turkey weight cooking time browning temperature 4-6 lb. breast 1 hr 30 min-2 hr 15 min 165°F6-8 lb. breast 2 hr 15 min-3 hr 15 min 165°F8-12 lbs. 2 hr 45 min-3 hr 170-175°F12-14 lbs.3 hr-3 hr 45 min 170-175°F 3-9.11.2020
Is it better to cook a turkey at 325 or 350?
Do you cook your turkey at 325°F or 350°F? There are no strict rules, although “slow and easy” is a good rule for cooking a bird all the way through without burning it. All of our temperature guides assume that you are cooking at 325, but you can also cook slightly warmer in about the same or slightly less time.
How long does a 20 pound turkey take to cook?
Cooking times will vary. For example, a 20 lb. turkey will take 4 1/2 to 5 hours to cook; check the temperature with a thermometer after 4 1/2 hours.
How long does a 14 lb turkey take to cook at 325?
If the turkey weighs 12 to 14 pounds, roast at 350°F for 2 3/4 to 3 hours. Roast at 325°F for 3 to 3 1/2 hours.
How long do you cook a 17 lb turkey?
Time to roast turkey:.
- 4 to 8 lbs (breast only): 1 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours.
- 8 to 12 lbs: 2 3/4 to 3 hours.
- 12 to 14 lbs.: 3 to 3 3/4 hours.
- 14 to 18 lbs: 3 3/4 to 4 1/4 hrs.
- 18 to 20 pounds: 4 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours.
- 20 to 24 lbs.: 4 1/2 to 5 hours.
How do I keep my turkey moist?
Classic Bread Stuffing Recipe
- Choose a fresh turkey, not a frozen one.
- Roast two small turkeys instead of one large turkey.
- Marinate the turkey in brine.
- Rub soft butter under the skin.
- Truss loosely or not at all.
- Roast the turkey upside down first.
- Do not overcook.
- Allow the turkey to rest before carving.
Should I cover my turkey with aluminum foil?
We have found that covering the turkey with foil produces much more moist results than roasting without foil. To even out the cooking time, it is recommended to simply cover the breasts.
What temperature should a turkey be cooked at?
The USDA directs that turkeys be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165°F. (When stuffing a turkey, the stuffing as well as the meat should be 165 degrees Fahrenheit.)
How long do I cook a 25 lb Butterball turkey?
For unstuffed birds, Butterball recommends the following cooking times
- 6 to 7 pounds: 2 to 2 1/2 hours.
- 7 to 10 pounds: 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
- 10-18 lbs: 3 to 3 1/2 hours.
- 18 to 22 lbs: 3 ½ to 4 hours.
- 22 to 24 lbs: 4 to 4 ½ hours. 24 to 30 lbs: 4 to 4 ½ hours.
- 24 to 30 lbs: 4 1/2 to 5 hours.
What temperature do you bake a turkey?
Place turkey in 400°F oven. For a 15 lb. turkey, start cooking at 400°F for the first 20 minutes to brown. Then lower the temperature to 325°F for the next hour or two until the internal temperature of the breast reaches approximately 140°F to 145°F.
Do you put water in the bottom of the roasting pan for turkey?
Place in bottom of roasting pan. Place turkey breast side up on top of vegetables. Add about 0.5 inch of liquid (water or stock) to the roasting pan. This will keep the oven moist and the turkey juicy.
What is the lowest safe temperature to cook a turkey?
Be Safe – The U.S. Department of Agriculture ( USDA ) recommends a temperature of 325 degrees Fahrenheit or higher when cooking meat and poultry. Cook the turkey to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
How long do you cook a Butterball turkey?
Place the bread in the oven. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F. Roast for 3 to 3 1/2 hours, or until meat thermometer reaches 180°F, inserting into deepest part of thigh not touching bone. If necessary, loosely cover the breast and top of the bee with foil until about two-thirds of the way through the roast to prevent burning.
What do you baste turkey with?
Roast the turkey in melted butter or other fat, stock, or drippings from a roasting pan.
Is turkey done at 165 or 180?
