Mastering the Art of Cooking a Jennie-O® Turkey: A Comprehensive Guide

The holidays are upon us, and the centerpiece of many festive feasts is undoubtedly the turkey But navigating the world of turkey preparation can be daunting, especially for those new to the culinary scene. Fear not, for Jennie-O® is here to guide you through the process of cooking a delectable turkey that will have your guests singing your praises

Roasting a Whole Jennie-O® Turkey:

Preheat your oven to 325°F. This is the optimal temperature for ensuring even cooking and juicy results.
Prepare your turkey: Remove the neck, giblet, and gravy packet (if applicable). These can be used to prepare gravy or stuffing, adding extra flavor to your Thanksgiving feast.
Leave the plastic leg clamp on. This helps the turkey maintain its shape during cooking.
Place the turkey on a rack in a shallow pan Position it breast side up and loosely cover with foil This helps the turkey cook evenly and prevents the skin from drying out,
Remove the foil after one hour of cooking. This allows the skin to crisp up and achieve that golden-brown perfection.
Cook until the timer pops up. Jennie-O® turkeys come equipped with a handy pop-up timer that indicates when the turkey is fully cooked.
Double-check with a meat thermometer. For extra peace of mind, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh. The temperature should read 180°F for a perfectly cooked turkey. The juices should run clear when pierced.
Let the turkey rest for 20 minutes before carving. Because of the redistribution of the juices throughout the meat, the bird becomes more flavorful and tender.

Approximate Oven Roasting Times for Jennie-O® Turkeys:

8-12 pounds: 3-1/2 to 4 hours
12-18 pounds: 4-1/4 to 4-3/4 hours
18-22 pounds: 4-1/2 to 5 hours
22-24 pounds: 4-3/4 to 5-1/4 hours

Cooking a Jennie-O® Turkey Breast:

Preheat your oven to 325°F.
Place the turkey breast on a rack in a shallow pan.
Roast skin side up at 325°F. Refer to the chart below for approximate cooking times.
Use a meat thermometer to ensure doneness. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the breast. The temperature should read 165°F. The juices should run clear when pierced.
Let the turkey breast rest for 15 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful breast.

Approximate Oven Roasting Times for Jennie-O® Turkey Breasts:

3-6 pounds: 2-1/4 to 2-3/4 hours
6-8 pounds: 3-1/4 to 3-3/4 hours

Additional Tips for Cooking a Jennie-O® Turkey:

Wash your hands and all surfaces that come into contact with raw turkey. This helps prevent the spread of bacteria.
Cook stuffing and turkey separately for optimal safety. If desired, add fully cooked stuffing to the cooked turkey just before serving.
Don’t have much time? Try Jennie-O®’s OVEN READY™ Turkey for a convenient and delicious option.

With these tips and instructions, you’re well on your way to cooking a delectable Jennie-O® turkey that will impress your guests and make your holiday feast a memorable one. Happy cooking!

Cooking a Turkey Breast

Preheat oven to 325°F.
Place turkey breast on a rack in shallow pan.
Roast the skin side up at 325°F for the duration shown in the chart below, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast registers 165°F.
Juices should run clear.
Let turkey breast rest for 15 minutes prior to carving.

Approximate oven roasting time at 325°F:

3-6 pounds, 2-1/4 to 2-3/4 hours
6-8 pounds, 3-1/4 to 3-3/4 hours

Previous How Tos

How to Cook a Whole Turkey

Heat oven to 325°F. Remove neck, giblet and gravy packet, if applicable. These may be used to prepare gravy or stuffing.
The plastic leg clamp should be left on during cooking.
Place the turkey on a rack in a shallow pan with its breast side facing up, and then loosely cover it with foil. Remove foil after 1 hour of cooking.
The turkey is cooked through when the timer goes off and a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 180°F. ALWAYS confirm doneness with a meat thermometer. Juices should run clear.
Let turkey stand 20 minutes before carving.
For optimal safety, cook stuffing and turkey separately. If preferred, stuff cooked turkey with fully cooked stuffing right before serving.

Approximate Oven Roasting Time at 325°F.

8-12 pounds, 3-1/2 hours to 4 hours.
12-18 pounds, 4-1/4 hours to 4-3/4 hours.
18-22 pounds, 4-1/2 hours to 5 hours.
22-24 pounds, 4-3/4 to 5-1/4 hours.

Wash hands and all items that come into contact with uncooked turkey.

JENNIE-O® Turkey – How to Cook a Turkey

FAQ

Do you cook a turkey covered or uncovered?

To achieve a perfectly golden, juicy turkey, let the bird spend time both covered and uncovered in the oven. We recommend covering your bird for most of the cooking time to prevent it from drying out; then, during the last 30 minutes or so of cooking, remove the cover so the skin crisps in the hot oven.

Does Jennie O make a good turkey?

JENNIE-O^® Tender & Juicy Young Turkey is exactly as it sounds – delicious. It’s also gluten free and packed with protein for an amazingly nutritious main course, any time of year, with days of leftovers!

Do you cook a 12 pound turkey at 325 or 350?

Roasting the bird slowly, at a lower temperature is the best way to achieve tender meat. You should still prep the bird with butter, salt, and pepper, as described above (or dry-brine it). To cook, set your oven to 325°F and roast for 3½ to 4 hours for a 12- to 14-pound bird.

How do you cook a Jennie-O ® whole turkey?

How do I cook a JENNIE-O ® whole turkey? Step 1: Heat oven to 325°F. Remove neck, giblet and gravy packet, if applicable. Step 2: The plastic leg clamp should be left on during cooking. Step 3: Place turkey on rack in a shallow pan, breast side up, and loosely cover with foil. Remove foil after 1 hour of cooking.

Are Jennie-O turkeys oven ready?

Jennie-O Oven Ready Whole Turkeys are distributed by Jennie-O Turkey Store Sales, LLC. This Jennie-O oven ready whole turkey was 12 pounds in size. Cooking this turkey for Thanksgiving was a simple and satisfying experience. This Jennie-O whole turkey is provided in a cooking bag, not to be removed during the cooking process.

Is Jennie O turkey breast ready to cook?

JENNIE-O Ready-to-Cook Boneless Skin-On Turkey Breast, 25% JENNIE-O Ready-to-Cook Boneless Skinless Turkey Breast, 34% JENNIE-O Grand Champion Raw Roast Cook In Film Skinless ARBY’S Golden Brown Turkey Breast Sliced

Does Jennie-O have boneless turkey breast?

The Jennie-O Frozen Oven-Ready Boneless Turkey Breast comes pre-seasoned and salted and includes a gravy packet for a creamy and tasty sauce. For best results, prepare it in a conventional oven. Jennie-O Frozen Oven-Ready Boneless Turkey Breast: