

The breast should register 165✯ and the thigh, 175✯. Turkey breast and thighs must reach different internal temperatures for ideal doneness. Using the chart above, add about 30 minutes to the total cooking time for stuffed birds weighing 16 pounds or less, and about 1 hour for birds weighing more than 16 pounds. To ensure that a stuffed turkey cooks evenly, roast the bird slowly, breast side up, at 325✯, covering the breast loosely with foil for the first two-thirds of the roasting time. Since cooking times depend on the size of the turkey, use these guidelines.

Here’s the trick: start roasting the bird breast side down for the first 45 minutes, then flip it breast side up and reduce the temperature to 325✯ to finish cooking. If you’re concerned about over-cooking, start roasting the bird with the foil for the first hour, then remove it for the remainder of the cooking time.įor an unstuffed turkey, start with an oven preheated to 400✯. Figure out Your Bird’s Time & TemperatureĬreating a loose tent of aluminum foil over your turkey can keep the bird moist and avoid over-browning the skin. If you plan to stuff your turkey, wait until you’re ready to put it in the oven before putting the stuffing in the turkey. Your turkey will cook more evenly and faster if you start it out at room temperature so remove the turkey from the refrigerator 1 hour before roasting. Your Turkey First, Bring Your Bird to Room Temp Keep these rules in mind when picking a pan to fit the size of your turkey. Should you decide to use a foil roasting pan, double it for extra strength and take special care when transferring it into and out of the oven. Because of the turkey’s weight, a sturdy pan with good handles is recommended. If you’re using a specific recipe, you can follow the instructions outlined in the directions-but if you’re keeping it simple, here are some all-purpose guidelines to successful turkey roasting every time.įor best results, roast your turkey on a wire rack in an open roasting pan. Once you’ve chosen your Thanksgiving turkey recipe and selected your bird, it’s time to think about cooking.
