How long does it take to cook a whole turkey? new 2022
Question table
4 to 8 pounds (breast only): 1 1/2 to 3 1/4 hours. 8 to 12 pounds: 2 3/4 to 3 hours. 12 to 14 pounds: 3 to 3 3/4 hours. 14 to 18 pounds: 3 3/4 to 4 1/4 hours. 18 to 20 pounds: 4 1/4 to 4 1/2 hours. 20 to 24 pounds: 4 1/2 to 5 hours.
https://www.foodnetwork.com/thanksgiving/thanksgiving-turkey/how-long-to-cook-a-turkey
How do I keep my turkey moist?
Here is a fantastic tip: to protect the turkey breast and keep it juicy: Fold a large square sheet of foil into a triangle. Rub one side of your triangle with olive oil and shape the foil (oil-side-down) over the turkey breast, then remove foil; it will shield your turkey breast and keep it from getting dry.
https://natashaskitchen.com/juicy-roast-turkey-recipe/
How do you cook a turkey without it drying out?
“When roasting the whole bird, the key is to cook the legs longer than the breast,” Tommy says. “Once the breast is cooked, remove the bird from the oven, remove the legs and then put them back in. This stops the breasts drying out.”
https://www.delish.com/uk/food-news/a30119275/how-to-stop-turkey-going-dry/
How many minutes per pound do I cook a whole turkey?
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.
https://www.epicurious.com/holidays-events/the-easiest-way-to-cook-turkey-article
Do you put water in the bottom of the roasting pan for turkey?
Add about a half-inch of liquid (water or stock) to the roasting pan. This will keep the oven moist, and the turkey juicy. This aromatic liquid can be used to baste the turkey while it cooks (there is a debate whether basting does anything, but it’s part of the tradition).
https://www.thespruceeats.com/basics-of-cooking-turkey-101703
Should I cover my turkey with foil while cooking?
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.
https://www.foodnetwork.com/thanksgiving/thanksgiving-turkey/when-cooking-turkey-do-you-cover-it
Should I put butter or oil on my turkey?
Don’t butter your bird Placing butter under the skin won’t make the meat juicier, though it might help the skin brown faster. However, butter is about 17 percent water, and it will make your bird splotchy, says López-Alt. Instead, rub the skin with vegetable oil before you roast.
https://nypost.com/2015/11/23/6-thanksgiving-turkey-mistakes-everybody-makes/
Do you add broth when cooking a turkey?
I also like to add 1 cup chicken broth/stock to the bottom of the turkey pan before beginning the cooking. This will create a steam room-type environment in the oven, which help keep the breast moist but will not prevent browning of the skin.
https://whatscookingamerica.net/poultry/turkeytips.htm
Is it better to cook a turkey breast up or down?
The United States Department of Agriculture advises to cook a whole turkey breast side up during the entire cooking time. Turning over a large, hot bird can be dangerous and it’s very easy to tear the skin, making the finished product less attractive.
https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/Should-I-roast-my-turkey-breast-side-up-or-down
Is it better to cook a turkey at 325 or 350?
Cooking at 350 degrees Fahrenheit is better because it will make for crispy skin and an overall meatier taste. Cooking at 325 degrees Fahrenheit produces smoother skin and more tender meat.
https://www.hotsalty.com/tips/do-you-cook-a-turkey-at-325-or-350/
Does turkey get more tender the longer you cook it?
When the contracting muscle fibers reach 180° F they begin to break up. The bonds within the molecules begin to break down, causing proteins to unravel and the muscle meat becomes more tender. Of course the longer the turkey is cooked, the more the proteins are denatured and the meat gets tougher.
https://www.stevespanglerscience.com/2012/11/19/the-science-behind-cooking-a-turkey/
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.
https://www.foodnetwork.com/thanksgiving/thanksgiving-how-tos/how-to-baste-a-turkey
What temperature do you roast a turkey at?
Put the turkey in the oven at 400°F, uncovered. For the 15 lb turkey, start the cooking at 400°F for the first 20 minutes to brown it. Then reduce the heat to 325°F for the next 1 to 2 hours, until the internal temperature of the breast reaches about 140°F to 145°F or so.
https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/moms_roast_turkey/
What temperature should I cook turkey?
The government recommends cooking turkey breast to 165°F (74°C). I prefer my turkey breast at 150°F (66°F), at which point it is far, far juicier (especially if you dry brine it!).
https://www.seriouseats.com/how-to-take-the-temperature-of-your-turkey-video
What temperature do you bake a turkey?
Roast in a 325° or 350° (depending on size of bird; see below) oven until thermometer registers 160°. If turkey is unstuffed, tip slightly to drain juices from body cavity into pan. Transfer turkey to a platter. Let stand in a warm place, uncovered, for 15 to 30 minutes, then carve.
https://www.sunset.com/recipe/classic-roast-turkey
What do you put in the bottom of a turkey pan?
Place chopped onions, celery, and carrots in the bottom of the roasting pan. Pick a few herbs off the stalks and add to the vegetables.
https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/the-perfect-turkey-with-pan-gravy-recipe-2047253
What do you put in the turkey cavity when not using stuffing?
