How Long To Cook a Turkey by Pound, So It's Juicy and Delicious
Get rid of the guesswork with this foolproof guide to turkey cooking times.
%20(2).jpeg.rend.hgtvcom.91.91.85.suffix/1699381350148.webp)
Tetra Images/Getty Images
Cooking turkey can be daunting, whether you've done it countless times, or it's your first year hosting Thanksgiving dinner. Fortunately, if you have a good game plan and good turkey recipe, you can make sure your bird comes out of the oven golden brown and perfectly juicy. We consulted the USDA — the authority on turkey talk — to create this handy guideline for turkey cooking success.
In This Article
Victoria Pearson/Getty
Quick Turkey Tips
There's a lot to remember on the big day. Here's a cheat sheet to everything from how much turkey per person to the internal temperature for cooked turkey.
How much turkey per person: Plan on 1 1/2 pounds of (uncooked) turkey per person.
How to thaw turkey that's frozen: Budget enough time for thawing your bird. Here's our thawing guide.
Cooking stuffing: Remember to remove the giblet packet and turkey neck (and make gravy!). It's safer to cook stuffing in a separate baking dish, but if in-the-bird is what you prefer, pack it in loosely — it should register at 165 degrees F with an instant-read thermometer before serving.
Turkey temperature: Use an instant read thermometer to check your turkey's internal temperature. Insert the probe in the deepest part of the thigh — it should register 165 F when it's done.
How long to rest turkey: Let turkey turkey rest 20 minutes before carving.
How Long to Cook a Turkey
All times below are based on cooking a turkey at 325 degrees F.
Unstuffed Turkey Cooking Times
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
Stuffed Turkey Cooking Times
6 to 8 pounds (breast only): 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 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
18 to 20 pounds: 4 1/4 to 4 3/4 hours
20 to 24 pounds: 4 3/4 to 5 1/4 hours
How to Cook a Frozen Turkey
It's safe to cook a completely frozen turkey but it will take at least 50 percent longer than a thawed bird. If cooking from frozen, remove the giblet packet with tongs about halfway through. Cook until the deepest part of the thigh registers 165 degrees F with an instant-read thermometer. Check out our guide to different types of turkeys you can buy for alternatives to frozen birds.
Related Links:
The Food Network Kitchen team develops recipes, tests products, preps for Food Network shows, produces videos and social content, hosts events and much more. "Food Network Kitchen" is the marker of this team's inspiring, helpful and trustworthy content on FoodNetwork.com.
