Are you planning a Thanksgiving feast or simply craving a delicious roasted turkey breast? Look no further! This comprehensive guide will provide you with all the information you need to perfectly cook a 13-pound turkey breast, ensuring a juicy, flavorful, and satisfying meal.
Key Considerations:
- Cooking Time: The general rule of thumb is to cook a turkey breast for 20 minutes per pound at 375°F. However, several factors can influence the cooking time, including the size and type of turkey breast (bone-in or boneless), oven temperature, and desired level of doneness.
- Internal Temperature: The most accurate way to determine if your turkey breast is cooked through is to use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 165°F in the thickest part of the breast.
- Resting Time: Allow the turkey breast to rest for 15-20 minutes after removing it from the oven. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful bird.
Cooking Time for a 13-Pound Turkey Breast:
- Bone-in Turkey Breast: For a 13-pound bone-in turkey breast, the estimated cooking time is 4 hours and 20 minutes (20 minutes per pound).
- Boneless Turkey Breast: A 13-pound boneless turkey breast will cook faster, with an estimated cooking time of 3 hours and 15 minutes (15 minutes per pound).
Tips for Perfect Roasted Turkey Breast:
- Seasoning: Use a generous amount of salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs and spices to create a flavorful crust.
- Basting: Basting is optional, but it can help keep the turkey breast moist and prevent it from drying out. Use melted butter or olive oil for basting.
- Tenting with Foil: If the turkey breast starts to brown too quickly, loosely tent it with aluminum foil during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Checking for Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature in the thickest part of the breast. The temperature should reach 165°F.
Additional Resources:
- The Stay at Home Chef – Simple Oven Roasted Turkey Breast: This recipe provides detailed instructions on how to roast a turkey breast, including seasoning suggestions and cooking times.
- USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service – Turkey: This website provides valuable information on safe handling and cooking temperatures for turkey.
FAQ
How many hours per pound do you cook a turkey breast?
The solution is straightforward: 20 minutes per pound at 350°F. For instance, I roasted my 3-pound turkey breast at 350°F for a total of 60 minutes. An instant read thermometer can really save your life in these situations if you’re ever unsure whether your bird is finished cooking.
How long does it cook take to cook a 13 pound turkey?
Calculate turkey cooking time and temperature. Calculating 13 minutes per pound at 350°F for an unstuffed turkey is the simplest way to determine how long to roast a 12- to 14-lb.
Do you cook a 13 lb turkey at 325 or 350?
For a 10–13-lb. turkey (weight with giblets): Bake for 1 1/2–2 1/4 hours at 350 degrees. For a 14–23-lb. turkey (weight with giblets): Bake for 2–3 hours at 325 degrees.
How long does it take to cook a 14 lb turkey breast?
In general, a good guideline is 20 minutes per pound of turkey breast at 350°F. Lower temperatures would lengthen your cooking time, and higher temperatures would cause the meat to cook more quickly.