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Weve cooked a fair number of turkeys over the years at Country Living and, without tooting our horns too much, weve got the technique pretty dialed in. (We can even help you fix a burnt turkey if need be.) So follow these simple instructions, and youll be carving a perfectly browned bird worthy of a Norman Rockwell painting this year.
Cooking a stuffed turkey for Thanksgiving or any special occasion can seem daunting, especially when dealing with a large 20 lb bird. Getting the doneness right is key to serving up tender, juicy meat along with perfectly cooked stuffing. Follow this guide to learn exactly how long to cook a stuffed 20 lb turkey.
Overview of Cooking Time
As a general guideline, a stuffed 20 lb turkey takes approximately 4 1⁄2 to 5 hours to cook in a 325°F oven. However, it is imperative to use a meat thermometer to check for doneness instead of relying solely on time. The internal temperature should reach 165°F in the thickest part of the breast, thigh, and wing, as well as the center of the stuffing.
Cooking times can vary based on factors like oven calibration turkey shape, and stuffing amount so a thermometer is indispensable for guaranteed safety and ideal juiciness.
Step-by-Step Cooking Process
Follow these simple steps for roasting a flavorful 20 lb stuffed turkey
1. Prepare the Turkey
- Thaw the turkey completely if frozen. Defrosting in the refrigerator is best, allowing 24 hours for every 4-5 lbs.
- Remove giblets and neck from the cavity. Reserve for gravy or discard.
- Rinse turkey under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
- Rub the skin with butter or oil. Sprinkle evenly with salt, pepper, and any additional seasonings.
- Stuff the cavity loosely just before roasting. Use 1/2 to 1 cup stuffing per lb turkey.
2. Calculate Cooking Time
- Pre-heat the oven to 325°F.
- Estimate 20 minutes per lb, so 20 lbs x 20 minutes = 400 minutes total time.
- Add 30 minutes extra cooking time since the turkey is stuffed.
- The total estimated time is then 430 minutes or 7 hours 10 minutes.
3. Roast the Turkey
- Place turkey breast-side up on a roasting rack in a shallow roasting pan.
- Tent loosely with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning.
- Roast for the estimated time, removing foil during the last hour.
4. Check for Doneness
- Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, taking care not to touch bone.
- Check the temperature after about 3 hours, then every 30 minutes thereafter.
- The turkey is done when the thigh reaches 165°F and the stuffing reaches the same temp.
- If the skin is browning too quickly, cover loosely with foil.
5. Let the Turkey Rest
- Once fully cooked all the way through, remove the turkey from the oven.
- Allow to rest for 20-30 minutes before carving. This allows juices to re-distribute.
- Use this time to make gravy from the delicious pan drippings if desired.
6. Carve and Serve
- Transfer the rested turkey to a cutting board and carve.
- For safety, discard any stuffing left in the cavity. Serve only fully cooked stuffing from inside the bird.
- Arrange sliced turkey on a platter and enjoy this mouth-watering meal!
Turkey Cooking FAQs
Should you cook stuffing separately?
For maximum food safety, it’s best to cook stuffing in a casserole dish rather than inside the bird. However, if you do opt for a stuffed turkey, use a thermometer to verify the center of the stuffing reaches 165°F.
Can you speed up the cooking time?
It’s not advisable to increase the oven temperature above 325°F, as this can cause uneven cooking. Lower temperatures are ideal for gently and thoroughly cooking poultry.
Should you tent the turkey with foil?
Tenting with foil is recommended to prevent over-browning and excessive skin crisping. Remove it during the last 45-60 minutes for the skin to turn beautifully golden.
Is basting necessary during roasting?
Basting adds flavor but isn’t required. Repeatedly opening the oven extends cooking time, so it’s best to baste just a couple of times if desired.
How long should you let the turkey rest?
Letting the turkey rest for 20-30 minutes after cooking allows juices to redistribute through the meat. This ensures tender, juicy meat when you carve and serve.
Get Creative with Stuffing and Seasonings
When cooking your Thanksgiving or Christmas turkey, get creative with the stuffing and spice rubs. Here are some delicious ideas:
- Apple and sage stuffing
- Sausage stuffing with fennel and cranberries
- Cornbread oyster stuffing
- Dried fruit and nut stuffing
- Spicy southwestern rub with chili powder and cumin
- Herb butter under the skin and on top
- Citrus and thyme rub for a zesty flavor
No matter which flavors you select, following the time and temperature guidelines above will ensure your 20 lb stuffed turkey turns out perfect. Crispy browned skin, aromatic stuffing, and succulent meat are just an oven away. Gather loved ones, carve up this magnificent bird, and dig in for a holiday meal to remember.
Now: Preheat the Oven and Season the Bird
We recommend preheating the oven to 325°F and not much higher. While higher temperatures will cook a turkey faster, theyll also increase the chances that your bird will singe or even burn on the outside before the inside is cooked through. This isnt a weeknight meal that you should be rushing through; low and slow is the way to go.
The important thing to stress is hitting that 165ºF mark with the instant-read thermometer so that you know its safe to eat. Note: Once you remove your turkey, the temperature will continue rising another 20 degrees or so. So its okay to pull it out a little before it hits 165°F, as long as it gets there at some point.
To season a turkey, you dont need too much: Butter on the skin, along with salt and pepper will suffice. You can put a bundle of herbs (sage, rosemary, thyme) along with an onion, or a lemon, or some celery, in the cavity. But of course we have many Thanksgiving turkey recipes with different flavor options to choose from.
We dont recommend cooking the stuffing inside your turkey. It simply makes the bird take longer to cook.
You can get lots of turkey flavor into the stuffing by using some of the pan drippings when cooking the stuffing on the stove. However, if stuffing the turkey is important to you, we have advice on adjusting cooking times, below.
How Long to Cook an Unstuffed Turkey (Recommended)
The first thing you should do before you embark on cooking a turkey is invest in an instant-read thermometer. Cooking by temperature is the best and safest way to know when your turkey is ready. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the bird between the breast and part of the thigh (being sure not to hit bone). Its done when the thermometer just reaches 165ºF.
In general, you should plan to cook a turkey for around 15-20 minutes per pound of turkey at 325ºF to get to that temp. But thats only an estimate! The time will vary based on the exact size of the bird, as well as the size of the oven and how accurate your temperature gauge works, and whether or not the bird is stuffed. Thats why we always recommend you use a thermometer to be safe. Heres a quick breakdown of weights and times. At 325°F for an unstuffed turkey:
- 10-12 pounds: cook 2 3/4 to 3 hours
- 15-16 pounds: cook 3 1/2 to 4 hours
- 18-20 pounds: cook 4 to 4 1/2 hours
For a turkey that is 20-pounds or more, settle in for the afternoon. This could take around 4 1/2 to 5 hours.
One note: We actually dont recommend you cook the stuffing inside the turkey (and the USDA agrees). It increases the chances the turkey will cook unevenly. It also increases the Thanksgiving turkey cook time and will dry the turkey out.
But most importantly: you miss out on the delicious crispy-crunchy bits that you get when the stuffing is cooked in a pan or dish! Why would you give that up? We have plenty of delicious stovetop and baked stuffing recipes that will impress.