The simplest way to figure out turkey roasting times is to calculate 13 minutes per pound at 350°F for an unstuffed turkey (that’s about 3 hours for a 12- to 14-lb turkey), or 15 minutes per pound for a stuffed turkey.
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 should you cook a turkey at 325?
For one 8- to 12-pound turkey, roast at 325°F for 2¾ to 3 hours.
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.
At what temperature do you cook a turkey?
What temperature to cook the turkey? Preheat the oven to 450°F then drop the temperature to 350°F after putting the turkey into the oven. What temperature should the turkey be? The turkey is done when it registers a minimum of 165° in the thickest part of the thigh.
How long should a 20 pound turkey cook at 350 degrees?
If your turkey weighs 18 to 20 pounds, roast it at: 425°F for 3½ to 3¾ hours. 400°F for 3¾ to 4 hours. 350°F for 4 to 4¼ hours.
How do I keep my turkey moist?
When you roast that turkey, it will retain more moisture, making for juicier, tastier meat. To dry brine a turkey, gently separate the skin from the breast meat, and rub kosher salt into the cavity in between, as well as all over the legs and back.
Is it better to cook a turkey in a convection oven or regular oven?
Because dry hot air is blowing directly on the food, your dishes will cook about 25 percent faster in a convection oven. Additionally, the circulating convection heat prevents oven “hot spots,” making the entire oven space perfect for cooking the turkey and side dishes all at once.
How many minutes per pound do you cook a turkey?
When calculating your roasting time, plan on about 15 minutes per pound. 4. A turkey will cook more evenly if it is not densely stuffed.
Can I roast a turkey at 300 degrees?
While oven is heating, wash turkey in cold water, removing giblets, neck, tail and any pinfeathers. Rub oil over all sides of turkey. and place turkey in uncovered roasting pan in oven. Bake for 1 hours at 300 degrees to kill bacteria.
Should I put butter or oil on my turkey?
Once you’ve carefully dried off the skin, the next step you can take to guarantee perfectly crispy turkey skin is to rub it with a fat, like butter or oil. Oil will yield a crispier skin than butter because butter is at least 20 percent water, while oil contains no water.
Do you put water in bottom of roasting pan when cooking a turkey?
We do not recommend adding water to the bottom of the pan. Cooking a turkey with steam is a moist heat-cook method and is acceptable, sure, but is not the preferred method for cooking your turkey.” … As a result, your turkey gravy may taste lackluster.
Should I rub butter on my turkey?
If you do oil , but do not baste your turkey, you’ll get crispier skin without constantly opening the oven. … Basting also gives you a less crisp skin. Instead of basting, rub fat (butter, olive oil or coconut oil, for example) all over the bird just before you tuck it into the oven.
Should I start my turkey at a higher temperature?
After thawing in cold water, the turkey should be cooked immediately. … Some people start their turkey at a high temp, such as 450 or 475 to get a nice color on the skin, then lower the temperature after say 20 minutes to cook the bird through (around 350 or so).
How many hours do u cook a turkey?
But the very general rule is around 15 minutes per pound for an unstuffed turkey at 325ºF. That time will vary, though, based on the size of your bird, the oven temperature, and if it’s stuffed. So let’s say you’ve got a 10-pound unstuffed bird. At 325ºF it should cook anywhere between 2.5 hours to 3 hours and change.
How often should you baste a turkey?
How often to baste a turkey. Most recipes will tell you to baste your turkey every thirty minutes. But our rule of thumb is actually every forty minutes, and here’s why. You don’t want to open the oven too many times, or else the whole bird will take much long to cook, and that’s a huge inconvenience.