The easiest way to figure out roasting time for turkey is to calculate 13 minutes per pound at 350°F for an unstuffed turkey (about 3 hours for 12-14 pounds). Roast:.
- 425°F 3½ to 3¾ hours.
- 400°F 3¾ to 4 hours.
- 4 to 4¼ hours 350°F.
- 325°F 4¼ to 4 hours.
20.10.2021
How long does it take to cook an 18 lb unstuffed turkey?
Traditional Roast Turkey (not stuffed)
| Not stuffed | |
|---|---|
| 8 to 12 lbs. | 2 3/4 to 3 hrs. |
| 12 to 14 lbs. | 3 1/2 to 4 hours |
| 14 to 18 lbs. | 4 3/4 to 4 1/4 hrs. |
| 18 to 20 lbs. | 4 1/4 to 4 3/4 hrs. |
How long does an 18-pound turkey take to cook?
For a 10-12 lb. turkey, roast 3¼ to 3 1/2 hours For a 12-14 lb. turkey, roast 3½ to 4 hours. For a 14-18 pound turkey, roast for 4-4¼ hours. For an 18-20 pound turkey, roast for 4¼ to 4¾ hours.
Is it better to cook a turkey at 325 or 350?
Do you cook your turkey at 325°F or 350°F? While “low and slow” is a good rule for cooking a bird all the way through without burning it, there are no hard and fast rules. All of our temperature guides assume you are cooking at 325, but you can cook it about the same, a little warmer, or a little shorter.
Do you cook a turkey covered or uncovered?
To achieve that balance, ideally the bird should spend time both covered and uncovered. We recommend covering the bird most of the cooking time so that the bird does not dry out. Crispy from the skin.
Do you put water in the bottom of the roasting pan for turkey?
Place in the bottom of a roasting pan. Place turkey breast side down on top of vegetables. Add about 0.5 inch of liquid (water or stock) to the roasting pan. This will keep the oven moist and the turkey juicy.
What temperature should a turkey be cooked at?
The USDA says to cook the turkey to a minimum internal temperature of 165°F. (When stuffing a turkey, the stuffing as well as the meat must be 165°F).
What temperature do I cook an 18 pound turkey?
If the turkey weighs 18 to 20 pounds, roast as follows 425°F 3½ to 3¾ hours. 400°F 3¾ to 4 hours. 4 to 4¼ hours 350°F.
How long should a turkey rest for?
Thanksgiving Helpline. Pull as soon as temperature reaches 165 or slightly lower. The amount of rest time depends on the size of the bird, but should be at least 20 minutes. Larger birds can wait up to 40 minutes or more, depending on room temperature.
Is turkey done at 165 or 180?
Some recipes state that turkey should be cooked to 180 degrees Fahrenheit, but the meat is safe to consume once it reaches the 165 degree mark. Cooking breasts past 165 may result in dry meat, but dark meat can be cooked up to 180.
How do I keep my turkey moist?
Classic Pan Stuffing Recipe
- Choose fresh turkey instead of frozen turkey.
- Roast two small turkeys instead of one large turkey.
- Brine the turkey.
- Rub soft butter under skin.
- Truss loosely or not at all.
- Roast the turkey upside down at first.
- Do not overcook.
- Allow the turkey to rest before carving.
Should you take turkey out of fridge before cooking?
Remove from the refrigerator (1 hour for the entire turkey, or 30 minutes for cutting) before cooking, as the turkey needs to be at room temperature before going into the oven. Keep covered in a cool place.
Should I start my turkey at a higher temperature?
Remove the turkey from the refrigerator 1 hour before roasting, as the turkey will cook more evenly and faster if started at room temperature. If you plan to stuff the turkey, wait until ready to put it in the oven before placing the stuffing on the turkey.
What do you put in the turkey cavity when not using stuffing?
