400°F is the perfect temperature for cooking a whole bird. You’ll get crispy skin without compromising tenderness. Depending on the size of your bird, it should take anywhere from 3-6 hours to roast at 400°F. … Here’s a great time chart for turkey roasting.
Can I cook my turkey at 450?
Prevent your screen from going dark while you cook. Move oven rack to lowest position; heat oven to 450°F. … If possible, place turkey in oven with legs to the back of the oven so they are in the hottest part of oven. Roast uncovered 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours 15 minutes, watching carefully.
What is the lowest temperature you can safely 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.
How do you cook a turkey at 425 degrees?
Roasting time (unstuffed): Roast at 425° F for 45 minutes. Cover with foil, reduce temperature to 350° F, and continue to roast the turkey until a thigh registers 180° F, 3 to 3½ hours total.
Can you cook a turkey at a lower temperature for longer?
A typical roasting temperature is around 325 degrees F for up to 8 hours depending on the size of your turkey. As you slowly roast your turkey overnight at 200 degrees F for approximately 10 hours, the low temperature and moisture is basting your turkey while you sleep. No need to baste your 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 a 20 pound turkey cook 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 |
What is the best temperature to cook a turkey?
165°F is the USDA recommended internal temperature for cooked turkey. The turkey will continue to cook for several minutes after you take it out of the oven, so take it out before the meat reaches those target temperatures.
What is the danger zone for cooking turkey?
When the turkey is left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours, its temperature becomes unsafe. Bacteria can grow rapidly in the “danger zone” between 40°F and 140°F.
What temperature do you cook a turkey on?
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 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.
How long does a turkey take to cook at 325?
For one 18- to 20-pound turkey, roast at 325°F for 4¼ to 4½ hours. For one 20- to 24-pound turkey, roast at 325°F for 4½ to 5 hours.
Do you cook a turkey covered or uncovered?
Always cook your turkey until the skin is a light golden color. Cover your roasting pan with a lid or foil and cook covered for 2 hours (depending on size of your bird) and uncovered for the remaining time. Baste your turkey every half hour or so.
Can you leave a cooked turkey in the oven overnight?
Cooked turkey that has been left out for longer than 2 hours (or 1 hour above 90° F) should be discarded. The reason is that bacteria grow rapidly when cooked turkey is kept at temperatures between 40° F and 140° F. To prevent foodborne illness, try to refrigerate the cooked turkey as soon as you can.
How long should a 20lb turkey cook?
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.
Should a turkey be covered with foil while cooking?
Just make sure you uncover the lid about 30 minutes before the turkey’s done roasting so the skin has a chance to get crispy. … Covering the bird with foil mimics what a roaster lid would do — it traps steam and moistness so the turkey doesn’t dry out — all the while allowing the skin to crisp up.