Let’s discuss the part of preparing a turkey that we all fear the most: How Long to Cook a Turkey. There’s nothing more nerve-wracking then wondering if you’re going to overcook the bird. I’ve broken every step down for you, meaning you can now begin your turkey takedown with confidence!
Whether you’re preparing a modest 4-pound turkey breast or a whopping 24-pound full bird, I have tips to help you figure out when to thaw, brine, and bake your turkey.
Plus, I’ve included some of my best tips and tricks for knowing when your turkey is done (spoiler alert: you’re definitely going to want one of these bad boys).
Scroll down to view all of the content, or use the Table of Contents box above to skip to the content you need.
Plus, I have a printable how long to cook a turkey in the oven chart with turkey cook times at the end.
Below, you’ll find estimated cook times for unstuffed turkeys (stuffing cooked outside the bird) and stuffed turkeys (stuffing cooked inside the bird).
It’s important to keep a close eye on things throughout the cooking process to make sure everything turns out perfectly.
How Long to Cook an Stuffed Turkey
|
Weight
|
Cook Time
|
Servings
|
|
8 to 12 pounds
|
3 to 3½ hours
|
6 to 9
|
|
12 to 14 pounds
|
3½ to 4 hours
|
9 to 10
|
|
14 to 18 pounds
|
4 to 4¼ hours
|
10 to 13
|
|
18 to 20 pounds
|
4¼ to 4¾ hours
|
13 to 14
|
The Turkey Prep Countdown
So, Thanksgiving is quickly approaching, you know how many guests you’ll be serving, and you’ve purchased your turkey.
Now, it’s time to make a turkey timeline!
Using the reference guides below, you can game plan what steps you’ll need to do and when you’ll need to do them.
When to Brine Your Turkey
- Wet Brine. If you’re using a wet brine, plan on adding it 12 to 24 hours ahead of time.
- Dry Brine. If you’re using a dry brine, plan on adding it 24 to 48 hours ahead of time.
How long do you cook a stuffed turkey per pound at 325 degrees?
FAQ
Do you cook a stuffed turkey at 325 or 350?
How long does it take to cook a 13 lb turkey with stuffing?
Is it better to cook a turkey breast at 325 or 350?
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 do you cook a stuffed turkey?
All cook times are based on placing a whole unstuffed turkey on a rack in a roasting pan and into a preheated 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) oven. Turkey is done at an internal temperature of 165 degrees F (75 degrees C). Allow the turkey to rest for at least 30 minutes before carving and serving.
How long do you cook an unstuffed Turkey?
We recommend roasting turkey at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for13 minutes per pound for an unstuffed turkey. We’ve done the math for you — check out the chart below to determine both turkey cook times and estimated servings (with leftovers!). Follow this chart for turkey cooking times based on the size of your bird.