How Long Does it Take to Cook the Perfect Turkey?
How Long it Takes to Cook the Perfect Turkey
Thanksgiving and holiday cooking is upon us, and the big question looms large in everyone's minds yet again: How long does it take to cook a turkey?
For starters, how long you should roast a turkey depends largely on how much it weighs, as well as whether you plan to stuff it. For an oven set to 325°F, FoodSafety.gov recommends the following roasting times based on the weight of a fully thawed turkey:
4 to 6 Pounds (Breast) Cooking Time
1 1/2 to 2 1/4 hours
6 to 8 Pounds (Breast) Cooking Time
Unstuffed: 2 1/4 to 3 1/4 hours
Stuffed: 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours
Related: 15 Best Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes
8 to 12 Pounds (Breast) Cooking Time
Unstuffed: 2 3/4 to 3 hours
Stuffed: 3 to 3 1/2 hours
12 to 14 Pounds (Breast) Cooking Time
Unstuffed: 3 to 3 3/4 hours
Stuffed: 3 1/2 to 4 hours
14 to 18 Pound Cooking Time
Unstuffed: 3 3/4 to 4 1/4 hours
Stuffed: 4 to 4 1/4 hours
18 to 20 Pound Cooking Time
Unstuffed: 4 1/4 to 4 1/2 hours
Stuffed: 4 1/4 to 4 3/4 hours
20 to 24 Pound Cooking Time
Unstuffed: 4 1/2 to 5 hours
Stuffed: 4 3/4 to 5 1/4 hours
Related: 101 Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes
How To Know When a Turkey Is Done
While the time estimates above offer a general idea of how long a turkey will take to cook, the absolute safest way to know if your turkey is done is to use a meat thermometer. If you are cooking a stuffed turkey, you must cook it until the internal temperature of the stuffing reaches a minimum of 165°F.
If the stuffing in your turkey has reached a temperature of 165°F, the temperature of the innermost part of the turkey's thigh is likely between 165°F to 185°F, at which point it is done. If you are cooking an unstuffed turkey, roast until a temperature reading of the innermost part of the thigh reaches 165°F.
How much turkey will you need per person for your holiday dinner?
For your dinner, you can estimate that each guest will eat about 1 1/2 pounds of turkey. Here’s a general guide for how much turkey you’ll need per person:
4 people – 6 pounds
6 people – 9 pounds
12 people – 18 pounds
If you are buying a smaller bird for a smaller party – 12 pounds or less – you should allow 2 pounds per person to account for the smaller meat-to-bone ratio. These guidelines apply to both fresh and frozen turkey—if you’re cooking a frozen turkey, be sure to allow at least 24 hours of thawing for every 4 pounds of your bird.
