How Long Should You Roast a Turkey?
The cooking time for your turkey depends on factors like oven temperature and whether you're roasting a stuffed or unstuffed bird. For an unstuffed turkey, we recommend roasting at 350°F (175°C) for 13 minutes per pound. To make it even easier, we've provided a turkey cook time chart below, which includes estimated cooking times and servings (including leftovers!).
How to Roast a Turkey
Refer to this chart for turkey cooking times based on the size of your bird. All times assume you're roasting a whole unstuffed turkey on a rack in a roasting pan in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven.
| Turkey Weight | Servings | Cooking Time |
|---|---|---|
| 10 to 12 lb | 6 to 8 | 2 1/4 to 2 3/4 hours |
| 12 to 14 lb | 8 to 10 | 2 3/4 to 3 hours |
| 15 to 18 lb | 10 to 12 | 3 1/4 to 4 hours |
| 18 to 20 lb | 12 to 14 | 4 to 4 1/4 hours |
| 20 to 22 lb | 14 to 16 | 4 1/4 to 4 3/4 hours |
| 23 to 24 lb | 16 to 20 | 5 to 5 1/4 hours |
Important Information:
- Turkey is done at an internal temperature of 165 degrees F (75 degrees C).
- Allow the turkey to rest for at least 30 minutes before carving and serving.
- Using an oven thermometer and a meat thermometer to get accurate temperature readings is recommended.
How Much Turkey to Purchase
A good rule of thumb is 1 to 1 1/2 pounds of turkey per person, depending on how much you enjoy leftovers! If you're not planning on making turkey soup or sandwiches, 1 pound per person should suffice. But if you love leftovers as much as the main meal, opt for 1 1/2 pounds per person. For more tips, check out our Turkey Buying Guide.
How to Safely Thaw Your Turkey
Remember that a whole turkey can take several days to thaw, and the cooking times above are based on a fully defrosted bird. Generally, after placing your turkey in the fridge, you'll need 24 hours of thawing time for every 5 pounds of turkey. But if it's Thanksgiving morning and your turkey is still frozen, don't panic! You still have options. Our Turkey Thawing Guide covers three safe methods for thawing your turkey quickly.
How Long to Roast a Stuffed Turkey
Stuffed turkeys require more time to cook than unstuffed ones. Roast a stuffed turkey for 15 minutes per pound at 350°F (175°C). Be sure to check the stuffing's temperature; it should reach 165°F (75°C) when you insert the thermometer into the center of the stuffing. Failing to check the stuffing’s temperature could result in foodborne illness.
How to Roast a Turkey in 5 Simple Steps
- Prepare
Remove the giblet packet from the turkey’s cavity and set it aside for gravy or stuffing. Then, use paper towels to pat the bird dry inside and out. - Truss & Brush
Tie the drumsticks together with kitchen string and brush the skin with melted butter or oil. For a guide on how to truss a turkey, check out our tutorial. - Roast
Place the turkey on a rack in a roasting pan and put it into a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven. Follow the cooking times based on the turkey’s weight. - Tent & Baste
Roast until the skin turns a light golden brown, then cover the breast loosely with foil to prevent over-browning. In the final 45 minutes of cooking, remove the foil to allow the skin to brown. Basting isn’t necessary but can help with even browning. - Rest & Carve
Once the turkey is done, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 30 minutes before carving. This step helps redistribute the juices and makes carving easier.
For more tips and expert advice, check out our How to Roast a Turkey guide.
How to Determine When Your Turkey is Fully Cooked
The only reliable indicator of doneness is the internal temperature of the meat, not the skin color. Turkey is fully cooked when the thigh reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). For an accurate reading, make sure your thermometer isn’t touching the bone. For a step-by-step guide, check out our article on how to properly check a turkey's temperature.
To prevent your turkey from drying out, account for carry-over cooking while the turkey rests. The internal temperature will continue to rise by 5 to 10 degrees after removing it from the oven. You can pull the turkey from the oven when the thigh meat reads 155°F (68°C) and let carry-over cooking finish the job. Check the temperature again after 10 minutes of resting to confirm it has reached 165°F (75°C).
Make Gravy While Your Turkey Rests
Take advantage of the 20 to 30 minutes your turkey is resting by making a rich gravy. Check out our detailed guide to learn how to make turkey gravy from drippings.
How to Carve a Turkey
Carving a turkey can feel daunting for some, but if you’ve given your turkey time to rest, you’re already on the right track! Resting the turkey allows the juices to settle, making it easier to carve and ensuring the meat stays moist, without the messy drippings that can make carving trickier.
Check out our step-by-step video and guide on how to carve a turkey for everything you need to know to serve it up perfectly!
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