Herbs. The secret secret to adding extra flavor to your Thanksgiving turkey is to season it liberally. To make sure your favorite herbs permeate every part of the bird, stuff a small bunch into the cavity of the turkey. Thyme, sage, parsley, and a little rosemary are a great combination, but feel free to customize to your liking.
Do you put aluminum foil over turkey?
Tips & Tricks. Always cook the turkey until the skin is bright golden brown. Cover the roasting pan with a lid or foil and let rest covered for 2 hours (depending on the size of the bird).
How often should I baste my turkey?
Most recipes will instruct you to roast the turkey every 30 minutes. However, our rule of thumb is actually every 40 minutes. The reasons for this are as follows. You don’t want to open the oven too many times, or else the whole bird will take longer to cook, and that is a major inconvenience.
What do you put in the bottom of a turkey pan?
Place the chopped onions, celery, and carrots in the bottom of the roasting pan. Select some herbs from the stems and add them to the vegetables.
Is it OK to cook a turkey in an aluminum pan?
If you do not have a suitable roaster, you can use a disposable aluminum foil roasting pan that can be used for cooking turkey.
Does turkey need roasting rack?
You do not need a rack specifically designed for roasting pans, but you will need something to lift the bird onto the bottom of the pan. Aluminum foil balls work perfectly well. Upside-down Ramekins can also be used.
How do you know when turkey is done without thermometer?
To find out if the turkey is done without a thermometer, poke a hole in the middle thigh muscle at the junction, explains Nicole Johnson, co-director of the Butterball Turkey Talk line. When the juices are clear and no longer red or pink, it’s a good sign that the turkey is done.”
How long should a turkey rest before you carve it?
Let the turkey rest for at least 30 minutes before you cut things up. That way, its juices are not on the cutting board.
How do you know when the turkey is ready?
You will need a meat thermometer to cook the turkey to the proper temperature. Insert it close to the thigh bone, but not touching it. When it reads 180 degrees Fahrenheit at the thigh and 170 degrees F at the breast, it is done and ready to serve.
How do you keep a turkey warm for 4 hours?
A kitchen towel placed over the foil helps keep the meat warm and moist as it is 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 and contribute to the moisture.
How long do you cook a Butterball turkey?
Place the pan in the oven. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F. Roast for 3 to 3.5 hours or until meat thermometer reaches 180°F when inserted into deepest part of thigh without touching bone. If necessary, cover the breast about two-thirds of the way through roasting and loosely cover the top of the drumstick with foil.
Can I let my turkey rest for 2 hours?
A 4-6 kg turkey should rest for 1 1/2 hours, while one weighing 6-10 kg can rest for 2 hours. Remove turkey from refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking.
How do you make turkey skin crispy?
Rub skin with fat. Once the skin is carefully dried, the next step you can take to ensure perfectly crispy turkey skin is to rub it with fat such as butter or oil. Since butter is at least 20% water and oil contains no water, oil produces a crisper skin than butter.
Can you leave cooked turkey out overnight?
Cooked turkeys that are left in for more than 2 hours (or 1 hour above 90°F) should be discarded. The reason is that bacteria grow rapidly when cooked turkeys are kept at temperatures between 40°F and 140°F. Attempt to refrigerate cooked turkeys as soon as possible to prevent foodborne illness.
Where is the best place to insert a thermometer in a turkey?
There are few tips to keep in mind. When preparing the whole turkey, insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the turkey breast, the innermost part of the thigh, and the innermost part of the wing. Do not allow the thermometer to touch the bones, gristle, or pan.
What if my turkey is done early?
If your turkey is done too early, things may get a little complicated, but it is not the end of the world. If it is done about an hour early, let it rest covered for about 20 to 30 minutes. Next, cover the turkey with foil and a thick towel or blanket to keep it warm.
Do Butterball turkeys have pop up timers?
Does the Butterball turkey come with a pop-up timer? The Butterball turkey does not come with a pop-up timer. Instead, we recommend using a meat thermometer as the best way to determine if the turkey is properly cooked.
Should I put butter or oil on my turkey?
Do not butter the bird. Putting butter under the skin will not make the meat juicier, but it will help brown the skin faster. However, butter is about 17% water and will dissipate the bird, says López-Alt. Instead, rub the skin with vegetable oil before roasting.
How do you cook a turkey so it’s not dry?
Says Tommy, “When roasting a whole bird, the key is to cook the legs longer than the breast. The breast is dry.”
What do you put in a turkey cavity?
Liberally salt and pepper the inside of the turkey cavity. Stuff the cavity with a bunch of thyme, half a lemon, a quarter onion, and garlic. Brush the outside of the turkey with the butter mixture and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
What if I left my turkey out overnight to thaw?
Thawing raw meat at room temperature for more than 2 hours will impose rapid bacterial growth. Is thawing the turkey at room temperature a good idea? No. If you’re doing it and using it, it’s not a good idea. If you’ve done it and used it, you’re in luck.
Can a turkey be prepared the night before?
Driveline. Test kitchens turn to this method and have the greatest flavor, juiciest meat, and crispest skin. How it’s done: rub the herbs and 2 tablespoons salt over the entire turkey and refrigerate in a plastic bag. You can season the turkey the night before or two days before.
Should you cook turkey breast up or down?
The USDA recommends cooking the entire turkey breast during the entire cooking time. Flipping a large, hot bird is dangerous and it is very easy to tear the skin, making the finished product less attractive.
Do you brown a turkey first?
Simply dry the skin of the turkey before it goes into the oven, preferably a very hot oven. The hotter the oven gets, the more completely the skin will dry out and may begin to brown. Once browning is underway, you can lower the oven temperature for the remainder of the cooking time.
What time should you start cooking a turkey?
Season the night before and pop it in the oven on Thanksgiving morning. When you should start cooking: Season the turkey the night before and start cooking on Thanksgiving morning. While it is best to actually cook the turkey on Thanksgiving Day, Holtzman recommends seasoning the turkey the night before.
Is it better to cook a turkey on low heat or high heat?
It is best to start the turkey at a fairly high temperature (400°F), roast it for about 20 minutes, and then reduce the heat to 350°F for the remaining cooking time.
Why do you put celery in a turkey?
If you do not have a roasting pan, you can actually place extra onions, celery stalks, and whole carrots under the turkey so they do not burn at the bottom. This is a great little hack if you are using a regular pan or casserole dish. Use a thermometer.
Why put an orange in a turkey?
Fresh citrus creates a porous area within the cavity and provides moisture to steam and flavor the meat. Adding citrus and herbs to complement the turkey meat is an easy way to stuff the bird and produces fresh, flavorful meat.
What can I put in my turkey for flavor?
Basics such as onion, garlic, thyme, rosemary, and sage help add traditional Thanksgiving flavors. Add halved lemons or oranges to take the flavor up a notch. Citrus fruits add a nice brightness and tartness to the turkey.
Do you put water in the bottom of the roasting pan for turkey?
Place in the bottom of a roasting pan. Place turkey breast side down on top of vegetables. Add about 0.5 inch of liquid (water or stock) to the roasting pan. This will keep the oven moist and the turkey juicy.
Is it better to cook a turkey covered or uncovered?
To achieve that balance, ideally the bird should spend time both covered and uncovered. We recommend covering the bird most of the cooking time so that the bird does not dry out. Crispy from the skin.
Is it better to cook a turkey at 325 or 350?
Do you cook your turkey at 325°F or 350°F? While “low and slow” is a good rule for cooking a bird all the way through without burning it, there are no hard and fast rules. All of our temperature guides assume you are cooking at 325, but you can cook it about the same, a little warmer, or a little shorter.
Why You Should Never baste your turkey?
Do not use a brine. It is not necessary to brine the skin to flavor the meat. Flavor the skin, but let the heat escape from the oven each time you open the oven. That means the bird will be in there longer, which means it will be drier,” Brown says.
Should I baste my turkey with butter?
