Is it better to cook a turkey at 325 or 350?

Roast the turkey uncovered at a temperature ranging from 325°F to 350°F. Higher temperatures may cause the meat to dry out, but this is preferable to temperatures that are too low which may not allow the interior of the turkey to cook to a safe temperature.

How many hours does it take to cook an 18 lb stuffed turkey?

For 10- to 12-pound turkey, roast 3¼ hours to 3½ hours. For 12- to 14-pound turkey, roast 3½ to 4 hours. For 14- to 18-pound turkey, roast 4 to 4¼ hours. For 18- to 20-pound turkey, roast 4¼ to 4¾ hours.

How long does it take to cook a 18 lb Butterball turkey?

For an unstuffed turkey, Butterball recommended:
  1. 6-10 pounds: 1½ -2 hours.
  2. 10-18 pounds: 2-2½ hours.
  3. 18-22 pounds: 2½-3 hours.
  4. 22-24 pounds: 3-3½ hours.

How do you know when a 18 pound turkey is done?

The only true test for doneness is the temperature of the meat, not the color of the skin. Turkey is done when the thigh meat reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F (75 degrees C). To get an accurate reading, be sure that your thermometer is not touching the bone.

How long do you cook an 18 lb stuffed turkey at 325 degrees?

A stuffed turkey takes longer to cook than an unstuffed turkey. Assuming you are roasting your turkey in a 325°F oven, plan on 15 to 17 minutes of cooking time for each pound of an unstuffed turkey. Plan on 20 to 22 minutes per pound for a stuffed turkey.

How long do you cook a turkey at 375?

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  1. Preparing the bird – Heat oven to 375 degrees. …
  2. Cooking the bird – Estimate 12-15 minutes per pound for stuffed turkeys. …
  3. Testing for doneness – You can either test by checking the temperature or checking the color of the juices. …
  4. Finishing off – Remove bird from the oven.

How long do I cook a 17 lb turkey?

Calculate turkey cooking time and temperature. The simplest way to figure out turkey roasting times is to calculate 13 minutes per pound at 350°F for an unstuffed turkey (that’s about 3 hours for a 12- to 14-lb. turkey), or 15 minutes per pound for a stuffed turkey.

Can turkey be pink in the middle?

Turkey can remain pink even after cooking to a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F. The meat of smoked turkey is always pink.

Can you trust turkey pop up?

Unfortunately, the answer is no. These pop-up timers are actually inaccurate. There’s a reason that turkey has a reputation for being dry, and it’s because of these timers. … Or even worse, they could rise too early and your turkey could be underdone, putting you and your guests at the risk of food poisoning.

How many people will a 19 pound turkey feed?

For turkeys smaller than 16 pounds, estimate 1 pound per serving (this accounts for bone weight). For larger birds, a bit less is fine; they have a higher meat-to-bone ratio. But if your goal is to have ample leftovers, aim for 1½ pounds per person whatever the turkey’s size. For 8 people, buy a 12-pound turkey.

How long do you cook a 19 lb turkey?

In an oven set to 325 degrees Fahrenheit, cooking an 18- to 20-pound unstuffed thawed or fresh turkey will take between 4 1/4 and 4 1/2 hours, according to the USDA. This amounts to about 14 minutes of cooking time per pound. For a 19-pound turkey, this comes to about four hours and 26 minutes.

Is turkey done at 165 or 180?

While some recipes state that turkey should be cooked to 180 degrees Fahrenheit, the meat is safe to consume once it reaches the 165-degree mark. Cooking the breasts past 165 can result in dry meat, but the dark meat can be cooked to 180.

How long do I need to thaw a 20 pound turkey?

Using the guide of one day for every 3½ to 4 pounds of weight, here’s how many days to thaw a turkey.
  1. 3 to 4 pounds: 1 day.
  2. 4 to 8 pounds: 2 days.
  3. 8 to 12 pounds: 3 days.
  4. 12 to 16 pounds: 4 days.
  5. 16 to 20 pounds: 5 days.
  6. 20 to 24 pounds: 6 days.

How long should a 20lb turkey cook?

Cooking time will vary. For example, a 20 pound turkey will take 4 1/4 to 5 hours to cook, check the temperature on the thermometer after 4 1/4 hours.

How long do you need to thaw a turkey?

Here’s the calculation: plan on 24 hours of fridge thawing for every 5 pounds of frozen turkey (for example: budget 4 full days of thawing in the fridge for a 20-pound turkey). Keep the turkey wrapped, and occasionally check to see if the baking sheet or roasting pan needs to be drained.

Can you leave a turkey out to thaw overnight?

You shouldn’t. turkey, which, if left out, will take hours to thaw completely. … If you thaw raw meat at room temperature for two hours or more, it will be subject to rapid bacteria growth.

Can you thaw a turkey in water and then put it in the fridge?

It is safe to cook turkey thawed in cold water then put back in the fridge.

When should I take turkey out of fridge?

Your turkey will cook more evenly and faster if you start it out at room temperature so remove the turkey from the refrigerator 1 hour before roasting. If you plan to stuff your turkey, wait until you’re ready to put it in the oven before putting the stuffing in the turkey.

Should you wash your turkey?

According to a study by the food safety experts at the USDA, washing or rinsing raw turkey can put you at risk of foodborne illness. There’s only one time you should wash a raw turkey, and that is after brining. Otherwise, do not wash a turkey before cooking.

Do you take turkey out of wrapper to thaw?

Remove all outside wrapping and place the turkey on a microwave-safe dish to catch any juices that may leak. Use the defrost function based on weight. As a general rule, allow 6 minutes per pound when thawing a turkey in the microwave. Be sure to rotate it several times, and even flip it, during the thawing process.

What temperature should a turkey thaw at?

Turkey-Thawing Times

Thaw time in the fridge requires about 24 hours for every 5 pounds in a refrigerator set at about 40 degrees F (5 degrees C). Thaw time in cold water requires about 30 minutes per pound in cold water, refreshed every 30 minutes.