Let’s discuss the part of preparing a turkey that we all fear the most: How Long to Cook a Turkey. There’s nothing more nerve-wracking then wondering if you’re going to overcook the bird. I’ve broken every step down for you, meaning you can now begin your turkey takedown with confidence!
Whether you’re preparing a modest 4-pound turkey breast or a whopping 24-pound full bird, I have tips to help you figure out when to thaw, brine, and bake your turkey.
Plus, I’ve included some of my best tips and tricks for knowing when your turkey is done (spoiler alert: you’re definitely going to want one of these bad boys).
Scroll down to view all of the content, or use the Table of Contents box above to skip to the content you need.
Plus, I have a printable how long to cook a turkey in the oven chart with turkey cook times at the end.
Below, you’ll find estimated cook times for unstuffed turkeys (stuffing cooked outside the bird) and stuffed turkeys (stuffing cooked inside the bird).
It’s important to keep a close eye on things throughout the cooking process to make sure everything turns out perfectly.
Roasting a turkey can be daunting especially if you’re tackling the big bird for the first time. With so much food and family riding on your shoulders, it’s crucial to properly calculate the cooking time. Understanding how long it takes per pound is key to serving up tender, juicy meat right on schedule.
When roasting at 325°F, the standard timing is 15 minutes per pound for a stuffed turkey An unstuffed turkey cooks faster, at around 13 minutes per pound This accounts for the extra time needed for heat to thoroughly penetrate a cavity packed full of stuffing or dressing.
So for a 13 lb turkey cooked at 325°F, here’s what to expect:
- Unstuffed: 13 lb X 13 minutes per lb = 169 minutes (2 hours, 49 minutes)
- Stuffed: 13 lb X 15 minutes per lb = 195 minutes (3 hours, 15 minutes)
While these times are a reliable baseline, a number of factors can alter the total roasting time. Use these turkey cooking tips to guarantee perfect results.
Turkey Cooking Tip #1: Always Use a Meat Thermometer
Rather than obsessing over minutes, let internal temperature be your guide. Insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, taking care not to hit bone. Once it registers 165°F, the turkey is done and ready for carving.
If using a leave-in meat thermometer, insert the probe before roasting. Check the temp periodically, and anticipate the final 15°F carryover rise after the bird is removed from the oven.
Turkey Cooking Tip #2: Factor in Thawing
For food safety, turkeys must be completely thawed before cooking. The standard thawing time is 24 hours per 4-5 pounds of turkey in the refrigerator.
A frozen or partially frozen turkey will require significantly more time to roast through to 165°F. Monitor the bird closely and extend cooking time if needed.
Turkey Cooking Tip #3: Watch the Shape
Lumpy, irregularly shaped turkeys cook less evenly than compact, uniformly rounded birds. Expect a longer cooking time for turkeys with an odd shape to allow heat to properly penetrate all areas.
Turkey Cooking Tip #4: Preheat Your Oven
Be sure your oven is fully preheated to 325°F before placing the turkey inside. Starting in a cold oven extends the cook time. Let the oven fully preheat for an extra 30 minutes beyond reaching temperature.
Turkey Cooking Tip #5: Shield the Breast
Since white breast meat cooks faster than dark thighs and legs, cover it loosely with foil during roasting to prevent overcooking. Remove the foil 30-45 minutes before the expected finish time to brown.
Turkey Cooking Tip #6: Cook Stuffing Separately
Cooking dressing or stuffing in the turkey cavity thickens the walls insulating the meat, slowing heat transfer. For food safety and even doneness, cook stuffing separately and spoon into the carved turkey.
Turkey Cooking Tip #7: Rest Before Carving
Letting the turkey rest 20-30 minutes after removing from the oven allows juices time to redistribute uniformly through the meat. Skipping this step causes dryness. The internal temp continues increasing during rest time.
Turkey Cooking Tip #8: Add Extra Weight Time
The holidays are stressful! Build in a buffer by tacking on an extra 15 minutes per pound to your estimate, just in case the gravy boilover sets you back. No harm in a perfectly cooked turkey finished early!
Putting It All Together
For a 13 lb stuffed turkey cooked at 325°F, plan on around 3 hours 30 minutes total roasting time as your starting point.
Monitor temperature periodically with a meat thermometer for doneness instead of obsessing over minutes. Shield the breast, let the turkey rest before carving, and pad the estimate a bit.
When to Brine Your Turkey
- Wet Brine. If you’re using a wet brine, plan on adding it 12 to 24 hours ahead of time.
- Dry Brine. If you’re using a dry brine, plan on adding it 24 to 48 hours ahead of time.
The Turkey Prep Countdown
So, Thanksgiving is quickly approaching, you know how many guests you’ll be serving, and you’ve purchased your turkey.
Now, it’s time to make a turkey timeline!
Using the reference guides below, you can game plan what steps you’ll need to do and when you’ll need to do them.
How long does it take to cook a 13 pound turkey?
FAQ
How long to cook a 13 lb turkey at 325 degrees?
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How Long To Cook Your Turkey
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8 – 12 pounds
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2 hours, 45 minutes – 3 hours
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12 – 14 pounds
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3 hours – 3 hours, 45 minutes
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14 – 18 pounds
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3 hours, 45 minutes – 4 hours, 15 minutes
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18 – 20 pounds
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4 hours, 15 minutes – 4 hours, 30 minutes
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Is it better to cook turkey at 325 or 350?
What temperature should a 13 lb turkey be when it’s done?
How long to cook a 13 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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