How Long to Cook a Whole Turkey: A Look at Turkey Cook Time and Temperature
Whether you're cooking your first Thanksgiving dinner or trying to put on an impressive Christmas feast, roasting a whole turkey can seem a bit intimidating. We recommend starting with an easy traditional turkey recipe that's likely to come out well even if you make a few minor mistakes. Make sure that your turkey is thawed before you begin, and make sure to remove the giblets from the cavity. Then, equip yourself with a little knowledge about the best time and temperature to cook your turkey at and you'll be ready to create a meal to remember!
Turkey Cook Time Calculator
How Long to Cook a Thawed Turkey at 325°F
| Weight | Cook Time |
|---|---|
| 8 lb. | 2 hours 45 minutes |
| 9 lb. | 3 hours |
| 10 lb. | 3 hours 15 minutes |
| 11 lb. | 3 hours 30 minutes |
| 12 lb. | 3 hours 45 minutes |
| 13 lb. | 4 hours |
| 14 lb. | 4 hours |
| 15 lb. | 4 hours 15 minutes |
| 16 lb. | 4 hours 30 minutes |
| 17 lb. | 4 hours 45 minutes |
| 18 lb. | 4 hours 45 minutes |
| 19 lb. | 5 hours |
| 20 lb. | 5 hours 15 minutes |
| 21 lb. | 5 hours 30 minutes |
| 22 lb. | 5 hours 30 minutes |
| 23 lb. | 5 hours 45 minutes |
| 24 lb. | 6 hours |
| 25 lb. | 6 hours |
Turkey Cook Time per Pound
The general rule of thumb is to cook a turkey for 15 minutes per pound at 325°. If you're using a higher or lower oven temperature, the cook time per pound will vary accordingly.
Less Than 10 Pounds
Cook your turkey at 325°F between 2 hours and 45 minutes and 3 hours.
10 Pounds
Cook your 10 lb. turkey at 325°F for about 3 hours and 15 minutes.
15 Pounds
Cook your 15 lb. turkey at 325°F for about 4 hours and 15 minutes.
20 Pounds
Cook your 20 lb. turkey at 325°F for about 5 hours and 15 minutes.
25 Pounds
Cook your 25 lb. turkey at 325°F for about 6 hours.
How Long to Cook a Turkey Breast per Pound
If you're just cooking a turkey breast, rather than the whole bird, you'll need to cook it for about 20 to 25 minutes per pound at 325°.
Turkey Cook Time per Kilogram
If you're working with metric measurements, you'll want to cook your turkey for 40 to 45 minutes per kilogram in a 160°C oven.
4 Kilograms
Cook your 4 kg. turkey at 325°F/160°C for about 3 hours.
4.5 Kilograms
Cook your 4.5 kg. turkey at 325°F/160°C for about 3 hours and 15 minutes.
6 Kilograms
Cook your 6 kg. turkey at 325°F/160°C for about 4 hours.
6.6 Kilograms
Cook your 6.6 kg. turkey at 325°F/160°C for about 4 hours and 8 minutes.
11 Kilograms
Cook your 11 kg. turkey at 325°F/160°C for about 6 hours.
Turkey Roasting Times by Type of Oven
How Long to Roast a Whole Turkey in a Standard Oven
When using a standard oven to make a whole roasted turkey, the cooking time will be between 3 and 6 hours at 325°, depending on the size of the turkey.
How Long to Cook a Whole Turkey in a Convection Oven
If you're roasting a turkey at 325° in a convection oven, it will only take between 1.5 and 2 hours for an average-sized bird. Convection ovens are extremely efficient for cooking turkeys due to their ability to evenly circulate heat, so cooking times are generally much shorter than if you were using a standard oven.
Turkey Cook Time by Oven Temperature
180°F
When cooking at 180°F, you'll want to allow for about one hour of cooking time per pound.
200°F
When cooking at 200°F, you'll want to allow for about 40 to 50 minutes of cooking time per pound.
225°F
When cooking at 225°F, you'll want to allow for about 30 minutes of cooking time per pound.
275°F
When cooking at 275°F, you'll want to allow for about 20 to 25 minutes of cooking time per pound.
300°F
When cooking at 300°F, you'll want to allow for about 15 to 18 minutes of cooking time per pound.
325°F
When cooking at 325°F, you'll want to allow for about 15 minutes of cooking time per pound.
350°F
When cooking at 350°F, you'll want to allow for about 13 minutes of cooking time per pound.
375°F
When cooking at 375°F, you'll want to allow for about 12 minutes of cooking time per pound.
400°F
When cooking at 400°F, you'll want to allow for about 10 to 12 minutes of cooking time per pound.
500°F
It's recommended to only cook a turkey at 500°F for the first 30 minutes, then reduce the heat to about 325 to 350°F for the remaining time. Cooking at 500°F for the entire time will likely dry out the turkey.
It's important to note that all of these cooking times are estimates. You should always use a meat thermometer to check your turkey's internal temperature to ensure that it's safe to eat. If it's not, don't worry about giving it a few extra minutes of cooking time.
What's the Difference in Cook Time for a Stuffed Turkey vs. an Unstuffed Turkey?
A stuffed turkey takes longer to cook than an unstuffed turkey, since the heat of the oven can only penetrate the outside of the bird. You'll also need to make sure that the center of the stuffing is cooked to a safe temperature as well as the meat.
Cooking Times for Unstuffed Turkey at 325 Degrees
| Weight | Cook Time |
|---|---|
| 8 to 12 lb. | 2.75 to 3 hr. |
| 12 to 14 lb. | 3 to 3.75 hr. |
| 14 to 18 lb. | 3.75 to 4.25 hr. |
| 18 to 20 lb. | 4.25 to 4.5 hr. |
| 20 to 24 lb. | 4.5 to 5 hr. |
Cooking Times for Stuffed Turkey at 325 Degrees
| Weight | Cook Time |
|---|---|
| 8 to 12 lb. | 3 to 3.5 hr. |
| 12 to 14 lb. | 3.5 to 4 hr. |
| 14 to 18 lb. | 4 to 4.25 hr. |
| 18 to 20 lb. | 4.25 to 4.75 hr. |
| 20 to 24 lb. | 4.75 to 5.25 hr. |
How Long to Cook a Whole Turkey in an Oven Bag at 350°F
| Unstuffed | Stuffed | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | Time | Weight | Time |
| 10 to 12 lb. | 1.5 to 2 hr. | 10 to 12 lb. | 2 to 2.5 hr. |
| 12 to 16 lb. | 2 to 2.25 hr. | 12 to 16 lb. | 2.5 to 2.75 hr. |
| 16 to 20 lb. | 2.25 to 2.5 hr. | 16 to 20 lb. | 2.75 to 3 hr. |
| 20 to 24 lb. | 2.5 to 3 hr. | 20 to 24 lb. | 3 to 3.5 hr. |
What Is the Perfect Internal Temperature for a Whole Turkey?
Turkey should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F or higher. Always remember that when you bake a turkey, how long it cooks may vary, but the internal temperature must always be at least 165°.
How Do You Check the Internal Temperature of a Whole Turkey?
The best way to measure the internal temperature of a turkey is to use a meat thermometer. Locate the thickest part of the thigh, then insert the thermometer, being careful not to let it touch the bone. This will give you the most accurate measurement, but you should make sure to also check the breast and stuffing as well.