Roast in a 325°F oven for 2-1/4 hours. Remove foil; cut band of skin or string between drumsticks so thighs cook evenly. Continue roasting for 30 to 45 minutes more (1 to 1-1/4 hours if stuffed), or until the thermometer registers 180°F; and the center of the stuffing (if using) is 165°F.
How long does it take to cook an eight pound turkey?
Approximate Times for Roasting an Unstuffed Turkey
| Weight | Time |
|---|---|
| 6-8 lbs. | 2 1/2 to 3 hours |
| 8-12 lbs. | 3 to 4 hours |
| 12-16 lbs. | 4 to 5 hours |
| 16-20 lbs. | 5 to 5 1/2 hours |
Is it better to cook a turkey at 325 or 350?
Do I Cook a Turkey at 325 or 350 Degrees? Though “low and slow” is a good rule for cooking a bird all the way through without burning it, there’s no hard-and-fast rule. All of our temperature guides assume you’re cooking at 325, but you can cook it a little warmer for roughly the same, or just a little less time.
How long does it take to cook an 8 pound turkey at 350?
How long you cook your turkey can vary, depending on the temperature of the oven and whether or not your turkey recipe calls for a stuffed or unstuffed bird. We recommend roasting turkey at 350 degrees F for 13 minutes per pound for an unstuffed turkey.
How long does it take to cook an unstuffed 8 pound turkey?
Traditional Roast Turkey (unstuffed)
| Unstuffed | |
|---|---|
| 8 to 12 pounds | 2 3/4 to 3 hours |
| 8 to 12 pounds | 3 to 3 1/2 hours |
| 12 to 14 pounds | 3 1/2 to 4 hours |
| 14 to 18 pounds | 4 to 4 1/4 hours |
Do you cover turkey when roasting?
To achieve that balance, the ideal is to let the bird spend time both covered and uncovered: We recommend covering your bird for most of the cooking time to prevent it from drying out, then removing the cover for the last 30 minutes or so to allow the skin to crisp.
How long do I cook an 8-pound turkey breast?
An 8-pound turkey breast should roast for about 2.5 to 3 hours in a 400 degree F. oven. For the first 2 hours, cover the baking dish with foil, and remove the foil for the last 30 minutes to an hour of baking time.
Should a turkey be rinsed before cooking?
Should You Rinse a Turkey? In short, no. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), rinsing a raw turkey in the kitchen sink can lead to the spread of bacteria on countertops, nearby food, and other surfaces, which can cause cross-contamination.
Should you take turkey out of fridge before cooking?
Before it goes in the oven, the turkey should be at room temperature, so take it out of the fridge (1 hr for a whole turkey, or 30 mins for a cut) before cooking. Keep it covered in a cool place.
What is the best temperature to bake a turkey?
Our Best Turkey Tips
- Buy two smaller birds (or one whole turkey and one turkey breast) if you’re feeding a crowd.
- The Test Kitchen agrees that 375℉ is the best temperature to cook a turkey, because it’s not too hot, not too cold, and cooks quickly enough to ensure that a juicy, flavorful bird is ready by dinnertime.
Do you put water in the bottom of the roasting pan for turkey?
Place on the bottom of your roasting pan. Place the turkey, breast-side up on top of the vegetables. Add about a half-inch of liquid (water or stock) to the roasting pan. This will keep the oven moist, and the turkey juicy.
How many hours per pound do you cook a turkey breast?
A very frequently asked question around turkey is: how long to cook a turkey breast per lb? The answer is simple! 20 minutes per pound at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
How long should a turkey rest for?
Thanksgiving Help Line
Pull it out as soon as the temperature hits 165, or even a little lower. The amount of resting time depends on the size of the bird, but at least 20 minutes is needed. A large bird can wait up to 40 minutes or longer, depending on the temperature of the room.
How long do you cook a 9 lb turkey?
Unstuffed
- 4 to 8 pounds (breast only): 1 1/2 to 3 1/4 hours.
- 8 to 12 pounds: 2 3/4 to 3 hours.
- 12 to 14 pounds: 3 to 3 3/4 hours.
- 14 to 18 pounds: 3 3/4 to 4 1/4 hours.