Some recipes state that the turkey should be cooked to 180 degrees Fahrenheit, but the meat can be safely consumed once it reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooking breast meat above 165 degrees will result in dry meat, while dark meat can be cooked up to 180 degrees.
How long do you cook a turkey calculator?
Third, temperatures vary slightly from oven to oven.
| Turkey Size | Cooking time (without stuffing) | Cooking Time (stuffing) |
|---|---|---|
| 12 – 14 lbs. | 3 – 3 3/4 hrs. | 3 – 3 1/2 to 4 hours |
| 14 – 18 lbs. | 3 3/4 – 4 ¼ hrs. | 4 – 4 ¼ hours |
| 18 – 20 lbs. | 4 ½ – 4 ½ hours | 4 ¼ – 4 ¾ hours |
| 20 – 24 lbs. | 4 ½ – 5 hours | 4 ¾ – 5 ¼ hrs. |
Should I put butter or oil on my turkey?
Do not butter the bird Butter under the skin will not make the meat juicier, but may help the skin brown faster. However, about 17% of the butter is moisture, which will cause the bird to speckle, says Lopez Alt. Instead, rub the skin with vegetable oil before roasting.
How do you cook a turkey so it’s not dry?
When roasting a whole bird,” Tommy says, “the key is to cook the legs longer than the breast. The breast dries out.”
Is it better to cook a turkey breast up or down?
The USDA recommends cooking the whole turkey breast up throughout the entire cooking time. Turning a large, hot bird over is dangerous and can easily tear the skin, making the finished product less appealing.
How long should you take a turkey out of the fridge before cooking?
Remove the turkey from the refrigerator before cooking (1 hour for whole turkey, 30 minutes for fillets), as it must be brought to room temperature before placing in the oven. Cover and store in a cool place.
Do Butterball turkeys have butter in them?
In fact, there is no actual butter in or on the butterball turkey. The fresh turkey is infused with a brine and a brining solution made with “common household spices,” a brand representative told me. Butterball does not share the ingredients of the secret discipline formula.
How do you prepare a turkey the night before?
Place the turkey in a good-sized shallow dish and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 1-2 days. The day before you plan to roast the turkey, remove the plastic wrap and place the turkey in the refrigerator. The skin will dry out and become slightly translucent.
How do you know when turkey is done without thermometer?
To find out if your turkey is done without a thermometer, stick a fork into the mid-thigh muscle, explains Nicole Johnson, co-director of Butterball Turkey Talk-Line. When the juices turn clear and there is no longer any redness or pinkness, the turkey is done.”
How long should a turkey rest before you carve it?
Before cutting anything, let the turkey rest for at least 30 minutes so its juices don’t remain on the cutting board.
How do you know when the turkey is ready?
To cook a turkey at the proper temperature, you will need a meat thermometer. Insert it near the thigh bone, but do not touch it. If it reads 180 degrees Fahrenheit for the thigh and 170 degrees Fahrenheit for the breast, it is ready.
What does the name Butterball mean?
Butterball definition 1 : a baffled head. 2 : A chubby person.
How many does a 25 lb turkey feed?
12 – 16 people = 16 – 22 lbs. Turkey. 18 – 20 persons = 27 – 30 lbs. Turkey.
What temperature do you cook a Butterball turkey at?
Follow these simple steps for a fresh or thawed turkey
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Drain juices and pat dry with a clean paper towel.
- Place the turkey breast on a flat rack in a shallow roasting pan 2 to 2 1/2 inches deep.
Should I start my turkey at a higher temperature?
Remove the turkey from the refrigerator 1 hour before roasting, as the turkey will cook more evenly and faster if started at room temperature. If stuffing the turkey, wait until ready to put it in the oven before adding stuffing to the turkey.
How do you flip a turkey in the oven?
Move a spatula or table knife between the two racks to prevent the turkey from sticking to the roasting racks. Protecting your hands, grasp the neck and tail end of the turkey and quickly and carefully turn it over. Try to keep the turkey horizontal to avoid spilling any juices or ingredients in the cavity.
Should you cook a turkey upside down?
There are two advantages to roasting turkey breast side down. Being closer to the heat source allows the dark meat to cook faster and the juices to drip down into the moist breast. Talk about a turn for the better!
Should I put butter under the skin of my turkey?
Adding a layer of butter under the skin before roasting gives the Thanksgiving turkey a rich flavor and adds moisture .
What do you put in the turkey cavity when not using stuffing?
Herbs. The secret to adding flavor to your Thanksgiving turkey is to season it generously. To ensure that your favorite herbs permeate every inch of the bird, stuff a small bunch into the cavity of the turkey. Thyme, sage, parsley, and a small amount of rosemary are a wonderful combination, but feel free to customize to your taste.
What do you put in the bottom of a turkey pan?
Place the chopped onion, celery, and carrots in the bottom of the roasting pan. Pick a few herbs off the stems and add them to the vegetables.
Can you cook a turkey overnight at 200 degrees?
Depending on the size of the turkey, a typical roasting temperature is about 325 degrees Fahrenheit for up to 8 hours. Slow roasting the turkey overnight at 200 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 hours allows the low temperature and moisture to condition the turkey while it sleeps. It is not necessary to train the turkey.
How do you keep a turkey warm for 4 hours?
A kitchen towel placed over the foil will keep the meat warm and moist until you are ready to carve and serve it. Another option is to cover the bird with foil and return it to a cold 200F oven. Place a pan of water under the turkey to generate steam and contribute to the moisture.
What if my turkey is done early?
Things may get a little complicated if your turkey is done too early, but it’s not the end of the world. If done about an hour early, let it rest uncovered for about 20 to 30 minutes. Next, cover the turkey with foil and a heavy towel or blanket to keep it warm.
What is special about a Butterball turkey?
Because more than half of vacation cooks stuff their turkeys, Butterball turkeys have a natural leg tuck that uses the skin to hold the legs in place and make stuffing easier. Butterball turkeys have no plastic or metal locks, so you don’t have to worry about metal clips getting hot when removing the stuffing.
Do you have to wash a Butterball turkey?
Should I wash my turkey? No, you really shouldn’t. The great thing about Butterball turkeys is that they are all cleaned out. If you wash the turkey, the raw juices will splatter all over your kitchen.
What should I put in the turkey cavity?
Season the inside of the turkey cavity thoroughly with salt and pepper. Stuff cavity with thyme, lemon halves, quartered onions, and garlic. Brush the outside of the turkey with butter and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
How often should I butter the turkey?
How often to brine the turkey. Most recipes call for basting the turkey every 30 minutes. However, our rule of thumb is actually every 40 minutes. The reasons for this are as follows. It takes longer to cook a whole bird if you don’t want to open the oven too many times, which is very inconvenient .
Should I baste my turkey with butter?
This turkey basting recipe, which can be easily made with butter, lemon juice, and a few herbs, is easy to make and adds a delicious flavor to the turkey. It is best to refrain from the usual method of basting the turkey with drippings in a pan that is mostly turkey juice and fat. Ingredients.
| Nutrition Facts Label (per serving) | |
|---|---|
| 0g | Protein. |
Do you add broth when cooking a turkey?
I also like to add 1 cup chicken broth/stock to the bottom of the turkey pan before starting to cook. This creates a steam room type environment in the oven and helps keep the breasts moist but does not prevent skin browning.
Is it better to cook a turkey at 325 or 350?
Do you cook your turkey at 325°F or 350°F? There are no strict rules, although “slow and easy” is a good rule for cooking a bird all the way through without burning it. All of our temperature guides assume that you are cooking at 325, but you can also cook slightly warmer in about the same or slightly less time.
Where is the best place to insert a thermometer in a turkey?
Some tips to keep in mind are as follows When cooking a whole turkey, insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the turkey breast, the innermost part of the thigh, and the innermost part of the wing. Do not allow the thermometer to touch the bone, the gristle, or the pan.
Should I tent my turkey?
Butterball suggests covering the breast with a small tent made of aluminum foil after the turkey has been cooked for the required 2/3 of the time (depending on the size of the bird). This will slow down the cooking process of the turkey breast.
