Can You Cook a Whole Turkey in a Microwave?

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It’s Thanksgiving season, and many of us are gearing up to cook a delicious turkey for our loved ones. While roasting is the traditional method, you might be wondering if you can cook a whole turkey in a microwave. The answer is yes you can, but there are some important things to keep in mind.

Here’s what you need to know about microwaving a whole turkey:

  • Size matters: A standard-size microwave can only accommodate a 12- to 14-pound turkey. If your turkey is larger, you’ll need to roast it in the oven.
  • Cooking time: According to the USDA, you should cook a 12-pound turkey for nine to 10 minutes per pound on medium (50% power). That means a 12-pound turkey would take about two hours to cook.
  • Even cooking: To ensure even cooking, leave three inches of clearance around the turkey and rotate it periodically during cooking. You can also place it in an oven cooking bag to help distribute heat evenly.
  • Don’t stuff it: Just like with roasting, don’t stuff the turkey when microwaving it. The stuffing might not reach a safe internal temperature before the bird is done.
  • Checking for doneness: Use a thermometer to check the turkey’s internal temperature. The meat should be at least 165°F in the breast, outer thigh, and inside thigh.
  • Thawing: You can use the defrost setting on your microwave to thaw your turkey before cooking it, but don’t microwave a frozen turkey.

Should you microwave a whole turkey?

While it’s technically possible to cook a whole turkey in a microwave, it’s not the ideal method. The skin won’t crisp up, the drippings will cause a mess, and there’s a higher risk of uneven cooking.

If you’re looking for a faster option than roasting, consider roasting your turkey straight from frozen. This method is still faster than microwaving and will result in a more evenly cooked and flavorful turkey.

Here are some resources to help you roast a turkey:

Happy Thanksgiving!

VERIFY: Yes, you can cook a turkey in the microwave

FAQ

How long does it take to cook turkey meat in the microwave?

It typically takes around 5 minutes per pound of ground turkey to cook in the microwave. To tell when the meat is cooked through, look for evenly pale and cooked-through pieces of meat. You can also test it by piercing a small piece with a fork — it should be tender, hot, and without any pink juices.

Can you microwave a turkey dinner?

Our testing found that reheating turkey leftovers in the microwave for a later meal on Thursday night is perfectly fine. But the longer the turkey sits in the fridge, the more moisture it loses. So the further away you get from Thanksgiving, opt for the oven method to hold on to as much flavor as possible.

Can you cook a turkey in a microwave convection oven?

But even though mom typically knows best, mom may be wrong; you really can cook a turkey in a microwave! Our microwave expert Evelyn Carpenter says it is possible but your microwave must have a convection mode.

Are there microwaves in turkey?

Microwaves in Turkey Sales in microwaves continue on a declining volume trend, as such appliances are not seen as necessities and carry a negative image of being an unhealthy method of cooking. Overall, while the convenience microwaves offer is undeniable, most Turkish…

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