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Expect it to take 4.5 to 5 hours to cook a 21.5-pound turkey at 325 degrees Fahrenheit — if your turkey is unstuffed. If it’s full of your favorite stuffing, add at least 15 minutes to the total cooking time. Determine when the turkey is done by internal temperature only.
How long does it take to cook a 21 pound turkey?
If your turkey weighs 21 to 22 pounds, roast it at: 425°F for 4 to 4¼ hours. 400°F for 4¼ to 4½ hours. 350°F for 4½ to 4¾ hours.
Is it better to cook a turkey at 325 or 350?
Roast the turkey uncovered at a temperature ranging from 325°F to 350°F. Higher temperatures may cause the meat to dry out, but this is preferable to temperatures that are too low which may not allow the interior of the turkey to cook to a safe temperature.
How long does it take to cook a 20lb turkey at 325 in the oven?
If you’re baking it at 325°F (the lowest temperature the USDA recommends), you’ll need to bake a 20-lb turkey in the oven for 4 to 5 hours if it’s unstuffed, and 4 ¼ to 5 ¼ hours if it’s stuffed.
How many minutes per pound should I cook my turkey at 325 degrees?
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 you want to cook a frozen turkey, it will take at least 50 percent longer than the recommended times. Your turkey will cook faster in a 325°F convection oven.
Is it safe to cook a turkey on low overnight?
You can slow roast a turkey overnight without checking on it periodically. Roasting a turkey is so much easier when cooked overnight. Not just ok, your turkey will be moist and tender and ready for your finishing touches before you place it on the Thanksgiving turkey serving platter.
Do you cook a turkey covered or uncovered?
To achieve that balance, the ideal is to let the bird spend time both covered and uncovered: We recommend covering your bird for most of the cooking time to prevent it from drying out, then removing the cover for the last 30 minutes or so to allow the skin to crisp.
Is it better to cook a turkey in a convection oven or regular oven?
Convection ovens use a fan to move the hot air around, so food cooks about 30 percent faster than it does in a conventional bake oven, which does not have a fan. So, although a convection oven will cook faster, even a bake oven will work if the turkey is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165 degrees.
How long should a 20lb turkey cook?
Cooking time will vary. For example, a 20 pound turkey will take 4 1/4 to 5 hours to cook, check the temperature on the thermometer after 4 1/4 hours.
How often do you baste a turkey while cooking?
How often to baste a turkey. Most recipes will tell you to baste your turkey every thirty minutes. But our rule of thumb is actually every forty minutes, and here’s why. You don’t want to open the oven too many times, or else the whole bird will take much long to cook, and that’s a huge inconvenience.
How long should a 20-pound turkey cook at 350 degrees?
If your turkey weighs 18 to 20 pounds, roast it at: 425°F for 3½ to 3¾ hours. 400°F for 3¾ to 4 hours. 350°F for 4 to 4¼ hours.
How long will it take to cook a 25 lb turkey at 300 degrees?
While oven is heating, wash turkey in cold water, removing giblets, neck, tail and any pinfeathers. Rub oil over all sides of turkey. and place turkey in uncovered roasting pan in oven. Bake for 1 hours at 300 degrees to kill bacteria.
What internal temperature should a turkey be cooked to?
Turkey is cooked when the meat thermometer reads 170°F (77°C) for an unstuffed turkey, or 180°F (82°C) for a stuffed turkey and the juices run clear. Insert meat thermometer in the thickest part of the inner thigh, but not touching the bone.
How long does it take to cook a 15 pound turkey at 375?
Preparing the bird – Heat oven to 375 degrees. Cooking the bird – Estimate 12- 15 minutes per pound for stuffed turkeys. Testing for doneness – You can either test by checking the temperature or checking the color of the juices. Finishing off – Remove bird from the oven.
How many minutes per pound do you cook a turkey in a convection oven?
Range & Wall Oven – Cooking a Turkey in a Convection Oven Minutes/lb. Oven Temp Whole Turkey Unstuffed (10-15 lbs.) 8-11 min./lb 325 Unstuffed (over 15 lbs.) 7-10 min/lb. 325 Turkey Breast.
Should I brine a Butterball turkey?
Should I brine or pre-salt the turkey? Butterball turkeys have a solution in them that really helps to keep them moist and juicy and tender. If you’re going to brine it, we do suggest that you cut down on the salt.”Nov 26, 2019.
Is slow roasting a turkey safe?
Slow-cooking overnight method Make it safe – The United States Department of Agriculture ( USDA ) recommends temperatures no lower than 325 degrees Fahrenheit for cooking meat and poultry. Cook turkey to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Is it better to cook a turkey at a lower temperature?
A lower the rack will take more time to thaw. It’s absolutely critical that the turkey is completely thawed to be successful using a low-temperature, slow-bake recipe.
Should you let your turkey come to room temperature before cooking?
First, Bring Your Bird to Room Temp 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. 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.
Do you put water in a roasting pan for turkey?
Should You Put Water in the Turkey Roasting Pan? We do not recommend adding water to the bottom of the pan. Cooking a turkey with steam is a moist heat-cook method and is acceptable, sure, but is not the preferred method for cooking your turkey.”Sep 7, 2021.
Can I butter my turkey the night before?
The bird should be prepared the night before. Mix the butter with the salt and freshly ground black pepper, then season the cavity of the bird. Rub the butter mix all over the turkey. Take the turkey out of the fridge and allow it to come to room temperature while the oven is heating up.
