Knowing how long to cook a turkey in the oven is a must for Thanksgiving. You don't want all your guests gathered at the table, waiting for that glorious bird, only for it to emerge from the oven still raw. Not only is that embarrassing, it's potentially life threatening! That's why the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen experts assembled a handy chart that gives timings for how long to roast your turkey, for all different weights.
For a ballpark estimate on timing, figure about 13 minutes per pound of turkey when cooking an unstuffed bird. A stuffed turkey takes longer to cook; figure about 15 minutes per pound for a stuffed turkey. Although, we definitely recommend roasting the turkey unstuffed. Why? You'd have to overcook your bird to ensure the stuffing inside reaches a safe temperature. And no amount of Thanksgiving gravy can save turkey that dry. The better way? Bake your stuffing recipe in a separate pan. If you’re curious how long it will take when cooking your turkey upside down, you might want to reconsider that method altogether. According to our Test Kitchen pros, it doesn’t lead to a juicier bird and all that flipping can actually be dangerous!
There are a few other pre-roasting preparations to factor into your timing: thawing your bird if it's frozen and seasoning your turkey with a flavor-boosting dry brine. Before you put that main course in the oven, make sure your kitchen is equipped with the right tools. While a timer is helpful to keep track of the hours, the real hero for roasting is a great meat thermometer, which will register the internal temperature for perfect results every time.
How long to cook a turkey per pound:
Here’s our handy guide for cooking times for an unstuffed turkey by weight:
- Turkey 8–10 lbs: 1 hr 45 mins–2 hrs 15 mins
- Turkey 10–12 lbs: 2 hrs 15 mins–2 hrs 30 mins
- Turkey 12–14 lbs: 2 hrs 30 mins–3 hrs
- Turkey 14–16 lbs: 3 hrs–3 hrs 30 mins
- Turkey 16–18 lbs: 3 hrs 30 mins–4 hrs
- Turkey 18–20 lbs: 4 hrs–4 hrs 15 mins
How long to cook a stuffed turkey?
Below are cooking times for a stuffed turkey by pre-stuffed weight:
- Turkey 6 to 8 pounds (breast only): 2 hrs 30 mins–3 hrs 30 mins
- Turkey 8 to 12 pounds: 3 hrs–3 hrs 30 mins
- Turkey 12 to 14 pounds: 3 hrs 30 mins–4 hrs
- Turkey 14 to 18 pounds: 4 hrs–4 hrs 15 mins
- Turkey 18 to 20 pounds: 4 hrs 15 mins–4 hrs 45 mins
- Turkey 20 to 24 pounds: 4 hrs 45 mins–5 hrs 15 mins
How to cook a frozen turkey
Bump up the time if your turkey is still a little bit frozen on Thanksgiving morning. It's actually completely safe to roast an icy turkey, but it’ll take about 50% longer to cook than a fully thawed bird. Dinner might have to wait a few hours — hey, more time for Thanksgiving appetizers — but you'll still be rewarded with a delicious turkey.
What size turkey is best for Thanksgiving?
Bigger isn’t better when it comes to turkey. Buy two smaller birds (or one whole turkey and one turkey breast) if you’re feeding a crowd. A pair of 10-pound birds will cook more evenly and stay juicier than a 20-pound beast (not to mention, they'll be easier to carve!).
Is it better to cook a turkey at 325 degrees or 350 degrees?
Our Test Kitchen actually found that 375℉ is the Goldilocks of temperatures for turkey roasting — it’s not too hot, not too cold, and cooks quickly enough to ensure that a bird is juuust right by dinnertime.
At what temperature is turkey done?
To check if the turkey is done, insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh. The internal temperature should register 165°F and its juices should be clear, not pink.
How long to rest the turkey after cooking?
Allow your turkey to rest for at least 25 minutes after cooking, then you can begin carving. Cover it loosely with foil to keep it hot.