How long do you cook a 20 lb Butterball turkey?
For unstuffed birds, Butterball recommends the following cooking times
- 6 to 7 pounds: 2 to 2 1/2 hours.
- 7 to 10 pounds: 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
- 10-18 lbs: 3 to 3 1/2 hours.
- 18 to 22 lbs: 3 ½ to 4 hours.
- 22 to 24 lbs: 4 to 4 ½ hours. 24 to 30 lbs: 4 to 4 ½ hours.
- 24 to 30 lbs: 4 1/2 to 5 hours.
How big of a turkey do you need for 12 adults?
Turkey Weights – First, complete the guest list. Once you know the exact number of attendees, use the following formula: number of guests x 1.25. You should plan on approximately 1.25 pounds of turkey per attendee. This means that if you are expecting 12 guests, plan for a 15 lb. bird.
How long do you cook a 17 pound Butterball turkey?
16-18 lbs. – 2 1/2-2 1/2 hrs. / 3 1/4-4 hours / 2-2 1/2 hours. Turkey breast is tender and deliciously cooked and can be easily roasted by following these steps Preheat oven to 325°F.
Should I cover my turkey with aluminum foil while cooking?
We have found that covering the turkey with foil produces much more moist results than roasting without foil. To even out the cooking time, it is recommended to simply cover the breasts.
Do you put water in the bottom of the roasting pan for turkey?
Place in bottom of roasting pan. Place turkey breast side up on top of vegetables. Add about 0.5 inch of liquid (water or stock) to the roasting pan. This will keep the oven moist and the turkey juicy.
How do I keep my turkey moist?
Classic Bread Stuffing Recipe
- Choose a fresh turkey, not a frozen one.
- Roast two small turkeys instead of one large turkey.
- Marinate the turkey in brine.
- Rub soft butter under the skin.
- Truss loosely or not at all.
- Roast the turkey upside down first.
- Do not overcook.
- Allow the turkey to rest before carving.
What is the best temperature to cook a turkey?
Stick to a temperature of 325°F so that the turkey is fully cooked without overdoing it.
Why is my turkey always dry?
Because dark meat has more connective tissue and takes longer to break down, cooking a whole turkey causes the breast to overcook and dry out before the legs and thighs are done. Solution: carve the turkey before cooking.
What side of the turkey goes up in the pan?
Place the slices lengthwise, buttered side up, on a V-shaped wire rack set into the roasting pan. Place the turkey breast side down on the pan (do not place directly on the rack).
What if I left my turkey out overnight to thaw?
Thawing raw meat at room temperature for more than 2 hours allows bacteria to grow rapidly. Is it a good idea to thaw a turkey at room temperature? No. It is not a good idea to thaw a turkey at room temperature. If you make it through it, you are lucky.
Is it OK to leave a turkey out overnight?
Cooked turkeys that have been left out for more than two hours (or one hour at 90°F or higher) should be discarded. The reason is that bacteria multiply rapidly when cooked turkeys are kept at temperatures between 40°F and 140°F.
What’s the difference between a Butterball turkey and a regular turkey?
Butterballs are known as pre-cooked turkeys. Frozen Butterball turkeys contain an 8% solution of water, salt, spices, and “natural flavoring,” while turkeys sold fresh (by law, meaning they have never been chilled below 26 degrees Fahrenheit) contain only 4%. The solution.
What brand of turkey is best?
We roasted turkeys from five different grocery stores. This is the best
- Here’s how we did it.
- Butterballs.
- Shady Brooke Farms.
- Harris Teeterbrand.
- Nature’s Launcher.
- Organic Prairie.
What can I put in my turkey for flavor?
Basics like onion, garlic, thyme, rosemary, and sage help add traditional Thanksgiving flavor. Add halved lemons or oranges to take the flavor up a notch. Citrus fruits add a nice brightness and tartness to the turkey.
Should I butter my turkey the night before?
Absolutely! In fact, many believe that buttering the turkey the night before not only saves roasting time, but that leaving the butter on or under the skin overnight adds even more flavor to the turkey.