Roasting a turkey in your convection oven is about 25% faster than in a traditional oven. Here are cooking times to get it perfect every time.
Once youve mastered preparing a golden-brown, crispy-skinned roasted turkey, it might seem strange to try to fix whats not broken. Unless time is an issue, that is. If youre lucky enough to own a convection oven, you can roast that same turkey in a fraction of the time. With a few tried-and-true turkey roasting tips, youll have your Thanksgiving bird dressed and ready in no time.
Cooking the perfect turkey for Thanksgiving or any special occasion can be a daunting task With oven settings like bake, roast, and convection, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with all the options Many people wonder, should I cook my turkey at 325 or 350 degrees convection? Here’s a definitive guide to help you decide.
Convection Ovens 101
A convection oven has a built-in fan that circulates hot air throughout the oven cavity during cooking. This allows heat to reach the food more efficiently and evenly. The circulating air also helps remove moisture, resulting in crisper and browner food.
Convection ovens can cook foods faster than conventional ovens at the same set temperature. That’s because the forced air movement brings more energy to the food’s surface. With a convection setting, you can reduce the oven temperature by 25-50°F from the recipe recommendation and achieve similar results in less time.
The Benefits of Convection Roasting Your Turkey
There are several advantages to using the convection setting for your Thanksgiving turkey:
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Cooks faster: The circulating hot air penetrates deep into the turkey, cooking it up to 30% faster than conventional roasting. This gives you more flexibility with your holiday timeline.
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Browns evenly: No more having just the legs get crispy and brown! The all-around air flow helps the turkey brown uniformly.
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Stays juicier Fast roasting seals in moisture, so your turkey stays tender and juicy throughout The convection fan also removes excess moisture as the turkey cooks
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Frees up oven space: With shorter cook times, side dishes can go in later, freeing up valuable oven real estate.
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Consistent results: The consistent heat distribution ensures no undercooked or overcooked spots.
Convection Roasting Temperature for Turkey
Most recipes suggest roasting turkey between 325°F and 350°F in a conventional oven. But on the convection setting, you should use a lower temperature between 275-325°F. Here are some tips for choosing the best convection roasting temperature:
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For a 12-15 lb turkey, roast at 300-325°F convection.
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For a 15-18 lb turkey, roast at 275-300°F convection.
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Larger 18-20+ lb turkeys can be safely roasted at 275°F convection.
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Cook stuffed turkeys at the lowest temperature recommended for that size bird. The stuffing needs time to get hot all the way through.
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Check the turkey’s temperature with a meat thermometer. Cook until it reaches 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh and stuffing.
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Let the turkey rest 20 minutes before carving for the juices to settle – the temperature will rise another 5-10°F.
turkey convection oven cooking times
To estimate the convection cooking time for your turkey, use these convection roasting time guidelines:
- 8-12 lbs: 2.5 to 3 hours
- 12-16 lbs: 3 to 3.5 hours
- 16-20 lbs: 3.5 to 4.5 hours
- 20-24 lbs: 4 to 5 hours
Reduce the time by 30 minutes per hour if using the maximum recommended convection temperature for that size turkey.
For example, a 12 lb turkey roasted at 325°F convection will take about 3 hours. If cooked at 300°F it would need around 3.5 hours.
Always use a meat thermometer to determine doneness rather than just cooking time. Every oven performs slightly differently.
Convection Roasting Tips
Follow these tips for roasting turkey successfully on the convection setting:
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Use a low-sided roasting pan so air can circulate all around the turkey. Place the turkey directly on a rack.
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Don’t stuff the turkey too far ahead; refrigerate stuffing separately and cook inside the bird for the minimum time required.
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Brush with oil or melted butter to improve browning. Baste every 30 minutes.
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Tent loosely with foil if the skin browns too quickly or excessively.
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Cook any stuffing to 165°F even if removed early from the turkey cavity.
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Let the turkey rest at least 20 minutes before carving for juicier meat.
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Use the giblets and neck to make gravy while the turkey roasts.
FAQs
Still have questions about convection roasting temperatures for turkey? Here are some frequently asked questions:
Should I cook my turkey at 325 or 350 convection?
For most medium turkeys (12-18 lbs), 325°F is the best convection roasting temperature. It will cook the turkey quickly while still allowing time for the interior to finish without burning the outside.
What if my turkey is less than 12 lbs or more than 18 lbs?
Use 300°F convection for smaller or stuffed turkeys under 12 lbs. Go with 275°F convection for turkeys over 18 lbs so the inside has time to fully cook before the outside over-browns.
How do I know if my oven has a convection setting?
Check for a setting like “Convection Bake” or “Convection Roast.” There will also be a fan inside the rear wall that you can see spinning during convection cooking.
Should I cook the turkey convection at a higher or lower temp than conventional?
Always use a lower temperature like 325°F for convection, whereas you would use 350°F for conventional roasting. The circulating air eliminates hot and cold spots and penetrates food faster so it doesn’t need as high heat.
Can I stuff my turkey and convection roast it?
Yes, just be sure to use the lowest recommended convection temperature for that size bird. Cook until the stuffing reaches 165°F and let the turkey rest before carving.
Get Perfectly Cooked Turkey with Convection Roasting
Cooking turkey using the convection setting can help you achieve a tender, juicy bird with crispy browned skin in less time. For most turkeys under 18 lbs, roasting at 325°F convection is ideal. Just remember to always verify doneness with a meat thermometer rather than just going by cook times. Follow these convection roasting guidelines and you’ll have a centerpiece worthy of any festive feast!
Unstuffed Whole Turkey Breast
If youve decided to leave the breast unstuffed, youll maintain that same temperature standard and adjust your roasting time by about 45 minutes. Always use your meat thermometer to double check your turkey for safe consumption. You dont need a Thanksgiving disaster on your hands.
- 3 to 5½ pounds – 1½ to 2 hours
- 5½ to 9 pounds – 2 to 2½ hours
Turkey Legs, Thighs, and Wings
Why cook the whole bird if you can choose just the pieces you love most instead? If your family prefers extra portions of juicy turkey dark meat or wings, set your convection oven to 325°F and cook as follows:
- Place in pan and cover. Bake 1 to 1½ hours depending on size.
- Uncover and bake another 30 minutes, or until the bone moves easily and the temperature on an instant-read thermometer not touching bone registers 165°F.
Convection cooking, whether its an entire turkey or one boneless and skinless chicken breast, involves some adjustment in time and temperature because a convection oven cooks 25% faster than a conventional oven. While the basic roasting time estimates are good, and you should always go by the temperature reading for safety, the answers to these questions can provide additional instruction for properly timing your turkey while cooking.
- What size is the turkey? The larger the turkey, the longer it will need to be cooked.
- Are you cooking a whole turkey, a turkey breast, or just legs and thighs? White meat cooks more quickly than dark meat, so if you are cooking a breast only, it will take less time to cook the meat to a safe temperature.
- Is the turkey stuffed? Stuffed turkeys take longer to cook to bring the stuffing up to a safe serving temperature (165°F) and avoid food poisoning.
- How dark is your roasting pan? A darker roasting pan will generally cook food more quickly than a shiny metal pan.
- Will you be cooking the turkey in a bag? Cooking turkey in a poultry bag further reduces the cooking time. Check the bag manufacturers instructions for specific cooking times.
- How often will you be basting the turkey? Every time you open the oven to baste the turkey, the temperature of the oven drops slightly. If you baste often, this can lead to slightly longer cooking times. Use a meat thermometer to assure the turkey is cooked to the right temperature.
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