- 18 to 20 pounds: 4 1/4 to 4 1/2 hours.
- 20 to 24 pounds: 4 1/2 to 5 hours.
How long do you cook a 7 lb turkey?
Roasting times for a turkey breast cooked in a 325 degrees F oven: Unstuffed, a 2 to 3-pound turkey will cook from 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Unstuffed, a 7 to 8-pound turkey will cook from 2 1/4 to 3 1/4 hours; if stuffed, it will cook in 3 to 4 hours.
How long do you cook a turkey for at 350?
10. Calculate turkey cooking time and temperature. The simplest way to figure out turkey roasting times is to calculate 13 minutes per pound at 350°F for an unstuffed turkey (that’s about 3 hours for a 12- to 14-lb. turkey), or 15 minutes per pound for a stuffed turkey.
How do I keep my turkey moist?
Here is a fantastic tip: to protect the turkey breast and keep it juicy: Fold a large square sheet of foil into a triangle. Rub one side of your triangle with olive oil and shape the foil (oil-side-down) over the turkey breast, then remove foil; it will shield your turkey breast and keep it from getting dry.
Should I cover my turkey with aluminum foil?
Butterball suggests that after the turkey has been cooking for 2/3 of the amount of time needed (depending on the size of the bird), that you cover the breasts with a small tent made of aluminum foil. This will slow down the cooking process of the turkey breasts.
How do you make turkey skin crispy?
Rub the skin with fat.
Once you’ve carefully dried off the skin, the next step you can take to guarantee perfectly crispy turkey skin is to rub it with a fat, like butter or oil. Oil will yield a crispier skin than butter because butter is at least 20 percent water, while oil contains no water.
Is turkey done at 165 or 180?
While some recipes state that turkey should be cooked to 180 degrees Fahrenheit, the meat is safe to consume once it reaches the 165-degree mark. Cooking the breasts past 165 can result in dry meat, but the dark meat can be cooked to 180.
How long does it take to cook a 7 lb turkey breast?
The general rule is to roast the turkey breast for 20 minutes per pound. So, if my turkey breast weighs 7 lbs, I will cook it for 140 minutes (2 hours and 20 minutes). When the time is up, check the breast in the meatiest place to make sure it reads 165 degrees F.
Why you should never wash your turkey?
Despite popular belief, food experts warn that washing turkey and other raw meats isn’t an effective way to remove germs. In fact, it’s more likely to send harmful bacteria that causes salmonella and other food-borne illnesses splashing onto the sink and other kitchen surfaces.
Why you shouldn’t wash your turkey?
Washing your poultry can splash potentially contaminated droplets and juices onto your countertop, nearby utensils and ready-to-eat foods. A more dangerous concern is that washing your poultry will contaminate the sink, which, if not sanitized properly, can pose a significant cross-contamination risk.
Does a Butterball turkey need to be washed?
Should I wash my turkey? “No, you really shouldn’t. The thing that’s great about Butterball turkeys is that they’re all cleaned out and everything like that. And if you wash your turkey, you’re getting raw juices splashing all over your kitchen.
What time should you start cooking a turkey?
Season it the night before and pop it in the oven Thanksgiving morning. When you should start cooking: Season the turkey the night before and start cooking it Thanksgiving morning. While it’s best to actually cook your turkey on Thanksgiving day, Holzman recommends seasoning your turkey the night before.
Can I unwrap turkey night before?
4. Unwrap your turkey the night before. Leaving your bird uncovered in the fridge for 8-10 hours before cooking dries out the skin, which will give it that beautifully browned, extra-crispy exterior that we all dream about. 5.
Can I leave my turkey out overnight to thaw?
Can you leave a turkey out to thaw overnight, perhaps? The short answer is no. Here are the wrong ways to thaw your bird and the safest way to thaw a turkey.
Should you wash turkey?
Wash your hands, but not the turkey! Many consumers think that washing their turkey will remove bacteria and make it safer. However, it’s virtually impossible to wash bacteria off the bird. Instead, juices that splash during washing can transfer bacteria onto the surfaces of your kitchen, other foods and utensils.
Should I put broth in turkey pan?
I also like to add 1 cup chicken broth/stock to the bottom of the turkey pan before beginning the cooking. This will create a steam room-type environment in the oven, which help keep the breast moist but will not prevent browning of the skin.
