How many hours should a turkey be cooked?

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For information on how long to cook your turkey depending on its size, go to this chart. All cooking times assume that a whole, unstuffed turkey is placed on a rack in a roasting pan and placed in an oven that has been warmed to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

The interior temperature of a turkey should be 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Before slicing and serving, give the turkey at least 30 minutes to rest. using a thermometer for the oven and the use of a meat thermometer to obtain precise temperature readings is advised

Generally speaking, depending on how much you enjoy leftovers, each person should consume 1 to 1 1/2 pounds of turkey. You just need one pound of turkey per person if you're not going to make soup or sandwiches out of it.

Go for 1 1/2 pounds per person if you enjoy the leftovers almost as much as the main course. For extra advice, see our buying guide for turkeys.

Unstuffed turkeys cook faster than stuffed turkeys. At 350 degrees F, roast a stuffed turkey for 15 minutes per pound. It is crucial to monitor the stuffing's temperature; when the thermometer is inserted into the center, it should read 165 degrees F (75 degrees C).

Prepare the turkey by removing the giblets from its cavity and saving them for gravy or stuffing. The bird should then be dried both inside and out using paper towels.

Truss & Brush: Secure drumsticks with twine before brushing melted butter or oil onto the skin. See how to truss a turkey by reading our tutorial.

Roast: Place the turkey on a rack in a roasting pan and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Then, based on the weight of your bird, follow the cooking timings above.

Cover the breast loosely with a foil tent after roasting until the skin is a light golden color to stop it from browning any further. Remove the foil tent during the final 45 minutes of roasting to help the skin brown. Even though basting is not required, it does help to encourage browning.

When the turkey is finished cooking, take it from the oven and let it rest before carving. This facilitates easier carving by redistributing the liquids throughout the meat.

Make a superb gravy during the 20 to 30 minutes the turkey is resting. To learn how to create gravy from turkey drippings, consult our detailed instructions.

The most scary part of Thanksgiving for some of us is slicing the turkey. You've already made progress if you've been patient and allowed the turkey to rest before carving.

In order to prevent your turkey from being dry and to prevent a big juicy mess on your cutting board that would make it difficult to carve, give it some time to rest.

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How many hours should a turkey be cooked?

For information on how long to cook your turkey depending on its size, go to this chart. All cooking times assume that a whole, unstuffed turkey is placed on a rack in a roasting pan and placed in an oven that has been warmed to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

How Long to Cook a Turkey

The interior temperature of a turkey should be 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Before slicing and serving, give the turkey at least 30 minutes to rest. using a thermometer for the oven and the use of a meat thermometer to obtain precise temperature readings is advised

Important Notes

Generally speaking, depending on how much you enjoy leftovers, each person should consume 1 to 1 1/2 pounds of turkey. You just need one pound of turkey per person if you're not going to make soup or sandwiches out of it.

How Much Turkey to Buy

Go for 1 1/2 pounds per person if you enjoy the leftovers almost as much as the main course. For extra advice, see our buying guide for turkeys.

How Much Turkey to Buy

Unstuffed turkeys cook faster than stuffed turkeys. At 350 degrees F, roast a stuffed turkey for 15 minutes per pound. It is crucial to monitor the stuffing's temperature; when the thermometer is inserted into the center, it should read 165 degrees F (75 degrees C).

How Long to Cook a Stuffed Turkey

Prepare the turkey by removing the giblets from its cavity and saving them for gravy or stuffing. The bird should then be dried both inside and out using paper towels.

How to Cook a Turkey in Five Easy Steps

Truss & Brush: Secure drumsticks with twine before brushing melted butter or oil onto the skin. See how to truss a turkey by reading our tutorial.

How to Cook a Turkey in Five Easy Steps

Roast: Place the turkey on a rack in a roasting pan and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Then, based on the weight of your bird, follow the cooking timings above.

How to Cook a Turkey in Five Easy Steps

Cover the breast loosely with a foil tent after roasting until the skin is a light golden color to stop it from browning any further. Remove the foil tent during the final 45 minutes of roasting to help the skin brown. Even though basting is not required, it does help to encourage browning.

How to Cook a Turkey in Five Easy Steps

When the turkey is finished cooking, take it from the oven and let it rest before carving. This facilitates easier carving by redistributing the liquids throughout the meat.

How to Cook a Turkey in Five Easy Steps

Make a superb gravy during the 20 to 30 minutes the turkey is resting. To learn how to create gravy from turkey drippings, consult our detailed instructions.

Make Gravy While the Turkey Rests

The most scary part of Thanksgiving for some of us is slicing the turkey. You've already made progress if you've been patient and allowed the turkey to rest before carving.

How to Carve Turkey

In order to prevent your turkey from being dry and to prevent a big juicy mess on your cutting board that would make it difficult to carve, give it some time to rest.

How to Carve Turkey

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