How Long to Cook a Turkey: Roasting Time Chart by Weight
Part of the project planner: Planning the holidays: dinner, tree and lights.
A 14 pound turkey takes 3 h to 3 h 45 min at 325°F if it is not stuffed. The time depends on the weight, and the bird is done when a food thermometer reads 165°F in the thickest part of the breast and thigh, not when the timer rings. The turkey size calculator gives the roasting time for your own bird, with the thawing time and the size to buy.
Turkey roasting time chart
At 325°F for a whole turkey, from the USDA's roasting chart. The stuffed time adds about 30 minutes. Times are approximate:
| Turkey weight | Unstuffed | Stuffed (about) |
|---|---|---|
| 8 lb | 2 h 45 min to 3 h | 3 h 15 min to 3 h 30 min |
| 10 lb | 2 h 45 min to 3 h | 3 h 15 min to 3 h 30 min |
| 12 lb | 2 h 45 min to 3 h | 3 h 15 min to 3 h 30 min |
| 14 lb | 3 h to 3 h 45 min | 3 h 30 min to 4 h 15 min |
| 16 lb | 3 h 45 min to 4 h 15 min | 4 h 15 min to 4 h 45 min |
| 18 lb | 3 h 45 min to 4 h 15 min | 4 h 15 min to 4 h 45 min |
| 20 lb | 4 h 15 min to 4 h 30 min | 4 h 45 min to 5 h |
| 22 lb | 4 h 30 min to 5 h | 5 h to 5 h 30 min |
| 24 lb | 4 h 30 min to 5 h | 5 h to 5 h 30 min |
The chart is for a fresh or fully thawed turkey. A frozen one (cooked from frozen) takes at least 50% longer, and should be checked in several places.
How to cook it
- Preheat the oven to 325°F and put the rack at the bottom third. Set the turkey breast up on a rack in a roasting pan.
- For safety, cook the stuffing separately if you can, in a dish. A stuffed bird takes longer, and the stuffing must reach 165°F too.
- Check the temperature in the thickest part of the breast, the innermost part of the thigh and the wing, without touching the bone. Each must read at least 165°F.
- Cover the breast with foil if it browns too fast. Remove the foil for the last 30 to 45 minutes to brown the skin.
- Rest it for 20 to 30 minutes, loosely covered, before you carve. The juices stay in the meat.
Plan the day
Use the time you want dinner to start, subtract the longest roasting time and the rest, and add a safety margin. If the turkey is ready early, it keeps hot, covered with foil and towels, for an hour or so.
Why the time varies
- A cold turkey from the refrigerator takes longer than one that has been sitting out for a while. It should not sit out for more than two hours.
- A dark roasting pan cooks faster than a shiny one, and a deep pan shields the legs.
- Convection ovens are faster: check the bird about 30 minutes earlier.
- Oven thermostats are often a little off. An oven thermometer shows the real temperature.
- Opening the oven door often lets the heat out and adds time.
How much turkey to buy
Plan 1 to 1½ pounds of whole turkey per person. See the turkey size calculator for the weight, and the Thanksgiving dinner calculator for the rest of the meal. Thaw it first: see how long to thaw a turkey. These times follow the USDA guidance; always use a thermometer to know when the turkey is cooked.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to cook a 14 pound turkey?
About 3 h to 3 h 45 min at 325°F if it is not stuffed, and about 3 h 30 min to 4 h 15 min stuffed. Cook it until the thickest part of the breast and thigh reach 165°F.
How long to cook a 20 pound turkey?
About 4 h 15 min to 4 h 30 min at 325°F, unstuffed. A bird this size is better cooked in two smaller ones if the oven is small.
How long to cook a 10 pound turkey?
About 2 h 45 min to 3 h at 325°F, unstuffed.
What temperature should a turkey be cooked to?
A food thermometer must read at least 165°F in the thickest part of the breast, the innermost part of the thigh and the wing, and in the stuffing.
How long should a turkey rest before carving?
About 20 to 30 minutes, covered loosely with foil. The juices settle, the temperature rises a little and the bird is easier to carve.
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