How often should you baste a turkey?
Most recipes will tell you to baste your turkey every thirty minutes. But our rule of thumb is actually every forty minutes, and here’s why. You don’t want to open the oven too many times, or else the whole bird will take much long to cook, and that’s a huge inconvenience.
Do you cook a turkey breast side up or down?
The United States Department of Agriculture advises to cook a whole turkey breast side up during the entire cooking time. Turning over a large, hot bird can be dangerous and it’s very easy to tear the skin, making the finished product less attractive.
How long does it take to cook an 8 pound turkey breast in a convection oven?
It typically takes between 1 1/5 to 3 1/5 hours for a turkey breast to roast at 325 F in a convection oven. Your convection oven turkey breast is safe to consume when the meat has reached an internal temperature of 165 F (74 C).
Do you cover a turkey breast when cooking?
Cover the turkey to prevent over-browning.
If the skin over the breast meat begins to brown too darkly toward the end of cooking, cover it with aluminum foil to prevent scorching.
How long do I let a turkey sit before carving?
Before you cut a thing, let your turkey rest — at least 30 minutes — so its juices don’t end up on the cutting board.
How long can a turkey sit before carving?
3. The turkey needs to rest before carving. About 45 minutes or so gives it time to reabsorb the juices; otherwise they’ll dribble out when you slice, and the meat will be dry. Don’t tent the turkey with foil to keep it warm while it’s resting; it’s unnecessary and will make the skin soggy.
How do you tell if a turkey is done?
You’ll need a meat thermometer to make sure you cook your turkey to the right temperature. Insert it close to, but not touching, the thigh bone. If it reads 180 degrees F in the thigh and 170 degrees F in the breast, it’s done and ready to serve.
How long does a 10lb turkey take to cook?
How Long to Cook Your Turkey
- 10-pound turkey: about 2 hours 10 minutes.
- 12-pound turkey: about 2 hours 36 minutes.
- 14-pound turkey: about 3 hours 2 minutes.
- 16-pound turkey: about 3 hours 28 minutes.
- 18-pound turkey: about 3 hours 54 minutes.
- 20-pound turkey: about 4 hours 20 minutes.
How many will a 9 lb turkey breast feed?
4 to 6 people = 4- to 9-lb. turkey (If you can’t find a bird that small, you can get a slightly larger bird that will allow for more leftovers.) 8 to 10 people = 14- to 16-lb. turkey.
How long do you cook a turkey calculator?
Third, different ovens vary slightly in temperature.
| Turkey Size | Cooking Time (unstuffed) | Cooking Time (stuffed) |
|---|---|---|
| 12 – 14 lbs | 3 – 3 ¾ hours | 3 ½ – 4 hours |
| 14 – 18 lbs | 3 ¾ – 4 ¼ hours | 4 – 4 ¼ hours |
| 18 – 20 lbs | 4 ¼ – 4 ½ hours | 4 ¼ – 4 ¾ hours |
| 20 – 24 lbs | 4 ½ – 5 hours | 4 ¾ – 5 ¼ hours |
How many minutes per pound do I cook a stuffed turkey?
The turkey is done when a meat thermometer inserted into a thigh registers 165°F and the juices from the thigh run clear, about 4 hours in all (18 to 20 minutes per pound for a stuffed bird). If the skin browns too much before the turkey is done, cover the bird loosely with foil.
How long do you cook a Butterball turkey?
Roast in center of oven. Allow room for bag to expand without touching the oven racks or walls. Approximate roasting time is 3-4 ½ hours. Roasting time will vary by oven.
Is it better to cook a turkey at 325 or 350?
Do I Cook a Turkey at 325 or 350 Degrees? Though “low and slow” is a good rule for cooking a bird all the way through without burning it, there’s no hard-and-fast rule. All of our temperature guides assume you’re cooking at 325, but you can cook it a little warmer for roughly the same, or just a little less time.
Do you cook a turkey at 325 or 350 degrees?
Roast the turkey uncovered at a temperature ranging from 325°F to 350°F. Higher temperatures may cause the meat to dry out, but this is preferable to temperatures that are too low which may not allow the interior of the turkey to cook to a safe temperature.
