This Handy Chart Tells You Exactly How Long You Need To Cook Your Turkey
Though there are plenty of things to consider when it comes to how you're going to cook your Thanksgiving turkey. You have to decide whether or not to add stuffing, whether you're going to season it with a rub or brine it, and if you brine it, you have to pick between a dry or wet method.
But the most important factor that can make or break your bird is definitely how much time it spends in the oven. While you may have crunched the numbers on how many pounds you need to feed your guests, or how many days it takes to thaw, calculating just how long you should keep it in the oven is no simple task. But don't worry, we're here to help.
The duration of the roast depends on a number of things, including whether or not the bird is stuffed, how big it is, and if it has been thawed. A stuffed turkey will take longer to cook through than a non-stuffed turkey, but not by much. According to the USDA, a frozen turkey requires about 50 perfect more time in the oven than a fully thawed turkey.
With all of that in mind, consult our handy chart below for the proper cook time:
Got your time? Great. You might want to grab a food thermometer, too—your turkey needs to reach a minimal internal temp of 165° before it's safe to eat. To make sure you get there, your oven should be heated to 325° F or higher. Ready, timers set, go!
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