Don’t cook stuffing inside the turkey. Then you can fill the cavity of the turkey with things that will give it flavor (and add flavor to the drippings/stock): salt and pepper and any mixture of onion, apple, carrots, celery, or citrus.
https://tastesbetterfromscratch.com/easy-no-fuss-thanksgiving-turkey/
Is it OK to cook a turkey in an aluminum pan?
If you do not have a suitable roaster, a disposable aluminum foil roasting pan can be used for cooking a turkey.
https://www.thespruceeats.com/roast-turkey-foil-roaster-1907480
How do you prepare a turkey the night before?
Place the turkey in a shallow dish just large enough to hold it and wrap it tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for one or two days. The day before you plan to roast the turkey, remove the plastic wrap and leave the turkey in the fridge. The skin will dry out and turn a little translucent.
https://foodschmooze.org/recipe/ina-garten-make-whole-turkey-ahead-time/
Do Butterball turkeys have butter in them?
In fact, there is no actual butter in or on a Butterball turkey. The fresh turkeys are injected with a basting solution made of salt water and “common household spices,” one brand representative told me. Butterball will not share the ingredients of its secret basting formula.
https://www.ecowatch.com/why-you-should-think-twice-about-buying-a-butterball-turkey-1881976555.html
When should I start cooking my turkey?
Your turkey will cook more evenly and faster if you start it out at room temperature so remove the turkey from the refrigerator 1 hour before roasting. If you plan to stuff your turkey, wait until you’re ready to put it in the oven before putting the stuffing in the turkey.
https://blog.williams-sonoma.com/how-to-roast-a-turkey/
Should I put olive oil on my turkey?
Olive oil performs well in temperatures needed for roasting in the oven and can help you cook a delicious turkey. If you have a flavor injector, you can inject extra virgin olive oil right into the breast meat for flavorful and juicy breast meat.
https://www.aboutoliveoil.org/10-ways-to-use-olive-oil-at-thanksgiving-0
How do you season a turkey under the skin?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7NmDobLJqs
Is it better to cook a turkey covered or uncovered?
Q: Should I roast the bird covered or uncovered? A: The Butterball folks recommend cooking the turkey uncovered in a roasting pan. Two-thirds of the way through cooking, Butterball says foil can be placed over the breast area to prevent it from drying out.
How do you prepare a turkey?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDuFfDfUj0g
Should turkey come to room temperature before cooking?
Before it goes in the oven, the turkey should be at room temperature, so take it out of the fridge (1 hr for a whole turkey, or 30 mins for a cut) before cooking. Keep it covered in a cool place.
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/glossary/how-to-cook-a-turkey-glossary
Should you flip turkey while cooking?
Traditional turkey methods are prone to overcooking the breast meat or undercooking the dark meat. The benefits of roasting a turkey breast-side down are twofold: The dark meat cooks faster when it’s closer to the heat source, and the juices trickle down for extra-moist breast meat. Talk about a turn for the better!
https://www.marthastewart.com/1508319/why-you-should-cook-your-thanksgiving-turkey-upside-down
How do you place a turkey in a pan?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGBwycqyyes
Which side up do you cook a turkey?
Flipping your turkey can take away from your unveiling. If you’re cooking turkey upside down, we’ve found that the roasting rack can leave unsightly marks and indents on the turkey’s breast. Or worse, you could tear the skin when trying to flip it. For the most beautiful bird, stick to roasting right-side up.
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/thanksgiving-ideas/a26165/turkey-upside-down/
Is it necessary to baste a turkey?
Do Not Baste. Basting the skin is not necessary to flavor the meat. You’ll flavor the skin, but you’ll also let heat out of the oven each time you open it to baste. “That means the bird is going to be in there for a longer time cooking, which means it’s going to dry out more,” Brown says.
https://www.npr.org/2012/11/13/165039668/turkey-tips-from-alton-brown-dont-baste-or-stuff
How long should you cook a turkey at 325?
Assuming you are roasting your turkey in a 325°F oven, plan on 15 to 17 minutes of cooking time for each pound of an unstuffed turkey. Plan on 20 to 22 minutes per pound for a stuffed turkey. 8-12 lb.
https://www.myfoodandfamily.com/article/0000000000225033/turkey-cooking-times
How do you not overcook a turkey?
Most people overcook turkey because they overestimate its cooking time. To avoid this deadly Thanksgiving sin, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh when the bird is nearly done (don’t hit the bone).
https://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/common-mistakes/article/thanksgiving-turkey-mistakes
How do you tell if a turkey is done?
You’ll need a meat thermometer to make sure you cook your turkey to the right temperature. Insert it close to, but not touching, the thigh bone. If it reads 180 degrees F in the thigh and 170 degrees F in the breast, it’s done and ready to serve.
https://www.butterball.com/how-to/check-for-doneness
Why is my turkey dry and tough?
According to Sklar, one of the biggest mistakes people make is cooking the turkey whole. Because dark meat has more connective tissues, it takes longer to break down, so if you cook the turkey whole, by time the legs and thighs are done, the breasts are overcooked and dry.
https://www.10best.com/interests/food-culture/4-reasons-your-turkey-is-dry-and-how-to-avoid-them/
Should I put liquid in the turkey pan?
