Thanksgiving is a time to unwind with family and friends as well as worry about the meal, which could burn in the oven or give loved ones salmonella. Knowing how long to roast a turkey for may seem like a difficult and mysterious task, but it’s really quite simple.
Similar to other pieces of poultry and meat, the size has an impact on how long it takes to cook. The longer the chef must set aside oven space, the larger the bird. But there are other factors besides size that affect how long the main course of the Thanksgiving meal needs to cook. The kind of oven being used can also affect how long something takes to cook.
It’s best to choose the cooking method in advance because using a regular oven will take a little bit longer than using a convection oven. Butterball advised baking the bird in a standard oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
But the amount of time needed to cook a bird depends on more than just its size or the type of oven being used. Additionally, it depends on whether the chef decided to stuff the bird before cooking it. For an unstuffed bird, Butterball recommended the following cooking times:
It is preferable to set the oven to “convection” if at all possible when cooking multiple dishes and needing to free up oven space or when the chef is in a hurry. According to Butterball, it should still be set to 325 degrees Fahrenheit, but the amount of time that must be spent cooking is reduced. For an unstuffed turkey, Butterball recommended:
Cooking times change to: if the turkey is stuffed and a convection oven is being used.
The best way to determine when a turkey is finished roasting in the oven and prepared to be served is to check its internal temperature, even though these are only recommended cooking times. The thigh of a turkey should read 180 degrees Fahrenheit on a meat thermometer, while the breast or stuffing should read 170 degrees.
Some people worry that turkey meat that appears pink indicates that the bird isn’t fully cooked. But according to the United States Department of Agriculture, meat is safe to eat as long as it has reached the proper temperature.
How Large Should My Turkey Be if I Have a Large Group to Feed?
Most experts will typically advise you to buy 1 pound of turkey per person. I’d reduce that to 3/4 pounds per person if there are numerous side dishes being served with the roasted turkey. It’s always better to have too much than too little. Plus leftovers are the bomb.
Getting the Turkey Ready for the Oven
Your turkey is ready to prepare and roast once it has completely defrosted. The term “prep the turkey” simply refers to performing a few easy steps to guarantee a crispy, golden-roasted turkey. Here’s what to do:
How to Defrost a Frozen Turkey
Ok, friends. Here’s the deal. In order to give your frozen turkey enough time to defrost before Thanksgiving, you must move it from the freezer to the refrigerator as soon as possible. You can’t roast a frozen bird, ya’ll. Every 4 pounds of turkey will require 24 hours to thaw in the refrigerator. The turkey can be refrigerated for an additional four days after it has been defrosted. Therefore, it is preferable to transfer it as soon as possible so that it will be ready and waiting for you.
Use the cold water method to defrost your turkey if you forget to do so. Simply place your frozen turkey in the sink while it is still in its packaging, breast side down, and cover with cold water. This thawing method will take 30 minutes per pound. Once it’s completely thawed, roast it immediately.