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 delicious and juicy Butterball turkey for your holiday meal can seem daunting, especially when it comes to figuring out the cooking time But have no fear, we’re here to walk you through everything you need to know to perfectly roast your Butterball turkey.
Choosing Your Butterball Turkey
Butterball offers a wide variety of whole turkeys, turkey breasts, and other turkey products. The first step is selecting the right Butterball turkey for your gathering.
Some key factors to consider
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Number of people: Choose an appropriate sized turkey for the number of people you plan to serve. Estimate about 1 pound of turkey per person. An 8 to 12 pound turkey feeds 8 to 12 people.
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Bone-in or boneless: Bone-in whole turkeys have the most classic presentation, but boneless turkey breasts or roasts cook faster.
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Frozen or fresh Make sure to allow time for frozen turkeys to completely thaw in the fridge before cooking,
Once you select your Butterball turkey, it’s time to figure out the cooking time.
Calculating Cooking Time
The most important factor for determining how long to cook your Butterball turkey is the weight.
Here are some general turkey cooking time guidelines from Butterball:
Whole Bone-In Turkeys
- Unstuffed:
- 6-8 lbs: 2.5 to 3 hours
- 8-12 lbs: 3 to 3.5 hours
- 12-14 lbs: 3.5 to 4 hours
- 14-18 lbs: 4 to 4.5 hours
- 18-20 lbs: 4.5 to 5 hours
- 20-24 lbs: 5 to 5.5 hours
- Stuffed:
- 8-12 lbs: 3 to 3.5 hours
- 12-14 lbs: 3.5 to 4 hours
- 14-18 lbs: 4 to 4.5 hours
- 18-20 lbs: 4.5 to 5 hours
- 20-24 lbs: 5 to 5.75 hours
Turkey Breasts
- Bone-in:
- 3-6 lbs: 1.5 to 2.5 hours
- Boneless:
- 3-6 lbs: 1.25 to 2 hours
These time ranges account for variation in turkey shapes and oven hot spots. Make sure to use a meat thermometer to check for doneness rather than relying solely on cook times.
Cook Your Turkey Until It Reaches 165°F
While cook times provide an estimate, the only way to definitively know your turkey is fully cooked is to use a meat thermometer.
Follow these temperature guidelines:
- Insert thermometer into the thickest part of the breast and thigh, without touching the bone.
- Turkey is safe to eat once it registers 165°F in both the breast and thigh.
If stuffing your turkey, the center of the stuffing must also reach 165°F. Check temperature in multiple spots to account for cold spots.
For whole turkeys, expect the breast to reach 165°F shortly before the thigh. If breast is at 165°F but thigh is under, cover breast with foil and continue cooking until thigh is 165°F.
Factors That Affect Cook Time
While weight is the primary factor for turkey cook time, several other elements can speed up or slow down cooking:
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Oven temperature: The standard turkey cooking temp is 325°F. Higher oven temps will decrease cook time. Lower oven temps will lengthen it.
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Frozen vs. thawed: A frozen turkey will take significantly longer to cook than a thawed turkey. Make sure frozen turkeys have at least 2-3 days to thaw in the fridge before roasting.
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Stuffed vs. unstuffed: An unstuffed turkey cooks faster than a stuffed turkey, since the stuffing has to be heated through.
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Cooking method: Roasting tends to be slower than grilling, smoking, or other high-heat methods. Refer to Butterball’s cooking times for each specific method.
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Turkey shape and pan: Irregularly shaped turkeys and crowded pans can lead to uneven cooking. Allow extra time if needed.
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Oven hot spots: If parts of your oven run hot, rotate pans halfway through for even cooking.
Use a Meat Thermometer for Perfect Results Every Time
While the above guidelines provide a great starting point for how long your Butterball turkey needs to cook, oven temperatures and turkey shapes can vary.
The best way to ensure your turkey reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F without overcooking is to use a meat thermometer. This takes the guesswork out of determining doneness.
For whole roasted turkeys, check temperature in both the thigh and breast. For boneless roasts and breasts, check the thickest part. And for stuffed turkeys, check the center of the stuffing as well.
Once your Butterball turkey hits 165°F in all those locations, it’s ready to carve and serve! Just be sure to let it rest for 15-20 minutes first for juicy results.
With the right size turkey, estimated cook times, and thermometer readings, you’ll have perfectly cooked holiday turkey. Have more questions? The Butterball Turkey Talk Line experts are available 365 days a year to chat.
So go enjoy time with friends and family while your Butterball turkey roasts to juicy, tender perfection. Happy holidays from Butterball!
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 Keep Your Turkey Juicy
Many people will tell you that you need to brine your bird or incorporate some kind of rub or seasoning to promote a juicy turkey. Some even say fresh is king and frozen birds are the problem. I don’t believe any of it. A fresh bird is plenty juicy. So is a frozen one! If you happen to have a frozen turkey, read the label. Odds are you’ll see that it says “contains up to 8% of a solution of water, salt, spices and natural flavor for tenderness and juiciness.” This basically means that if you defrost your bird in the fridge for a few days, it will be sitting in this solution…therefore brining itself before you roast it. The work has already been done.
All you have to do now is roast it until it hits the proper temperatures without going past too far, and you’re there! Roasted turkey heaven. Once you get that turkey out of the oven, tent it with foil to let it rest 15-20 minutes and then slice and serve.
Some people don’t like the ingredients or the “natural flavors” in the solution that come in a frozen turkey and choose to brine a fresh bird. To each their own! Good for you if this is what you choose to do. Some people will brine their frozen bird to impart more flavors THEY like. Again, you do you, boo.
If you’re a beginner or don’t want to have to deal with brines or just simply don’t know where to begin, just know that skipping a brine or a special rub is aok, and you’ll still have a great turkey.
How long do you cook a boneless Butterball turkey breast?
FAQ
How long do you cook a Butterball turkey per pound?
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Weight
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Cook Time (Unstuffed)
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Cook Time (Stuffed)
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7-10 lbs.
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2½-3 hrs.
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2¾-3½ hrs.
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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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How long does a Butterball turkey take to cook?
**The cooking time for a Butterball turkey is approximately 10 minutes per pound when roasted at 325°F (163°C).** To ensure that your turkey is cooked to perfection, use a food thermometer to verify if it has reached the recommended internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
What temperature should a Butterball turkey be cooked at?
While a higher temperature may result in a quicker cooking time, it is generally recommended to cook a Butterball turkey at 325°F (163°C). This lower temperature allows for more even cooking and reduces the chance of drying out the turkey. 7. How do I keep the Butterball turkey moist?
Can you cook a frozen Butterball turkey?
Yes, you can cook a frozen Butterball turkey. However, it is important to allow extra cooking time. Follow the package instructions for cooking times and temperatures, making sure to check the internal temperature with a food thermometer. 4. How should I prepare the Butterball turkey before cooking?
How do you cook a 3 lb Butterball turkey breast?
A: There are a few different ways to cook a 3 lb Butterball turkey breast. You can roast it in the oven, cook it in a slow cooker, or grill it. To roast the turkey breast in the oven, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the turkey breast in a roasting pan and rub it with olive oil.