Table of Contents
How do you know when turkey thighs are done?
You’ll need a meat thermometer to make sure you cook your turkey to the right temperature. Insert it close to, but not touching, the thigh bone. If it reads 180 degrees F in the thigh and 170 degrees F in the breast, it’s done and ready to serve.
What temperature is a turkey thigh cooked at?
We recommend that you remove the bird from the oven when the breast temperature reaches 165 degrees and the thickest part of the thighs reaches between 170 and 175 degrees.
Which takes longer to cook turkey breast or thighs?
A: Unfortunately, it’s hard to avoid one or the other of these scenarios, because turkey breasts cook faster than the legs and thighs. (For food-safety reasons, it’s important to cook the bird until the breast registers 160° to 165°F and the thighs register 170° to 175°F on an instant-read thermometer.).
Do you cook a turkey at 325 or 350?
Roast in a 325° or 350° (depending on size of bird; see below) oven until thermometer registers 160°. If turkey is unstuffed, tip slightly to drain juices from body cavity into pan. Transfer turkey to a platter. Let stand in a warm place, uncovered, for 15 to 30 minutes, then carve.
How do I know how long to cook my turkey in the oven?
How Long to Roast a Turkey: 4 to 8 pounds (breast only): 1 1/2 to 3 1/4 hours. 8 to 12 pounds: 2 3/4 to 3 hours. 12 to 14 pounds: 3 to 3 3/4 hours. 14 to 18 pounds: 3 3/4 to 4 1/4 hours. 18 to 20 pounds: 4 1/4 to 4 1/2 hours. 20 to 24 pounds: 4 1/2 to 5 hours.
Are turkey thighs good eating?
The thighs, part of the bird’s meaty legs are ideal for a small holiday dinner for which a whole turkey can be too much. Bone-in turkey thighs are also a great alternative to chicken thighs. The meat is tender, moist, and flavorful; it’s not prone to drying out as easily as white meat does.
Are turkey thighs tough?
It’s a protein-packed meat on a stick, best enjoyed outdoors in clothes that aren’t white. The problem is turkey legs can be really tough. There are lots of tendons and bones in that leg for meat to cling to, and most vendors don’t cook them long enough.
How long do you cook turkey for?
Basic recipe Put in a roasting tin, breast-side up, and roast for 40 mins per 1kg for the first 4kg, then 45 mins for every 1kg over that weight, or until the internal temperature reaches 65-70C. For a turkey of this weight, the cooking time should be 3½-4 hrs.
Do you rest a turkey covered or uncovered?
Cover the turkey loosely with foil, but remove it just under an hour before the timing is up to get the turkey nicely browned. Once cooked, carefully lift the turkey out of the tray and rest on a board. Cover loosely with foil for at least an hour while you get on cooking your roast potatoes.
Should I cover my turkey with foil while cooking?
Just make sure you uncover the lid about 30 minutes before the turkey’s done roasting so the skin has a chance to get crispy. Covering the bird with foil mimics what a roaster lid would do — it traps steam and moistness so the turkey doesn’t dry out — all the while allowing the skin to crisp up.
How many minutes per pound do you cook turkey?
Calculate turkey cooking time and temperature. The simplest way to figure out turkey roasting times is to calculate 13 minutes per pound at 350°F for an unstuffed turkey (that’s about 3 hours for a 12- to 14-lb. turkey), or 15 minutes per pound for a stuffed turkey.
Is it better to cook turkey at high or low temp?
Turkey research, such as the Georgia study, has generally been conducted by roasting the birds at a low temperature, 325 or 350 degrees, which is what most turkey experts recommend. But many chefs and home cooks prefer to cook at high heat (say, 425 to 500 degrees).
How long does it take a turkey to go from 140 to 165?
165 is a lie! Here Are the Real Temps and Times to Cook Your Turkey Safely (from the USDA) Temperature (°F) Time for Chicken Time for Turkey 139 43min 40.4min 140 35min 33.7min 141 28.7min 28.2 min 142 23.5min 23.7 min.
Is turkey done at 165 or 180?
While some recipes state that turkey should be cooked to 180 degrees Fahrenheit, the meat is safe to consume once it reaches the 165-degree mark. Cooking the breasts past 165 can result in dry meat, but the dark meat can be cooked to 180.
What temperature should dark meat turkey be?
The dark meat will will taste better at temperatures above 175°F (79°C) but is perfectly safe to eat above 165°F (74°C). (Read more about how to achieve higher temps in the dark meat while keep the breast meat tender.).
How do you not overcook a turkey?
Most people overcook turkey because they overestimate its cooking time. To avoid this deadly Thanksgiving sin, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh when the bird is nearly done (don’t hit the bone).
