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 the perfect turkey can seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. With a few simple tips from Butterball, you’ll have a juicy and delicious turkey on your table in no time. In this article, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about cooking times for Butterball turkeys so you can plan accordingly and wow your guests.
Overview of Cooking Times Per Pound
The most common question when preparing turkey is “how long do I cook it?” The cooking time depends primarily on the size and method, but as a general rule of thumb, figure about 15 minutes per pound if roasting a thawed turkey at 325°F
Here’s a glance at approximate roasting times for common turkey sizes:
- 12 lb turkey: cook for about 3 hours
- 16 lb turkey: cook for about 4 hours
- 20 lb turkey: cook for about 5 hours
These times are based on a fully thawed turkey cooked at 325°F Frozen turkeys take longer, while higher oven temperatures reduce cook time Make sure to use a meat thermometer to check for doneness rather than relying solely on cook times.
Key Factors That Affect Cooking Time
While the basic 15 minutes per pound for a thawed turkey at 325°F is a handy guideline there are a few factors that can adjust cooking time one way or another
1. Turkey Size
The bigger the turkey, the longer the cook time. A good rule of thumb is to allow 15-18 minutes per pound for a whole turkey. Smaller turkeys and turkey parts require less time.
2. Thawed vs. Frozen
A fully thawed turkey cooks significantly faster than a frozen one. A thawed turkey takes approximately 15 minutes per pound at 325°F. A frozen turkey will need about 30 minutes per pound since it requires extra time to safely thaw.
3. Oven Temperature
Higher oven temperatures will reduce cook time while lower oven temps will increase it. The standard roasting temp is 325°F, but 350°F – 375°F can shave off up to 30 minutes. Just keep in mind that higher temps may cause overbrowning.
4. Stuffed vs. Unstuffed
A stuffed turkey takes longer to cook than an unstuffed one since the center of stuffing must reach 165°F. Plan for approximately 30-45 extra minutes if stuffing your turkey.
5. Cooking Method
The oven roasting times we’ve focused on so far are different than grill, smoker, or deep fry times. Grilling takes 2-3 hours for a whole turkey while deep frying takes just 3-5 minutes per pound.
How to Tell When Turkey Is Done
Relying on cook times alone isn’t fail proof, so a meat thermometer is your best friend when roasting turkey. Turkey is safely cooked and ready to eat once it reaches the following internal temperatures:
- 165°F for the stuffing (if stuffed)
- 170°F for the breast meat
- 175°F for the thigh and wing meat
The best way to check temperature is by inserting an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, taking care not to hit the bone. For stuffed turkeys, insert the thermometer into the center of stuffing to ensure it has reached 165°F.
If using a whole turkey thermometer, make sure the probe isn’t touching any bones when inserted. As a final tip, let the turkey rest 15-20 minutes before slicing so juices can redistribute for moist, flavorful meat.
Cooking Time Tables for Thawed Turkeys
For quick reference, here are handy cooking time tables for thawed Butterball whole turkeys and turkey breasts at various weights and oven temps:
Whole Turkey (Unstuffed)
325°F Oven
- 8 – 12 lbs: 23⁄4 – 3 hours
- 12 – 14 lbs: 3 – 33⁄4 hours
- 14 – 18 lbs: 33⁄4 – 4 hours
- 18 – 20 lbs: 4 – 41⁄4 hours
- 20 – 24 lbs: 41⁄4 – 43⁄4 hours
350°F Oven
- 8 – 12 lbs: 2 1⁄4 – 2 3⁄4 hours
- 12 – 14 lbs: 2 3⁄4 – 3 1⁄4 hours
- 14 – 18 lbs: 3 – 3 1⁄2 hours
- 18 – 20 lbs: 3 1⁄2 – 4 hours
- 20 – 24 lbs: 4 – 4 1⁄4 hours
Whole Turkey Breasts (Unstuffed)
325°F Oven
- 3 – 5 lbs: 1 1⁄2 – 2 1⁄4 hours
- 5 – 7 lbs: 2 1⁄4 – 2 3⁄4 hours
350°F Oven
- 3 – 5 lbs: 1 1⁄4 – 2 hours
- 5 – 7 lbs: 2 – 2 1⁄2 hours
Boneless Turkey Roasts
325°F Oven
- 2 – 4 lbs: 1 1⁄4 – 2 hours
- 4 – 6 lbs: 2 – 2 1⁄2 hours
350°F Oven
- 2 – 4 lbs: 1 – 1 3⁄4 hours
- 4 – 6 lbs: 1 3⁄4 – 2 1⁄4 hours
Cooking turkey seems difficult until you learn a few simple tricks. Follow the 15 minutes per pound for thawed turkeys at 325°F rule of thumb. Adjust time up or down based on size, thawing, oven temp, stuffing, and cooking method. Always rely on a meat thermometer over cook times to determine doneness. Once you try cooking turkey yourself using these tips, you’ll discover it’s much easier than you realized.
How to Make Oven Roasted Turkey
- Thaw your turkey according to how much it weighs. Dry with paper towels and don’t forget to pull out all the giblets and innards.
- Preheat oven to 450° F. Once your turkey is dry, rub it with softened or melted butter. Sprinkle interior and exterior of turkey generously with salt (and pepper, if desired). Fold the wings back and under the bird (like its sunbathing) and tie the legs together with kitchen twine. Set on roasting rack in roasting pan.
- Place your turkey into the oven and immediately reduce the temperature to 350° F. My turkey was 14 pounds, so it took about 3 hours. Start checking for doneness when the bird is looking golden brown OR 30 minutes before it is estimated to be finished, whichever comes first.
- Turkey is done when the breast reaches an internal temperature of 165° F.
- Take your turkey out, tent with foil and let it rest for 15 minutes. Slice and serve. (I recommend making this Amazing Turkey Gravy as a great accompaniment.)
Should you buy a fresh or frozen turkey? Should it be organic? Free range? All of those things come down to personal preference. The vast majority of Turkeys roasted for Thanksgiving are previously frozen. They can be bought in advance, are typically the least expensive out of the group and come in a variety of sizes (I’ve seen turkey’s range from 11 to 25 pounds at the grocery store!)
How to add flavor to your Thanksgiving Turkey
Of course if you wanted to add some sort of flavor to your turkey, feel free to add those flavors to your butter that you will spread all over your turkey. Delicious options include:
- fresh sage or thyme
- lemon or orange zest
- garlic
- marjoram
For an extra oomph of flavor (and moisture), feel free to fill your turkey cavity with any of the following: onion, garlic, celery, apples, lemon slices, orange wedges, fresh sage and thyme.
Butterball Turkeys with Chef Tony
FAQ
Do you cook a turkey covered or uncovered Butterball?
How long do you bake 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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6-7 lbs.
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2-2½ hrs.
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2¼-2¾ hrs.
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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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Is it better to cook turkey at 325 or 350?
How long do you cook a 14 lb turkey in a Butterball fryer?