What is the lowest safe temperature to cook a turkey?
Make it safe – The United States Department of Agriculture ( USDA ) recommends temperatures no lower than 325 degrees Fahrenheit for cooking meat and poultry. Cook turkey to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Should I put butter or oil on my turkey?
Don’t butter your bird
Placing butter under the skin won’t make the meat juicier, though it might help the skin brown faster. However, butter is about 17 percent water, and it will make your bird splotchy, says López-Alt. Instead, rub the skin with vegetable oil before you roast.
What do you put in a turkey cavity?
Liberally salt and pepper the inside of the turkey cavity. Stuff the cavity with the bunch of thyme, halved lemon, quartered onion, and the garlic. Brush the outside of the turkey with the butter mixture and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Should you baste a turkey?
Do Not Baste. Basting the skin is not necessary to flavor the meat. You’ll flavor the skin, but you’ll also let heat out of the oven each time you open it to baste. “That means the bird is going to be in there for a longer time cooking, which means it’s going to dry out more,” Brown says.
Is it better to cook a turkey covered or uncovered?
To achieve that balance, the ideal is to let the bird spend time both covered and uncovered: We recommend covering your bird for most of the cooking time to prevent it from drying out, then removing the cover for the last 30 minutes or so to allow the skin to crisp.
How long should you take a turkey out of the fridge before cooking?
Before it goes in the oven, the turkey should be at room temperature, so take it out of the fridge (1 hr for a whole turkey, or 30 mins for a cut) before cooking. Keep it covered in a cool place.
Do Butterball turkeys have butter in them?
In fact, there is no actual butter in or on a Butterball turkey. The fresh turkeys are injected with a basting solution made of salt water and “common household spices,” one brand representative told me. Butterball will not share the ingredients of its secret basting formula.
Should I use an oven bag for my turkey?
Cooking your Thanksgiving turkey in a Reynolds® Turkey Oven Bag is a great way to ensure your turkey will stay moist and succulent, while turning out deliciously browned. The best part: all the delicious juices stay in the Oven Bag, so you won’t even need to scrub the roasting pan with these easy steps.
What do you baste a turkey with?
Basting is periodically drizzling some liquid over roasting meat to moisten and flavor it during the long cooking time. You can baste turkey with melted butter or other fat, stock, or drippings from the roasting pan.
Where do you stick thermometer in turkey?
Here are few tips to keep in mind:
- When preparing a whole turkey, insert the thermometer into the thickest portion of the turkey breast, the innermost portion of thigh and the innermost portion of the wing.
- Make sure the thermometer does not touch bone, gristle or the pan.
How do you rest a turkey after cooking?
Once cooked, carefully lift the turkey out of the tray and rest on a board. Cover loosely with foil for at least an hour while you get on cooking your roast potatoes.
What temperature do you bake a turkey at?
Roast in a 325° or 350° (depending on size of bird; see below) oven until thermometer registers 160°. If turkey is unstuffed, tip slightly to drain juices from body cavity into pan. Transfer turkey to a platter. Let stand in a warm place, uncovered, for 15 to 30 minutes, then carve.
How long does it take to cook an 8-pound turkey breast at 350?
How Long Does it Take to Cook a Turkey Breast per Pound at 350? In the oven, you’ll need to bake your turkey breast for 20 to 23 minutes, using a temperature of 350°F.
How long should you cook an 8-pound turkey breast?
An 8-pound turkey breast should roast for about 2.5 to 3 hours in a 400 degree F. oven. For the first 2 hours, cover the baking dish with foil, and remove the foil for the last 30 minutes to an hour of baking time.
How long do you cook a 7 lb turkey?
Roasting times for a turkey breast cooked in a 325 degrees F oven: Unstuffed, a 2 to 3-pound turkey will cook from 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Unstuffed, a 7 to 8-pound turkey will cook from 2 1/4 to 3 1/4 hours; if stuffed, it will cook in 3 to 4 hours.
How long should I cook a 6lb turkey breast?
4- to 6-pound whole turkey breast: Roast at 325°F for 1½ to 2¼ hours. 6- to 8-pound whole turkey breast: Roast at 325°F for 2¼ to 3¼ hours.