How long does a fresh turkey take to cook?
For a fresh turkey, you should plan for 15 minutes per pound at 325 degrees (oven temperatures may vary. Adjust time and temperature accordingly). Allow extra time in case the turkey does not comply with this time frame. However, be careful not to overcook the bird as the meat will dry out the meat.
How long does it take to cook a 20 lb fresh turkey?
Cooking times will vary. For example, a 20 lb. turkey takes 4 1/4 to 5 hours to cook, check the thermometer temperature after 4 1/2 hours.
How long do you cook an unstuffed fresh turkey?
10. Calculate the cooking time and temperature of the turkey. The easiest way to figure out the roasting time for a turkey is to calculate 13 minutes per pound at 350°F for an unstuffed turkey (about 3 hours for a turkey) and 15 minutes per pound for a stuffed turkey.
What temperature should a fresh turkey be cooked?
To cook a turkey at the proper temperature, you will need a meat thermometer. Insert it near the thigh bone, but do not touch it. If it reads 180 degrees Fahrenheit for the thigh and 170 degrees Fahrenheit for the breast, it is ready.
Should I cook my turkey at 325 or 350?
Do you want to cook the turkey at 325 or 350 degrees? Slow and slow” is a good rule for cooking a bird all the way through without burning it, but there are no strict rules. All of our temperature guides assume that you are cooking at 325, but you can also cook it a little warmer in about the same or slightly less time.
Should I cover my turkey with aluminum foil?
We have found that covering the turkey with foil produces much more moist results than roasting without foil. To even out the cooking time, it is recommended to simply cover the breasts.
How long do I cook a 20 lb turkey at 325 degrees?
When baked at 325°F (the minimum temperature recommended by the USDA), a 20-pound turkey should be baked in the oven for 4 to 5 hours, or 4 1/4 to 5 1/4 hours if not stuffed. Stuffing.
How long does it take to cook a 20lb turkey at 350 degrees?
The time to cook the turkey depends on the oven temperature and whether the turkey recipe calls for stuffing the bird. For a turkey without stuffing, we recommend roasting the turkey at 350°F for 13 minutes per pound.
What temperature do I cook a 20 pound turkey at?
You can find recipes that suggest cooking the turkey at 325°F to 375°F or higher. We have found that higher temperatures cook the bird faster, but also increase the risk of overcooking, drying, or burning the turkey. Therefore, we recommend 325°F.
Do you put water in a roaster oven when cooking a turkey?
Electric Roaster Ovens take full advantage of this feature by distributing heat and liquid evenly to cook food. Covered roasters trap and recycle moisture from food during cooking, so additional water or other liquids are not needed unless required by the recipe.
How many minutes per pound do you cook turkey?
When cooking a turkey without stuffing, the general rule is 15 to 20 minutes per pound of turkey. Since roasting stuffed turkey is no longer considered food-safe (not to mention drying the turkey meat), it is best to stick to this method and bake one of these crowd-pleasing stuffing recipes in a separate dish.
How long does it take to bake a turkey in the oven?
Place the turkey in a roasting pan. Sprinkle the outside of the turkey with a few tablespoons of olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast the turkey for about 3 hours, or until a thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the thigh reads 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
How long should a turkey rest before you carve it?
Allow the turkey to rest for at least 30 minutes before cutting anything, so its juices do not remain on the cutting board.
Should I tent my turkey?
Butterball suggests covering the breast with a small tent made of aluminum foil after the turkey has been cooked for the required 2/3 of the time (depending on the size of the bird). This will slow down the cooking process of the turkey breast.
How can you tell if a turkey is done without a thermometer?
To find out if your turkey is done without a thermometer, stick a fork into the middle thigh muscle, explains Nicole Johnson, co-director of Butterball Turkey Talk-Line. When the juices turn clear and there is no longer any redness or pinkness, the turkey is done.”
How do I keep my turkey moist?
Classic Bread Stuffing Recipe
- Choose a fresh turkey, not a frozen one.
- Roast two small turkeys instead of one large turkey.
- Marinate the turkey in brine.
- Rub soft butter under the skin.
- Truss loosely or not at all.
- Roast the turkey upside down first.
- Do not overcook.
- Allow the turkey to rest before carving.
Do Fresh turkeys cook faster than frozen?
Fresh and frozen turkeys cook differently than frozen turkeys cook. Fresh turkeys tend to roast much faster than frozen thawed ones. Use a thigh meat thermometer before estimating time.
