How Long to Cook a Turkey in the Microwave for a Perfectly Moist Holiday Meal

The microwave oven has become an essential appliance in most kitchens for its speed and convenience With the right techniques, you can even use it to cook a juicy, flavorful holiday turkey! Microwaving takes a fraction of the time of roasting, making it ideal for small gatherings or last-minute meals. Read on to learn how long you should microwave a turkey to ensure it turns out moist and delicious.

Microwave Turkey Cooking Times

Microwave cooking times depend on the weight of your turkey The general rule of thumb is

Cook for 9-10 minutes per pound
Flip the turkey halfway through

So for example, a 12 lb turkey would take about 2 hours in the microwave. Here are some more estimates:

8 lb turkey: 80 minutes total
10 lb turkey: 100 minutes
12 lb turkey: 120 minutes
14 lb turkey: 140 minutes

These times are for unstuffed turkeys cooked at medium power (50%). If stuffing your bird, you may need to add 5-10 minutes to the cooking time. always use a microwave-safe thermometer to check for doneness.

Why Microwaves Cook Turkey Faster

Oven roasting takes upwards of 15 minutes per pound, so why does the microwave speed things up? It comes down to how the different appliances cook:

Ovens use hot, dry air to slowly roast the turkey.
Microwaves generate heat within the turkey, rapidly cooking from the inside out.

Microwaves are able to quickly penetrate deep into the turkey breast, fast-tracking the cooking process. The key is rotating the turkey halfway through so it cooks evenly.

Preparing Turkey for the Microwave

To ensure your microwaved turkey turns out juicy and tender, proper prep is essential:

Choose the right size – Opt for a small 8-14 lb turkey or just cook a breast. Larger birds won’t fit or cook evenly.
Remove giblets – Check the cavity and remove the giblets and neck if included.
Pierce the skin – Poke holes all over to allow steam to escape and prevent splitting.
Brush with oil – Coat the skin with oil to keep the turkey moist and help crisp the skin later.
Season well – Rub salt, pepper and any other spices or herbs under and on top of the skin.
Use a microwave-safe dish – Place turkey in a large, microwave-safe baking dish and tent with foil.

Microwave Turkey Step-by-Step

Once your turkey is prepped, you’re ready to microwave! Follow these simple steps:

Place turkey breast-side down in a microwave-safe baking dish. Tent loosely with foil.
Microwave at 50% power for half the estimated cooking time.
Carefully remove dish, flip turkey breast-side up and tent again with foil.
Microwave at 50% power for the remaining cooking time.
Check temperature by inserting a microwave-safe meat thermometer into the thickest part of the breast. It should read 165°F.
Remove foil tent and continue microwaving if needed to reach 165°F.
Let turkey rest at least 10 minutes before slicing.

The 2-stage cooking and flipping ensures even heating. With the right steps, your microwaved turkey will be perfectly cooked.

Crisping the Skin

One downside to microwave cooking is soggy skin. To crisp things up:

Remove skin before cooking turkey.
Microwave turkey according to recipe.
In the last 5 minutes, place the skin on a plate and microwave separately.
Broil skin until crispy, watching closely to avoid burning.
Slice turkey and serve crispy skin pieces on top.

This method keeps the turkey moist while giving you crispy, crackling skin.

Make Gravy from the Drippings

Don’t throw away the tasty juice left in the baking dish after removing your cooked turkey! Transform it into rich homemade gravy:

Pour drippings into a microwave-safe measuring cup.
Skim off excess fat, reserving 2 tbsp.
In a microwave-safe bowl, whisk 2 tbsp flour into the 2 tbsp reserved fat.
Microwave the flour mixture for 1 minute, stirring every 20 seconds.
Whisk in 1 cup turkey drippings and microwave 2-3 minutes until thickened.
Season gravy with salt, pepper and any other desired spices.

Drippings become a quick, flavorful gravy your microwave turkey deserves.

Moist and Delicious in a Fraction of the Time

While oven roasting may be the traditional cooking method, microwaved turkey delivers tender, juicy results in way less time. With the proper steps and cooking times, you can enjoy a holiday-worthy turkey cooked right in your microwave. Get ready to enjoy the speed, convenience and great taste of microwave turkey this season!

how long do you cook a turkey in the microwave

VERIFY: Yes, you can cook a turkey in the microwave

FAQ

How long does it take to cook turkey meat in the microwave?

Remove turkey from packaging and put it in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover the bowl, and microwave for 4 minutes, or until soft enough to mash with a fork. Add kosher salt (optional). Cover again, and continue to microwave in 1-minute increments until the meat is no longer pink, about 7 minutes.

How long to microwave 1 lb of ground turkey?

It typically takes around 5 minutes per pound of ground turkey to cook in the microwave. To tell when the meat is cooked through, look for evenly pale and cooked-through pieces of meat. You can also test it by piercing a small piece with a fork — it should be tender, hot, and without any pink juices.

How long do you cook a bagged Turkey in the microwave?

Place the bagged turkey onto a microwave safe plate. Place your turkey into the microwave, making sure that it does not touch the top or sides. Cook it on 50 percent power for about 10 minutes per each pound. We used a 12-pound turkey, and it took about two hours to cook.

Can you cook a thawed Turkey in the microwave?

Place a small, thawed, and seasoned turkey into a microwaveable oven bag. Place the whole bag onto a microwave-safe plate. Place the plate into the microwave, ensuring the turkey isn’t touching the sides or top of the microwave. Cook the turkey on 50% power for 7-9 minutes for every pound of turkey.

Can you cook a 25 pound turkey in a microwave?

According to the USDA, it’s one of the many ways you can cook your Thanksgiving bird. Here’s how long it would actually take. First, a 25-pound bird won’t fit in a standard-size microwave. Start with a 12- to 14-pound turkey, and, according to the USDA, plan on cooking it for nine to 10 minutes per pound on medium (50% power).

How do you cook a white meat turkey in the microwave?

Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray a large casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray. Cook the On-Cor Gravy & Sliced White Meat Turkey in the microwave according to package directions. Let stand 1 to 2 minutes before removing with oven mitts from microwave. Remove the turkey from the gravy and slice into bite-size pieces.