Every holiday, whether you're cooking your first turkey or you lot've cooked 70 of them, making the perfect turkey recipe tin can exist a beast to tackle. There are a lot of sides recipes to juggle, oven times to consider, calculations to make for how much turkey to buy per person ― and oh, y'all might want to accept a shower and eat dejeuner at some point?

In one case you have a meat thermometer, your secret weapon is learning the weight of your turkey. One you know that, y'all tin can calculate roughly how long to cook information technology ― whether you lot're roasting, grilling or deep-frying. Nosotros've taken stuffing into account (if yous choose to stuff your bird), and fifty-fifty given some consideration to those who forgot it was Thanksgiving and need to cook a frozen turkey (nosotros know you're out in that location.)

And if you're cooking a heritage or pasture-raised turkey, continue in mind that it'll take a little longer because of the different body composition of the bird!

Turkey Temperature

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The best way to know when your turkey is done is past its temperature. The USDA says a turkey is condom when "cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165°F as measured with a food thermometer. Check the internal temperature in the innermost role of the thigh and wing and the thickest role of the breast."

Don't Trust The Pop-Upward Timer

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If your turkey has a "pop-up" temperature indicator, information technology is recommended that you also cheque the internal temperature of the turkey in the innermost part of the thigh and wing and the thickest function of the breast with a nutrient thermometer. The minimum internal temperature should accomplish 165°F for safe.

How Long To Cook A Turkey -- Bones Roasting

USDA

This table from the USDA is based on a 325°F oven, and a fully defrosted or fresh bird. (For an unstuffed bird, we're talking roughly 15 minutes per pound.)

If y'all want to melt a frozen turkey, it will have at least 50 percent longer than the recommended times.

How Long To Cook A Turkey -- Convection Oven

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Your turkey will melt faster in a 325°F convection oven.

8lbs: 1.25 hours
12 lbs: 1.75 hours
14 lbs: two hours
18 lbs: 3 hours
20 lbs: four hours
24 lbs: 4.25 hours

How Long To Melt A Turkey -- On The Grill

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Timing on a grilled turkey is tricky since every grill is vastly different, but hither'south a rough guide based on weight.
8 lbs: 90 mins
12 lbs: 135 mins
14 lbs: 180 mins
eighteen lbs: 210 mins
20 lbs: 225 mins

How Long To Cook A Turkey: Deep Frying

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According to theperfectturkey.com: "A deep fried turkey takes nearly 3 to 5 minutes per pound when cooked in 350 caste F oil."

Let Your Turkey Rest!

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Meet how the turkey is shoved off to the side, getting ignored? Practise this. For at least 30 minutes. The juices need fourth dimension to re-absorb into the meat -- which will make it taste style better and also make etching the bird much easier.

Seriously, you tin reheat it later or pour hot gravy over it. Let. It. Rest.

Dependable glass containers that you can cook in

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