Easy to make with butter, lemon juice, and a few herbs, this turkey basting recipe is simple to make and adds a delicious flavor to the turkey. It is best to refrain from the usual method of basting the turkey with drippings in a pan that is mostly turkey juice and fat. Ingredients.
| Nutrition Facts Label (per serving) | |
|---|---|
| 0g | Protein. |
How long does it take to cook a 18 lb turkey?
The easiest way to calculate turkey roasting time is to figure 13 minutes per pound at 350°F for a turkey without stuffing (about 3 hours for a 12- to 14-pound turkey). If the turkey weighs 18 to 20 pounds, roast as follows
- 425°F 3½ to 3¾ hours.
- 400°F 3¾ to 4 hours.
- 4 to 4¼ hours 350°F.
- 325°F 4¼ to 4 hours.
What is the best way to keep a turkey moist?
Here’s a great tip: To protect the turkey breast and keep it juicy: Fold a large square sheet of foil into a triangle. Rub one side of the triangle with olive oil, shape the foil (oil side down) over the turkey breast, and remove the foil. This protects the turkey breast and prevents it from drying out.
What is the most popular way to cook a turkey?
Roast. Roasting is arguably the most common way to cook a whole turkey.
What can I use if I don’t have a rack for roasting pan?
Wire rack. Wire racks can replace roasting racks. Some easy alternative wire racks include baker’s cooling racks, toaster ovens, or even microwave racks. Racks store meat on top of roasting pans.
What kind of pan should I cook my turkey in?
Generally, when cooking a turkey: A small (14-inch) roasting pan can be used for birds up to 12 pounds. The medium (16-inch) roasting pan is best for birds up to 16 pounds. The large (18-inch) roasting pan can hold turkeys up to 20 pounds.
Breaking down the bird using the baking sheet Place the turkey breast, skin side down, in an oven-safe nonstick pan in the oven and roast for 30 minutes to begin browning the skin.
Is it OK to cook a turkey in an aluminum pan?
If you do not have a suitable roaster, you can use a disposable aluminum foil roasting pan that can be used for cooking turkey.
Do you flip roast turkey?
Cook the bird upside down. That is, breast side down and turn it over halfway through based on your estimation. If you are using a kettle and have all the charcoal on one side of the grill, you will also want to rotate the turkey when you turn it so that one side is not overcooked.
Is it OK if turkey is a little pink?
The color of cooked meat and poultry is not necessarily an indication of its degree of doneness. Only by using a meat thermometer can you accurately determine that the meat has reached a safe temperature. Turkey, fresh pork, ground beef, or veal will remain pink even after cooking to a temperature of 160°F And higher.
How long do you let a turkey rest after cooking?
Pull out as soon as the temperature reaches 165 or slightly lower. The amount of resting time depends on the size of the bird, but should be at least 20 minutes. Larger birds can wait up to 40 minutes or more, depending on room temperature.
How do you know when turkey is done without thermometer?
To find out if the turkey is done without a thermometer, poke a hole in the middle thigh muscle at the junction, explains Nicole Johnson, co-director of the Butterball Turkey Talk line. When the juices are clear and no longer red or pink, it’s a good sign that the turkey is done.”
Can you let a turkey rest too long?
Can I let my turkey rest longer? In theory, yes. Past a certain point, it is best not to let the bird rest for more than an hour, as the meat will begin to cool. Therefore, if you want to serve a piping hot turkey dinner, a 45 minute to 1 hour rest period is desirable.
How often do I baste my turkey?
Most recipes will instruct you to roast the turkey every 30 minutes. However, our rule of thumb is actually every 40 minutes. The reasons for this are as follows. You don’t want to open the oven too many times, or else the whole bird will take longer to cook, and that is a major inconvenience.
Are pop up turkey timers accurate?
Consumer Reports tested 21 pop-up thermometers on whole turkeys and turkey breasts and found that these on-board timers are not always accurate. Sometimes they pop up before they reach a safe temperature. Sometimes they are too slow.