepare for some new veggie eaters thanks to this dish. Every time I make it, guests beg me for the recipe. In some recipes calling for cauliflower, I'll swap in broccoli in place of some or all of the cauliflower. Ely, Nevada's Jacki Ricci

Taste of HomeDomestic Flavors

The leftover turkey and dressing in sweet potatoes is a big hit with my kids. We have a great time cooking together, especially when we get to make our own potato boats. Bella Vista, Arkansas's Ane Burke

Taste of HomeDomestic Flavors

The dish takes on an elegant air once the carrots are cut lengthwise. Use fresh sprigs of thyme or parsley as a garnish for a touch of class and color. —Deirdre Cox, Kansas City, Missouri

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Adding squash to the dough makes for brightly colored, fluffy dinner rolls. You can use any kind of squash you like, or even cooked carrots. Gainesville, Florida: Marcia Whitney.

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My loved ones regularly ask for these rolls. Using rapid-rise yeast reduces preparation time significantly. Evanston, Wyoming local Connie Storckman

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One of my favorite foods, this cranberry sauce is a twist on the classic thanks to the addition of vanilla and rum. Green Bay, WI native Ashley Lecker

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These rolls are so soft and delicious. I have fond memories of eating them as a kid, and now I get to give that experience to my own children by making the same dish. North Dakota resident Gayleen Grote from Battle View

Making this decadent spinach dish will only take a few minutes. I always double or triple a recipe when entertaining a large group. Ariz. native Leann Ross of San Tan Valley

Taste of HomeComfort Food

The holidays at my house wouldn't be complete without this stuffing. Italian sausage and a medley of other delicious ingredients make this almost a full meal. It's no surprise that it won first place at the neighborhood cook-off. Gurnee, Illinois resident Teri Lindquist

Taste of HomeDomestic Flavors

This cranberry dish is always requested at our Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings, despite the fact that we have tried many others. Every time I've brought it to a church potluck, it's been devoured. Washington resident Eleanor Arthur

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Crispiness abounds in baked yellow squash. Keep an eye on the pieces without turning them. Flower Mound, Texas resident Debi Mitchell

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A chorus of "yums" is guaranteed whenever these spicy-sweet pumpkin rolls are served, whether at dinner or any other time of day. Topeka, Kansas's Linnea Rein

Taste of HomeComfort Food

When the oven is already in use, I like to make my favorite stuffing in a slow cooker. It pairs well with a wide variety of meats. Hope Wasylenki from Ohio's Gahanna

Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes Exps Cw16 149425 06b 28 3b 1

These soothing potatoes have a special ingredient: cream cheese. Put them in the slow cooker after being mashed and mixed. McAllen, Texas's Frieda Bliesner

These rolls, which are golden and buttery with a subtle cornmeal flavor, are ideal with a steaming bowl of chili. Marion, Illinois resident Carol Forcum

TMB Studio

I've always loved this simple green bean casserole recipe. It can be prepared in advance of company and stored in the fridge until it's time to bake. Anna Baker from Blaine, WA

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With meat, fish herbs, earthy mushrooms, crunchy apples, water chestnuts, and a zingy burst of tart cranberries, this dressing has everything a person could want in a salad dressing. Canadian Trudy Williams from Shannonville

Taste of HomeLike coming home

The combination of cheeses and ground chipotle chile gives my mac and cheese a complex flavor. Conchiglie pasta is my go-to because its shape creates more "cheese pockets." Yum Herndon, Virginia resident Colleen Delawder

Taste of HomeDomestic Flavors

My sister, however, insists that this is the best topping in the world for a slice of Thanksgiving turkey, even though I much prefer it as a side dish. Ammon, Idaho native Aysha Schurman

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When hosting guests, a cold salad like this is a great option because it doesn't require any active cooking on the host's part and can be prepared in advance.

Southern collard greens were my grandmother's specialty, and her recipe was the best in the world. You'll be in heaven if you pair them with some buttermilk cornbread. Florida's Crestview resident Sherri Williams

I always have an empty slow cooker after bringing this super rich corn to a holiday potluck or office party. It's luxurious, comforting, and well worth the extra money. Waleska, Georgia's Melissa Pelkey Hass

These cheesy potatoes are a huge hit with my grandsons. I don't need any further validation than that. I'll occasionally use unpeeled red or golden potatoes. Escondido, California native Kalee Krong-McCreery

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People always go crazy over this dish when I bring it to holiday potlucks. For aesthetic purposes, whipped cream is welcome on top. Carol Mead, writing from Los Alamos, New Mexico

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I was craving something different, so I experimented with flavors and came up with this delicious meal. I think my German grandma would be proud of me. This vibrant dish pairs perfectly with pork. Lawrence, MA resident Ann Sheehy

