How Long to Roast That Turkey?

turkey_burned
This turkey had a glaze added too soon in the roasting process!

This information is from a USDA Fact Sheet

Oven temperature – 325* – I prefer to start the roasting at 400*F, roast for 30 minutes then reduce the temperature to 325*F  and continue roasting until the internal temperature of the bird is 165*F.  When the turkey is removed from the oven and covered with foil, it will continue to cook and the temperature will rise to 170*F or so.

Do not add glazes until the last 10-20 minutes of cooking or your bird may turn out like the one in the picture!

Unstuffed
4 to 8 pounds (breast)- 1½ to 3¼ hours
8 to 12 pounds- 2¾ to 3 hours
12 to 14 pounds- 3 to 3¾ hours
14 to 18 pounds- 3¾ to 4¼ hours
18 to 20 pounds- 4¼ to 4½ hours
20 to 24 pounds- 4½ to 5 hours

turkey_baked

Stuffed
4 to 6 pounds (breast) - Not usually applicable
6 to 8 pounds (breast)- 2½ to 3½ hours
8 to 12 pounds- 3 to 3½ hours
12 to 14 pounds 3½ to 4 hours
14 to 18 pounds 4 to 4¼ hours
18 to 20 pounds 4¼ to 4¾ hours
20 to 24 pounds 4¾ to 5¼ hours

About Sylvia

Sylvia is the owner of the Christian HomeKeeper Network website and ministry. She and her husband Mark live in Tennessee. They are the parents of 5 children and grandparents to two so far. They have homeschooled since 1990. Sylvia is a Christian and enjoys mentoring women, writing articles for several magazines, gardening, Bible study and creating a peaceful holy home. Follow Sylvia on Google+.

Comments

  1. Jaleah says:

    Thanks for this post!! The PBS channel “Create” has had several cooking shows this morning where they’re cooking turkey. ALL of them have been separating the drumsticks from the main part of the turkey. Maybe the will have a show where they’re cooking the whole bird.

    Jaleah

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