Should you take turkey out of fridge before cooking?
Before going into the oven, the turkey needs to be at room temperature, so remove from the refrigerator (1 hour for the entire turkey, or 30 minutes for cutting) before cooking. Keep it covered in a cool place.
Can you prepare a turkey the night before you cook it?
Uncover the turkey the night before. Leave the bird covered in the refrigerator for 8-10 hours before cooking to allow the skin to dry out.
Is it better to cook a turkey covered or uncovered?
Q: Don’t you cover or uncover the bird? A: The folks at Butterball recommend cooking a covered turkey in a roasting pan. Two-thirds of the way through cooking, Butterball says you can put foil over the udder area to keep the udder from drying out.
How often should I baste my turkey?
Most recipes call for baking 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.
How long should you cook a turkey at 325?
Assuming you are roasting a turkey in a 325°F oven, plan on 15-17 minutes of cooking time for every pound of unstuffed turkey. For a stuffed turkey, plan 20-22 minutes per pound. 8-12 lbs.
What is the lowest safe temperature to cook a turkey?
Be safe – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends temperatures not exceeding 325 degrees Fahrenheit for cooking meat and poultry. Cook turkey to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Should you wash your turkey?
Wash your hands, but not your turkey! Many consumers believe that washing a turkey removes bacteria and makes it safer. However, it is virtually impossible to wash bacteria from a bird. Instead, the juices that splatter during washing can transfer bacteria, other foods, and germs to cookware surfaces.
How long does it take to cook a 21 pound turkey at 325?
Expect it to take 4.5 to 5 hours to cook a 21.5-pound turkey at 325 degrees Fahrenheit. If your favorite stuffing is full, add at least 15 minutes to the total cooking time. Determine when the turkey will be done at internal temperature only.
What do you put in the bottom of a turkey pan?
Place the chopped onion, celery, and carrots in the bottom of the roasting pan. Select some herbs from the stems and add them to the vegetables.
Should I put liquid in the bottom of my turkey roasting pan?
Place in the bottom of the roasting pan. Place the turkey breast side down on top of the 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.
Should I put water in bottom of turkey pan?
Adding water to the bottom of the pan is not recommended. Cooking a turkey with steam is a moist heat cook method and is certainly acceptable, but not the preferred method for cooking a turkey.”
How do you cook a turkey chart?
Here’s a handy turkey cooking chart. Time to cook an unstuffed turkey.
| Weight | Cooking Time |
|---|---|
| 8 to 12 lbs. | 2¾ to 3 hours |
| 12 to 14 lbs. | 3 to 3¾ hours |
| 14 to 18 lbs. | 3¾ to 4¼ hours |
| 18 to 20 lbs. | 4¼ to 4½ hours |
Is turkey done at 165 or 180?
Some recipes state that turkey should be cooked to 180 degrees Fahrenheit, but once the meat reaches the 165 degree mark it is safe to consume. Cooking breasts past 165 may result in dry meat, but dark meat can be cooked up to 180.
What temperature do I cook a 15 pound turkey at?
For a 15-pound turkey, start cooking at 400°F for the first 20 minutes to brown. Then lower the temperature to 325°F for the next hour or two until the internal temperature of the breast reaches approximately 140°F to 145°F. Then reduce heat further to 225°F for 30 minutes to 1 hour or more.
Is it better to carve a turkey hot or cold?
Serving Meat on a Cold Platter Food cools much faster on a cold or room temperature platter. As a rule of thumb, serve hot food on a hot platter and cold food on a cold platter. A restaurant secret every home cook should know.
Should you season turkey overnight?
Seasoning the turkey can be done the night before or up to two days in advance. Salt is a great (and non-negotiable) place to start, but there are plenty of seasonings that can really liven up the flavor of an otherwise bland bird.
Should you flip a turkey when cooking?
Cook the bird upside down, that is, breast side down, and turn it over halfway through based on estimation. If you are using a kettle and have all the coals on one side of the grill, you can also rotate the turkey when you turn it over so that one side doesn’t burn.
What do you put in the turkey cavity when not using stuffing?
Herbs. The secret to adding flavor to your Thanksgiving turkey is to season it generously. To ensure that your favorite herbs permeate every inch of the bird, stuff a small bunch into the cavity of the turkey. Thyme, sage, parsley, and a small amount of rosemary are a great combination, but feel free to customize to your taste.
