How Long to Cook a Turkey?

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The quick answer to how long to cook a turkey is - until it is done but not over-done. You measure cooking time not so much with a clock - as with a thermometer. This is true because of the many variables associated with cooking such an odd shaped piece of meat. It has a hollow center, thick parts, thin parts, fatty parts, lean parts, bones of various shapes sizes and densities.

Important Note For All Tables

Turkeys come in different sizes and weights. Some larger birds can weigh less than smaller ones because of the density of the meat or because of injected or absorbed additives.

Add to this the temperature of the turkey when it goes into the oven, the cooking temperature, loss of oven heat caused by opening the oven door, temperature fluctuation caused by the oven thermostat, incorrect oven temperature caused by a miscalibrated thermostat, uneven oven temperatures, even altitude will effect cooking time.

And when we move to the backyard, the list includes: outdoor temperature, wind, and numerous other factors dependant on the cooking method and type of cooker.

So how long to cook a turkey doesn't have a precise answer. There is a range of times when it might be done. To help control some variables, use an oven thermometer to double check your oven's temperature. For outdoor cooking, be sure your grill thermometer is accurate. And always use a meat thermometer. We recommend that you use the type of thermometer that is inserted in the bird during the entire cooking process (a probe thermometer) plus an instant read thermometer to check the temperature of the turkey in several places (and also because of the high failure rate of probe thermometers.)

If you prefer tables in metric click here

The final temperature of the bird, after "resting" for 15 to 20 minutes, should be at least but not much more than 165 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature will continue to rise 5 to 10 degrees after the turkey is removed from the oven.

The only hard part is getting the legs done before the breast dries out. For information about overcoming this problem click here.

Do you want a guide even though you know the times are estimates? Here is the best information we have for how long to cook a turkey. Use the charts below to get an idea of cooking times for turkey, but check the temperature up to an hour in advance to be certain you don't overcook. A probe thermometer, designed to stay in the meat during cooking lets you keep watch on the turkey's temperature without opening the oven door. And, if you need to get it done faster you can always crank up the heat. (See more information about thermometers under the turkey cooking equipment section.) Even if you use a good probe thermometer, we always use and recommend a good instant read thermometer to check the turkey in several places to be certain of doneness.

For Information About Oven Cooking A Turkey BELOW 325 F. CLICK HERE

How long to cook a turkey - OVEN ROASTING AT 325 DEGREES F.:

This is the traditional cooking temperature. It takes a little longer than higher heat methods, but there is less chance of smoke, and the results are good. To make this method work out even better check out the tips here: TRADITIONAL TURKEY COOKING TIPS.

How long to CONVECTION COOK a turkey - CONVECTION OVEN ROASTING 325 degrees F.:

Convection ovens can reduce your cooking time. Be sure to check the internal temperature earlier than the time listed. Convection roasting can go more quickly than expected. Again, these times are an average. The 325 degree F. temperature listed here is the true temperature of the oven. Some convection ovens try to help by lowering the oven temperature when set for convection cooking. If your oven lowers the set temperature, set it higher so that the true oven temperature is 325 F.. For more information about convection cooking a turkey click here CONVECTION OVEN COOKING TIPS.

Stuffed turkey will take longer and for that reason stuffing the turkey is not recommended. If you want reasons not to stuff a turkey, along with stuffing recipes click here .

How long to cook a turkey - HIGH HEAT OVEN ROASTING at 425 degrees F.:

This is the method sometimes referred to as the two hour cooking method because it cuts the cooking time quite a bit. If you want to try this method refer to additional information here THE TWO HOUR TURKEY.

How long to cook a turkey ON A GRILL at 350 to 400 degrees F.:

Use a 14 or 15 pound bird, larger birds don't cook well on a grill. Don't stuff it. Check your turkey an hour before you think it will be done, timing on a grilled turkey is very imprecise. Here are some tips to make your grilled turkey even better: GRILLED TURKEY.

How long to cook a turkey if DEEP FRYING: