Between baking homemade pies, warming everyones favorite holiday casseroles, and browning the dinner rolls, the battle for oven space on Turkey Day can be intense. To pull off the perfect feast, you have to have a detailed schedule, knowing exactly when the stuffing will go in and the mac and cheese will come out. And then theres the true hog of the oven: the ever-important roasted turkey. Not only does it require lots of space to roast to juicy perfection, it requires plenty of time. But just how much time?
No matter how tasty the sides or stunning the dessert table, the success of a Thanksgiving feast all falls on the the turkey. What more can we say? Turkey Day is all about the bird! Thats why its important to know how to thaw a turkey, add flavor by seasoning the turkey and basting it while cooking, and how long to cook it. Use this guide and there will be no guessing games on Thanksgiving Day. To determine the cook time, start with the size of the bird and whether or not its stuffed. (Fans of brined turkeys will also want to factor in an extra day, which is what The Pioneer Woman likes to do.)
The best thing you can do on Thanksgiving Day is plan ahead. Whether youre sticking to a classic roasted turkey or want to try something a little different this year (like Ree Drummonds gussied up bacon-wrapped bird!), this helpful guide is here to make sure time is on your side. And no matter what, do like the pros and factor in resting time for your bird. Let the turkey rest for at least 30 minutes after cooking—longer is even better—so that the juices have time to redistribute for the juiciest meat possible.
Cooking the star of your Thanksgiving meal – a juicy, golden brown turkey – can seem daunting. With all the sides, appetizers, and desserts you still need to prepare, you want to make sure you allow enough time for your turkey. So how long does it take to cook a 28 pound turkey to perfection? This article will provide a detailed guide on exactly how long you need to cook your 28 lb bird.
Why Weight Matters
The most important factor in determining turkey cook time is the weight, The general rule of thumb is that you should plan for 15-18 minutes of cooking per pound, This ensures the turkey reaches an safe internal temperature while still retaining moisture,
For a 28 pound turkey, this means you’ll need between 7-9 hours of cooking time. That may sound like a lot, but remember this is for a very large bird. The great news is that most of this time is inactive – you just need to pop it in the oven and let it do its thing
Recommended Cook Times
Most experts, including the USDA, recommend roasting a turkey at 325°F. This strikes the right balance between cooking the meat through while still yielding a juicy interior.
Here are the recommended cook times from various sources:
- For a 24-27 lb turkey: Bake at 325°F for 3-3 3/4 hours [Food Network]
- For a 28-30 lb turkey: Bake at 325°F for 3 1/2-4 1/2 hours [All Recipes]
- For a 28 lb turkey: Bake at 325°F for approximately 7 hours [Butterball Turkey Calculator]
As you can see, cook times range from 3 1/2 hours for a smaller 24 lb turkey, up to 7 hours for a 28 lb bird.
Why You Shouldn’t Rely on Time Alone
While these cook time estimates are useful guidelines, you shouldn’t rely on time alone to determine doneness. The only way to accurately assess whether your turkey is fully cooked is to use a meat thermometer.
You want the thickest part of the thigh to reach 165°F before removing your turkey from the oven. Once it hits this temperature, your turkey is safe to eat.
The butterball turkey calculator actually recommends starting to check the temperature after 2 hours, and then continuing to check every 30 minutes until it reaches 165°F. This ensures you don’t over or under cook it.
- Calculate the approximate cook time based on weight as a starting guide
- Verify doneness by checking internal temp with a meat thermometer
- Total cook time may vary based on actual oven temp, how cold turkey was to start, etc
As long as you verify it reaches the proper internal temp, you’ll end up with perfectly cooked turkey regardless of slight variations in cook time.
Handling the Thawed Bird
Proper thawing is also key to achieving the ideal cook time. Never cook a frozen turkey – it must be completely thawed first.
There are three safe ways to thaw a turkey:
- Refrigerator: Allow 24 hours for every 4-5 lbs of turkey.
- Cold water: Submerge sealed turkey in cold water, changing water every 30 minutes. About 30 minutes per pound.
- Microwave: Follow appliance guidelines for thawing. Approx 6 minutes per pound.
If your turkey is still partially frozen when you start cooking, it will take much longer to reach the proper internal temperature.
After thawing, leave turkey in the fridge until ready to cook. Place turkey on a rack in a roasting pan right before putting in the oven. This allows air flow for even cooking.
Handling the Leftovers
A 28 lb turkey will provide ample leftovers for turkey sandwiches, soups, casseroles, and more!
Be sure to allow the cooked turkey to rest for 30 minutes before carving. Then carve what you’ll need for the initial meal.
Cut the remaining meat from the bones and refrigerate in shallow containers within 2 hours of cooking. Use leftover turkey within 3-4 days.
You can also portion and freeze leftovers. Turkey keeps well frozen for 4-6 months.
Additional Tips for Roasting 28 lb Turkey
Here are some additional tips to ensure roasting success:
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Brine the turkey in saltwater overnight before cooking for juicy, well seasoned meat. Or rub butter/oil under the skin.
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Tent turkey with foil to prevent over-browning. Check and baste every 45-60 minutes.
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Stuffing is optional – for food safety cook it separately in a baking dish.
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Roast turkey breast side up on a rack in a shallow pan. This allows air circulation.
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Let turkey rest 20-30 minutes before carving for juicier meat.
When cooking a 28 lb turkey, plan for approximately 7 hours in a 325°F oven. However, be sure to use a meat thermometer to verify the turkey reaches 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh before removing from oven. Following proper thawing, handling, and roasting techniques will ensure you end up with a perfectly cooked 28 lb bird just in time for your Thanksgiving feast!
How long per pound do I cook my turkey?
Roasting times for the turkey will vary based on the size of the bird as well as whether its stuffed or unstuffed. As a general rule of thumb, plan on roasting your turkey for 15 to 20 minutes per pound—though to prevent undercooking or overcooking the bird, a thermometer reading will be your best bet. The suggested cooking times below are for a turkey thats roasted at 325 degrees.
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
8 to 12 pounds: 3 to 3 1/2 hours
12 to 14 pounds: 3 1/2 to 4 hours
14 to 18 pounds: 4 to 4 1/4 hours
18 to 20 pounds: 4 1/4 to 4 3/4 hours
20 to 24 pounds 4 3/4 to 5 1/4 hours
Do you cook a turkey longer if it is stuffed?
Yes, a stuffed turkey takes longer to cook than an unstuffed bird. The very center of the stuffing must register at least 165 degrees on an instant read thermometer to ensure that its cooked all the way through. An unstuffed turkey must also reach 165 degrees, but the thermometer probe should be inserted in the deepest part of the thigh, taking care to not touch the bone, to give an accurate reading.
Our advice? Cook the stuffing separately in a baking dish. This not only reduces the risk of cross contamination, but its also the only way to ensure the stuffing gets golden and slightly crisp on top. Of course, the holidays are all about honoring family traditions, so whether you stuff your bird or not is up to personal preference.
How long do you cook a turkey per pound in the oven?
FAQ
How many hours to cook a 28 lb turkey?
How long to cook a 28 pound butterball turkey?
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Weight
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Cook Time (Unstuffed)
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Cook Time (Stuffed)
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10-18 lbs.
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3-3½ hrs.
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3¾-4½ hrs.
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18-22 lbs.
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3½-4 hrs.
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4½-5 hrs.
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22-24 lbs.
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4-4½ hrs.
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5-5½ hrs.
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24-30 lbs.
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4½-5 hrs.
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5½-6¼ hrs.
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Is it better to cook a turkey breast at 325 or 350?
How many people will a 28 pound turkey feed?