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.”
https://www.bhg.com/recipes/how-to/handling-meat/roasting-a-turkey-with-water/
Why is there no juice from my turkey?
Even with tented foil, the high temperature of the roasting pan will delay the appearance of collected juices. A turkey in a roasting bag will show built up juices earliest, but even with a bag it won’t happen until the turkey is pretty far into the cooking process.
Should I season turkey the night before?
Should you season turkey overnight? Yes, it’s best to season a turkey overnight, and you can do this by creating a seasoning with various herbs and spices, and then rubbing these into the meat. This allows time for the flavors to soak into the bird before cooking, improving the penetration.
https://preparedcooks.com/should-you-season-turkey-overnight/
How long do you cook a turkey and at what temperature?
How long you cook your turkey can vary, depending on the temperature of the oven and whether or not your turkey recipe calls for a stuffed or unstuffed bird. We recommend roasting turkey at 350 degrees F for 13 minutes per pound for an unstuffed turkey.
https://www.allrecipes.com/article/turkey-cooking-time-guide/
How long should a turkey rest?
Thanksgiving Help Line Pull it out as soon as the temperature hits 165, or even a little lower. The amount of resting time depends on the size of the bird, but at least 20 minutes is needed. A large bird can wait up to 40 minutes or longer, depending on the temperature of the room.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/projects/qa/events/thanksgiving-help-line/question/8069
How long do you cook a 20 lb turkey at 350?
Yield: 24 servings. Prep Time: 30 minutes. Cook Time: 3 hours. Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes.
https://whatayummy.com/how-long-to-cook-a-20-pound-turkey-at-350/
How long do you cook a 20 lb turkey?
Cooking time will vary. For example, a 20 pound turkey will take 4 1/4 to 5 hours to cook, check the temperature on the thermometer after 4 1/4 hours.
https://web.extension.illinois.edu/turkey/unstuffed.cfm
How do you keep a turkey warm for 4 hours?
A kitchen towel placed over the foil helps keep the meat warm and moist until it’s time to be carved and served. For another option, cover the bird with foil and return it to a low-temperature, 200F oven. Place a pan of water under the turkey to create steam, which contributes to moistness.
https://www.ehow.com/how_7306245_keep-warm-moist-after-cooking.html
Where do you stick the thermometer in a turkey?
When preparing a whole turkey, insert the thermometer into the thickest portion of the turkey breast, the innermost portion of thigh and the innermost portion of the wing. Make sure the thermometer does not touch bone, gristle or the pan.
https://www.eatturkey.org/thermometer-guidelines/
Do you put water in the bottom of the roasting pan for turkey?
Add about a half-inch of liquid (water or stock) to the roasting pan. This will keep the oven moist, and the turkey juicy. This aromatic liquid can be used to baste the turkey while it cooks (there is a debate whether basting does anything, but it’s part of the tradition).
https://www.thespruceeats.com/basics-of-cooking-turkey-101703
How do I keep my turkey moist?
Here is a fantastic tip: to protect the turkey breast and keep it juicy: Fold a large square sheet of foil into a triangle. Rub one side of your triangle with olive oil and shape the foil (oil-side-down) over the turkey breast, then remove foil; it will shield your turkey breast and keep it from getting dry.
https://natashaskitchen.com/juicy-roast-turkey-recipe/
How many minutes per pound do you cook turkey?
The general rule is 15 to 20 minutes per pound of turkey when cooking an unstuffed turkey. Since roasting a stuffed turkey is no longer considered food-safe (not to mention doing so dries out the turkey meat) it’s best to stick to this method and bake one of these crowd-pleasing stuffing recipes in a separate dish.
https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/how-long-to-cook-a-turkey/
Should I cover my turkey with aluminum foil while cooking?
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.
https://www.foodnetwork.com/thanksgiving/thanksgiving-turkey/when-cooking-turkey-do-you-cover-it
Should I put broth in bottom of turkey pan?
I also like to add 1 cup chicken broth/stock to the bottom of the turkey pan before beginning the cooking. This will create a steam room-type environment in the oven, which help keep the breast moist but will not prevent browning of the skin.
https://whatscookingamerica.net/poultry/turkeytips.htm
Should I cover my turkey with the roasting pan lid?
Keep the lid on the turkey during the roasting time There is no need to baste the turkey to ensure that the breast will be evenly brown. The roasting pan recirculates the juices from the meat during the cooking time. By keeping the pan covered you’ll maintain an even cooking temperature throughout the cooking time.
https://joybileefarm.com/how-to-roast-turkey/
What can I put in my turkey for flavor?
Fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, and sage along with a half lemon go a long way to add flavor, and stuffing it into the bird takes almost no time at all. (While you’re at it, season the cavity with a good amount of salt and pepper.) Brining is an essential step to ensure a juicy bird.
https://www.epicurious.com/holidays-events/13-way-to-make-better-thanksgiving-turkey-now-article
https://www.godaynews.com/category/
