Cooking Times for a 22 lb Stuffed Turkey

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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.

Roasting a whole stuffed turkey is a Thanksgiving tradition in many households. Getting the cooking time just right for a large bird can seem daunting. You want the meat cooked through without drying out, the skin to be crispy and browned, and the stuffing piping hot.

So how long should you cook a 22 lb turkey stuffed with dressing? Let’s take a look at timing guidelines, techniques, and tips to roast a perfect stuffed turkey every time.

Key Factors that Impact Cooking Time

Several factors impact how long it takes to roast a stuffed turkey

Weight – Heavier birds take longer Calculate 20-25 minutes per pound
Stuffing – A stuffed bird takes longer than an unstuffed one
Temperature – Lower oven temps (325°F) result in juicier meat.
Defrosting – A fully defrosted turkey cooks more quickly.
Appliances – Conventional ovens take longer than convection.
Ingredients – Brining, rubs, and barding affect time.
Doneness – Cook until the thighs reach 175°F for safety.

Consider all these elements as you determine the roasting time for your 22 lb stuffed turkey.

Recommended Roast Times

For a stuffed 22 lb turkey in a 325°F conventional oven, the estimated roasting time is about 5 to 5 1/2 hours total. Here are more detailed time estimates:

20-25 minutes per pound = 440-550 minutes (7 – 9 hours)
Adjust for stuffing = 8 1/2 – 10 hours
Adjust for 325°F oven = 5 – 5 1/2 hours

Always rely on a meat thermometer over cook times for doneness. But these estimates provide a good starting point.

Step-by-Step Roasting Method

Follow these steps for roasting stuffed turkey success:

Pat the turkey dry and coat with oil, salt, and pepper. Stuff the cavity just before roasting.
Place turkey on a rack in a roasting pan breast-side up. Tent with foil.
Roast at 325°F, calculating 20-25 minutes per pound. For a 22 lb turkey, this is 5 to 5 1/2 hours.
Check temperature after about 4 hours. Final target temp is 165°F in stuffing, 170°F in breast, 175°F in thighs.
Once temperature is reached, tent with foil and let rest 20-30 minutes before carving.

Monitor throughout and remove stuffing halfway through if needed for even cooking. Resting before carving allows juices to redistribute.

Handy Timechart

For quick reference, here are estimated roasting times for stuffed turkeys:

Weight	Cook Time
12 to 14 pounds	31⁄2 to 4 hours
14 to 18 pounds	4 to 41⁄4 hours
18 to 20 pounds	41⁄4 to 43⁄4 hours
20 to 24 pounds	43⁄4 to 51⁄4 hours

Double check doneness with a meat thermometer for food safety and perfect results.

Roasting Tips

Brining or salting the turkey keeps it moist and well-seasoned.
Barding with bacon over the breast prevents drying out.
Rubbing butter under and over the skin promotes browning.
Tenting with foil limits air flow and evaporation.
Basting with pan juices keeps the turkey moisturized.
Aromatics in the cavity add flavor – try onion, apple, herbs.
Letting the cooked bird rest allows juices to redistribute.

With the right timing, temperature, and technique, you can roast a delicious 22 lb stuffed turkey for your holiday feast. Estimate 5 to 5 1/2 hours in a 325°F oven. Rely on thermometers over cook times for perfection. With practice, you’ll become a stuffed turkey pro. Gobble, gobble!

how long does it take to cook a 22 lb turkey stuffed

When to Put Water in the Turkey Roasting Pan

If you are adding vegetables to the bottom of the roasting pan (they will help flavor your gravy), then add 1/2 cup water to prevent them from scorching. You can substitute 1/2 cup dry white wine for extra flavor. If you are sans veggies, you can skip putting liquid in your roasting pan.

How Long to Cook a Stuffed Turkey

If youre determined to stuff the turkey, youll want to leave it in the oven at 325°F for 20-25 minutes per pound. Well also recommend covering the turkey (especially the wings and drumsticks) with a loose tent of aluminum foil about halfway through cooking, to keep them from drying out or burning.

Again, check that thermometer as well as your recipe and cooking instructions—and make sure the stuffing also gets to 165°F as well, so you dont have undercooked turkey juices in there.

How long does it take to cook a 22 pound stuffed turkey in a bag?

FAQ

Should you cook a turkey at 325 or 350?

For a 10–13-lb. turkey (weight with giblets): Bake in a 350° oven for 1 1/2–2 1/4 hr. For a 14–23-lb. turkey (weight with giblets): Bake in a 325° oven for 2–3 hr.

What temperature should a 22 pound turkey be when done?

Check for Doneness A meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast and thigh will determine doneness. When it reaches a USDA-recommended internal temperature of 165°F, it’s done. You can remove the turkey from the oven at 155°F and let the temperature rise as it rests.

How long to cook a stuffed turkey per pound calculator?

Fresh or Thawed Turkey Oven Temperature 325°F / 163°C

WEIGHT	COOK TIME UNSTUFFED	COOK TIME STUFFED
6 – 7 lbs	2 – 2½ hrs	2¼ – 2¾ hrs
7 – 10 lbs	2½ – 3 hrs	2¾ – 3½ hrs
10 – 18 lbs	3 – 3½ hrs	3¾ – 4½ hrs
18 – 22 lbs	3½ – 4 hrs	4½ – 5 hrs

How long to bring a 22 pound turkey to room temperature?

Before it goes in the oven, the turkey should be at room temperature, so take it out of the fridge (1 hr for a whole turkey, or 30 mins for a cut) before cooking. Keep it covered in a cool place.

How long does a stuffed turkey take to cook?

A stuffed turkey cooks at a rate of 15 minutes per pound in a 350ºF oven. At this rate, a 6-pound turkey will take 90 minutes (or 1 1/2 hours). A 15-pound turkey will take 225 minutes (or 3 hours and 45 minutes). Be sure to check that both the stuffing and the turkey reach an internal temperature of at least 165°F to prevent food-borne illness.

How long does it take to cook a 6 pound turkey?

At this rate, a 6-pound turkey will take 78 minutes (or 1 hour and 18 minutes). A 15-pound turkey will take 195 minutes (or 3 hours and 15 minutes). We generally prefer to cook stuffing separately from the turkey, but if you decide to cook it inside, know that a stuffed turkey will take a little bit longer to cook through than an unstuffed turkey.

What temperature should turkey stuffing be cooked at?

Again, do a temperature test to be sure the turkey is done. The center of the stuffing should hit 165°F. Whether you cook up a Classic Roast Turkey, Maple Sage Turkey, Honey Roast Turkey, or the recipe that your family has passed down for generations, using these timings as your guide will help you put a turkey on the table that you’re proud of.

How long do you cook a Thanksgiving turkey at room temperature?

In one of our favorite Thanksgiving turkey recipes, the post-brine pieces sit at room temperature for 2 hours before roasting at 425° for 20–25 minutes, then 300° for 50–70 minutes longer.