Thanksgiving is here and you want to roast a Turkey. Great! Here is the ‘How to Roast a Turkey” for beginners guide; the simplest method to getting a juicy, golden brown bird every.single.time. I promise it’s so much easier than you think. ANYONE can make a great turkey. Add my tutorial for making amazing Gravy and Cornbread Stuffing and Thanksgiving is served!
Cooking a turkey can seem daunting, but with some simple guidelines, you can cook a juicy, flavorful Butterball turkey. The cooking time depends primarily on the size and whether it is stuffed, so make sure to plan accordingly.
Choosing and Thawing the Turkey
Butterball offers high-quality fresh and frozen turkeys in a range of sizes from 6 lbs up to 30 lbs. Make sure to pick the right size turkey for the number of people you are serving. Plan for about 1 lb of turkey per person.
For optimal flavor and texture, thaw frozen Butterball turkeys in the refrigerator 1-2 days before cooking. This allows the ice crystals to melt slowly. You can quick thaw a turkey in cold water changing the water every 30 minutes. Allow 30 minutes per pound.
Never thaw turkeys on the counter, as bacteria can grow rapidly above 40°F. Cook fresh turkeys within 2 days of purchasing.
Preparing the Turkey
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Take the turkey out of the packaging and discard the neck and giblets Rinse the turkey inside and out with cool water and pat dry with paper towels,
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For easier roasting, tuck the wing tips under the body and tie the legs together with kitchen string. This helps the turkey cook evenly.
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Rub the skin with oil or butter and season generously inside and out with salt and pepper. Stuffing is optional, but make sure it reaches 165°F.
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Place the turkey breast up on a roasting rack in a shallow pan. Insert an oven-safe meat thermometer deep in the thigh avoiding bone.
Roasting Times for Butterball Turkeys
Refer to Butterball’s roasting chart for approximate cooking times. The times can vary depending on your specific oven.
Regular Oven 325°
| Weight | Unstuffed | Stuffed |
|---|---|---|
| 7-10 lbs. | 21⁄2-3 hrs. | 23⁄4-31⁄2 hrs. |
| 10-18 lbs. | 3-31⁄2 hrs. | 33⁄4-41⁄2 hrs. |
| 18-22 lbs. | 31⁄2-4 hrs. | 41⁄2-5 hrs. |
| 22-24 lbs. | 4-41⁄2 hrs. | 5-51⁄2 hrs. |
For stuffed turkeys, the cook time increases about 30 minutes.
If roasting at a higher temp, reduce cook times. Convection ovens can decrease cook times up to 30%.
Doneness and Carryover Cooking
The turkey is safely cooked when the thigh meat reaches 180°F and the breast meat reaches 170°F. If stuffed, the center of the stuffing must reach 165°F.
Always allow the turkey to rest 15-20 minutes before carving. The temperature will rise 5-10°F during this time due to carryover cooking.
To prevent overcooking, tent foil loosely over the turkey for the last hour of roasting time. This allows some steam to escape.
Roasting Tips
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Use a meat thermometer to accurately determine doneness. Do not rely solely on pop-up timers.
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Baste the turkey every hour with pan drippings to keep it moist.
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Add aromatics like onions, carrots, celery and herbs to the bottom of the pan for flavor.
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Letting the turkey sit after roasting allows the juices to absorb back into the meat.
Other Butterball Turkey Cooking Methods
While roasting is most common, Butterball provides directions for other cooking methods:
Grilling: Use indirect heat around 325-350°F. Cook to 165°F breast, 175°F thigh.
Smoking: Cook at 225-250°F for about 5 hours to reach safe internal temp.
Deep Frying: Cook turkey 3-4 minutes per pound at 350°F. Use a thermometer to monitor oil temp.
Spatchcocking: Remove backbone and flatten turkey for quicker, more even cooking.
Air Frying: Cook boneless turkey breast or other cuts in an air fryer. Follow manufacturer instructions.
Handy Time Chart for Butterball Turkeys
Print out this handy reference chart to know approximate cook times for Butterball turkeys. Remember ovens vary, so use a meat thermometer to determine doneness.
| Weight | Unstuffed | Stuffed |
|---|---|---|
| 7-10 lbs. | 21⁄2-3 hrs. | 23⁄4-31⁄2 hrs. |
| 10-18 lbs. | 3-31⁄2 hrs. | 33⁄4-41⁄2 hrs. |
| 18-22 lbs. | 31⁄2-4 hrs. | 41⁄2-5 hrs. |
| 22-24 lbs. | 4-41⁄2 hrs. | 5-51⁄2 hrs. |
Don’t Stress – Enjoy Your Turkey
Cooking a turkey is easier than it seems with some simple guidelines. Focus on proper thawing, preparation, using a meat thermometer and allowing carryover cooking. Soon you’ll be carving up a juicy, delicious Butterball turkey to enjoy with your family.
With the right techniques, you can relax and enjoy the holidays instead of worrying about your turkey. May your Butterball turkey turn out mouthwateringly moist and flavorful every time. Share your favorite turkey tips and recipes in the comments!
Roasted Turkey Tips and Variations
Where you place your turkey in the oven matters. Your turkey will brown quicker if its on a higher rack. If its on a lower rack, it will brown slower. If you notice your turkey has browned really nicely but still isn’t cooked, simply cover with foil, lower it down in the oven and keep roasting until it reaches the proper internal temperature. That meat thermometer is key for roasting a juicy bird.
How to prep a Turkey
Once your turkey is all defrosted, it is ready to prep and go in the oven to roast. What do I mean by ‘prep the turkey’? This simply means taking a few small steps to ensure a crispy, golden roasted turkey. Here’s what to do:
- remove the giblets and neck from the cavity
- blot the entire exterior of the turkey with paper towels to dry it completely
- brush the entire turkey with softened or melted butter and sprinkle generously with salt (the exterior and interior)
- tie the legs together with kitchen twine (unflavored dental floss works in a pinch)
- tuck the wings back behind the bottom of the turkey (so it sort of looks like the turkey is sunbathing)
How to Roast a Turkey – Butterball
FAQ
Is it better to cook turkey at 325 or 350?
Do you cook a Butterball turkey covered or uncovered?
How many minutes per pound for turkey at 325?
How long to cook a 15 pound turkey in a Butterball fryer?