How Long To Cook Turkey Breast In Convection Oven?

It might seem intimidating or even foolish to fix what is not broken once you have perfected the technique for roasting a golden-brown, crispy-skinned turkey. Unless time is an issue that is. You can roast the same turkey in a convection oven and finish it in a fraction of the time.

Roasting Times and Temperatures

Turkey cooked in a convection oven should be roasted at 325 F. If using a dark roasting pan or oven-roasting bag, reduce the heat to 300 F. The following general roasting times and temperatures are suggested for various-sized stuffed and unstuffed whole turkeys, breasts, and dark meat. Related Articles

You might read that proper internal temperatures should be 180 F for thigh meat, 170 F for breast meat and 165 F for stuffing. However, things have changed. According to The National Turkey Federation, no matter what the weight, the internal temperature of the turkey when an instant-read thermometer is inserted between the thigh and side of the breast without touching bone should now be 165 to 170 F. This remains true for the stuffing as well.

Use the following guidelines to roast a whole stuffed turkey.

6 to 10 pounds – 1 3/4 to 2 1/2 hours

10 to 18 pounds – 2 1/2 to 3 1/4 hours

18 to 22 pounds – 3 1/4 to 3 3/4 hours

22 to 24 pounds – 3 3/4 to 4 1/4 hours

The following roasting times are for unstuffed turkey. A thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast without touching bone should register 165 F, according to the USDA.

6 to 10 pounds – 1 1/2 to 2 hours

10 to 18 pounds – 2 to 2 1/2 hours

18 to 22 pounds – 2 1/2 to 3 hours

22 to 24 pounds – 3 to 3 1/2 hours

Stuffed Whole Turkey Breast

Additionally, the USDA recommends roasting a whole stuffed turkey breast for the weights listed below or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast meat registers 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

3 to 5 1/2 pounds – 1 3/4 to 2 1/2 hours

5 1/5 to 9 pounds – 2 1/2 to 3 1/4 hours

Unstuffed Whole Turkey Breast

Here are the roasting times if you’ve decided to leave the breast unstuffed. The internal temperature should be 165 F.

3 to 5 1/2 pounds – 1 1/2 to 2 hours

5 1/2 to 9 pounds – 2 to 2 1/2 hours

Turkey Legs, Thighs, and Wings

Set your convection oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare the following if your family prefers additional servings of juicy turkey dark meat or wings:

Place in pan and cover. Bake 1 to 1 1/2 hours depending on size.

Uncover and bake another 30 minutes or until the bone moves easily and the temperature on an instant-read thermometer not touching bone registers 165 F.

Convection cooking requires some temperature and time adjustments because food cooks 25% more quickly than in a conventional oven, whether it’s an entire turkey or just one boneless, skinless chicken breast. The answers to these questions can offer additional guidance for precisely timing your turkey while cooking, even though the basic roasting time estimates are good and you should always go by the temperature reading for safety.

What size is the turkey? The larger the turkey, the longer it will need to be cooked.

Are you cooking a whole turkey, a turkey breast or just legs and thighs? White meat cooks more quickly than dark meat, so if you are cooking a breast only, it will take less time to cook the meat to a safe temperature.

Is the turkey stuffed? Stuffed turkeys take longer to cook to bring the stuffing up to a safe serving temperature (165 F) and avoid food poisoning.

How dark is your roasting pan? A darker roasting pan will generally cook food more quickly than a shiny metal pan.

Will you be cooking the turkey in a bag? Cooking turkey in a poultry bag further reduces the cooking time. Check the bag manufacturers instructions for specific cooking times.

How often will you be basting the turkey? Every time you open the oven to baste the turkey, the temperature of the oven drops slightly. If you baste often, this can lead to slightly longer cooking times. Use a turkey thermometer to assure the turkey has been cooked to the right temperature.

Tips for Making the Best Turkey in a Convection Oven

Make your next turkey your best turkey with these tips.

Start with a fully thawed turkey.

If you wish, season the turkey the day before with a dry rub for added flavor.

Let the turkey come to room temperature or at least let it sit out of the refrigerator for a few hours before cooking.

The heated air of a convection oven needs to penetrate the thickest parts of a turkey so dont truss it closed and let the wings fly free. Instead, insert a long skewer between the drumsticks to keep the turkey from toppling over.

Make sure the roasting pan is shallow and place the turkey on a rack so the heated air can easily circulate around the bird.

Remove the turkey from the oven when it reaches about 160 F only if it is unstuffed (stuffing needs to reach 165 F) and allow it to stand for about 20 minutes tented with foil. The turkey will continue to cook bringing it up to the safe temperature of 165 F. This is called carryover cooking. This standing time results in a juicier turkey.

Convection Cooking Speeds Things Up

Cooking a turkey in a convection oven is a terrific way to prepare your next holiday bird. By following the guidelines above and carefully monitoring the temperature of your turkey, youll have a tasty, juicy turkey that cooks more quickly than you ever could have imagined. And if you have a combination convection steam oven, the times are mind-blowingly fast. Related & Popular

FAQ

How many minutes per pound do you cook a turkey in a convection oven?

Take the turkey out of the oven and let it rest uncovered for 30 to 60 minutes. The time required to cook a turkey in CONVECTION ROAST mode will range from 10 to 15 minutes per pound, depending on a number of factors, including its weight and temperature before cooking.

Do you cook a turkey at 325 or 350 convection?

Convection ovens should be set for a lower temperature than a standard oven because they reduce the amount of time that turkey needs to cook. A delicious bird that maintains a moist exterior and reaches an ideal interior temperature of 165°F can be produced at a temperature of 300-325°F.

Is it better to cook a turkey breast in a convection oven or regular oven?

Your food will cook in a convection oven about 25% faster because dry hot air is blowing directly on it. Furthermore, the circulating convection heat prevents “hot spots” in the oven, making the entire space ideal for simultaneously cooking the turkey and side dishes.

How long do you cook a turkey in a convection oven?

In a convection oven, roast the turkey at 325 or 300 degrees. In a convection oven, a 12–15-pound turkey should roast for roughly 3 hours, or 12 minutes per pound, until it reaches an internal temperature of 160°. A quick-read thermometer should be placed between the thigh and the breast.