Is slightly pink turkey OK to eat?
The turkey will remain pink even after cooking to a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F. Smoked turkey meat is always pink.
How do you not overcook a turkey?
Most people overcook turkey because they overestimate the cooking time. To avoid this deadly Thanksgiving sin, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh (make sure it doesn’t hit the bone) when the bird is almost done.
What is the red thing on a turkey when cooking?
Pop-Up Timer FAQ Inside the standard pop-up turkey timer is a red plastic indicator stick housed in a plastic case. The soft metal tip is solid at room temperature, but warms as the turkey cooks, eventually melting at 165 degrees F (73 degrees C).
Should I put butter or oil on my turkey?
Don’t Butter the Bird Butter under the skin will not make the meat juicier, but it may help the skin brown faster. However, about 17% of the butter is moisture, which will cause the bird to speckle, says Lopez Alt. Instead, rub the skin with vegetable oil before roasting.
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 starting to cook. This creates a steam room type environment in the oven and helps keep the breasts moist but does not prevent skin browning.
Is it better to cook a turkey breast up or down?
The USDA recommends cooking the turkey breast whole side up throughout the entire cooking time. Flipping a large, hot bird is dangerous and can easily tear the skin, making the finished product less attractive.
Should I cook my turkey at 325 or 350?
Do you want to cook the turkey at 325 or 350 degrees? Slow and slow” is a good rule for cooking a bird all the way through without burning it, but there are no strict rules. All of our temperature guides assume that you are cooking at 325, but you can also cook it a little warmer in about the same or slightly less time.
Is a fresh turkey worth it?
Fresh or Frozen There is no difference in quality between fresh and frozen turkeys. According to the National Turkey Federation, the difference lies in the way the bird leaves the processing plant.
Which is best frozen or fresh turkey?
Of course, there are many farmers and butchers who recommend buying fresh turkey over frozen turkey because fresh turkey retains moisture better.
Should I cover my turkey with foil while cooking?
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.
How long can a raw turkey sit out before cooking?
Discard the turkey, stuffing, and gravy for 2 hours at room temperature (1 hour at temperatures above 90°F).
How long can you keep a fresh turkey in the refrigerator?
When properly stored, raw turkey can last 1-2 days in the refrigerator, while cold cuts can last up to 5 days. How long will cooked turkey last in the refrigerator? If you have leftovers that contain cooked turkey, you can expect them to last in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
What can I put in my turkey for flavor?
Basics like onion, garlic, thyme, rosemary, and sage lend that traditional Thanksgiving flavor. Add half a lemon or orange to take the aromatics up a notch. The citrus adds a nice brightness and tartness to your turkey.
Can I butter and season my turkey the night before?
Can I bathe my turkey in butter the night before? Absolutely!!! In fact, I believe that buttering the turkey the night before not only saves roasting day, but allows the butter to sit on the skin overnight.
Is basting a turkey necessary?
You do not need to roast the skin in order to taste the meat. Season the skin, but every time you open it up it releases heat from the oven. That means the bird stays there longer to cook. That means it will be drier,” Brown says.
What is the best temperature to cook a turkey?
Stick to a temperature of 325°F. This will ensure that the turkey is cooked all the way through without overdoing it.
Do you put water in a roaster oven when cooking a turkey?
Electric Roaster Ovens take full advantage of this feature by distributing heat and liquid evenly to cook food. Covered roasters trap and recycle moisture from food during cooking, so additional water or other liquids are not needed unless required by the recipe.
How long should a turkey rest before you carve it?
Allow the turkey to rest for at least 30 minutes before cutting anything, so its juices do not remain on the cutting board.
How can I keep my turkey moist?
Classic Bread Stuffing Recipe
- Choose a fresh turkey, not a frozen one.
- Roast two small turkeys instead of one large turkey.
- Marinate the turkey in brine.
- Rub soft butter under the skin.
- Truss loosely or not at all.
- Roast the turkey upside down first.
- Do not overcook.
- Allow the turkey to rest before carving.
What liquid do you use to baste a turkey?
You can roast the turkey in melted butter or other fat, stock, or drippings from a roasting pan.
Should you tent your turkey?
Butterball suggests covering the breast with a small tent made of aluminum foil after the turkey has been cooked for the required 2/3 of the time (depending on the size of the bird). This will slow down the cooking process of the turkey breast.