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One of my go-to holiday sides, this recipe feeds a crowd. It was originally intended to help feed our large family, but it works so well that it can be served to guests. Margaret E. Madison Street, McConnelsville, Ohio

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Even though this isn't exactly how she makes her green bean casserole, mom will go crazy for it. After much experimentation, I settled on giving this tried-and-true recipe an extra jolt. It's a hit because of the bacon, cheese, and crunchiness. Portland, Oregon resident Scott Rugh

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cranberries

Taste of HomeComfort Food

Preparation and cooking time for this dish take no time at all. A few dried cranberries are what I use, but you can get creative with it. Finish it off with some sliced oranges, some walnuts, or some raisins. Cut your Brussels sprouts in half if they are particularly large. Yorktown Heights, New York — Ellen Ruzinsky

Taste of HomeComfort Food

Mom always makes sure there's enough stuffing to feed our big family. In addition to the usual stuffing baked inside the turkey, she also prepares this delicious sweet potato dressing for our holiday gatherings. London, Ontario's Kelly Pollock

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The healthy vegetables, almonds, berries, and squash in this salad make it a perfect side dish for Thanksgiving. Florissant, Missouri's Katie Wollgast

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This dish is based on a mac and cheese with mushrooms that I had at a nearby restaurant. I gave it the seasonal twist of a pumpkin ale and it outdid itself Chincoteague, Virginia resident Laura Davis.

I never liked broccoli as a kid, but I can't get enough of this salad's refreshing sweetness. It completely transforms the appearance and character of broccoli. Serve these traditional Thanksgiving sides at your upcoming family gathering. —Jessica Conrey, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

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Fans of cranberries will keep requesting this sauce. Fresh, dried, and liquid forms of their favorite fruit are all included. Awesomeness is increased by orange and allspice. Lyons, Illinois resident Arlene Smulski

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This recipe for cheesy potatoes is a huge hit with my family. It's topped with a golden crumb topping and brimming with sweet and white potatoes' rich, buttery flavor. Norwalk, Ohio's Carolyn Putnam

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These came from Baba, my grandma, who used a coal oven to cook them. I have no idea how she kept the room at the right temperature. She routinely baked extra loaves for the neighbors to enjoy. Lunchtime rolls were always delivered by my mom and aunts. Charlotte Hendershot from Hudson (PA)

My slow cooker stuffing is a huge hit with the whole family. We can eat it even after Thanksgiving because it freezes well. Bethlehem, PA's Bette Votral

Holiday Brussels Sprouts Exps41471 Sd142780b08 13 4bc Rms 1

Add some flair to your Brussels sprouts by cooking them with peas, celery, and bacon. If necessary, the recipe can be easily doubled. Council Bluffs, Iowa's Jodie Beckman

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Think fondly of Grandma's turkey dressing. Re-experience its deliciousness in this classic sauce made with fresh herbs and crunchy vegetables. The convenience of using a slow cooker to prepare it is an added bonus. Lacombe, Alberta, Canada's Sherry Vink

My husband claims to be a mac and cheese aficionado, and he loves this recipe. The pasta and cheeses taste great with the Italian seasoning and tomatoes. —Adriane Mummert (Lancaster, PA)

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This is my daughter's most beloved salad. As fast as I can cook it, she eats it all up. So that the flavors can meld, I recommend making it ahead of time. Stacey Feather, a resident of Jay, Oklahoma

Taste of HomeDomestic Flavors

My son and daughter-in-law, along with their respective families, are huge fans of this sourdough stuffing. On Thanksgiving, I always make extra so that my husband can have leftovers. However, this dish is just right for two. Ocala, Florida resident Kathy Katz

Taste of HomeDomestic Flavors

Traditional apple and raisin sweet potato casserole is a family favorite. They say "Oh NO, Beema, that's part of the love," if I suggest doing something different. —Judy Batson, Tampa (Florida)

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As an alternative to the usual corn bread stuffing, this rice mixture is delicious. Sometimes I'll add some finely chopped cooked chicken and a bit more broth to make it a complete meal. The Bearden, Arkansas resident Linda Emery

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This lettuce salad is so refreshing, you'll actually look forward to eating your fruits and vegetables. Eldridge, Iowa's Bryan Braack chimes in.

Taste of HomeComfort Food

Several flavor enhancers are added to the traditional pairing of peas and carrots. The slow cooking method allows the flavors of the ingredients to fully develop. Theresa Kreyche from Tustin, CA

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This recipe, which a church friend gave me more than 40 years ago, is one of my favorites. I think of her fondly every time I make it because she was from the South. Nancy Heishman from Sin City

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To brighten the meal, I make a salad with persimmons, pomegranate seeds, and a puckery vinaigrette. Dublin, California resident Linda Tambunan

Date of First Publication: November 21, 2022

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