Turkey Cooking Times
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Using the recommended time and temperature guidelines will ensure that the meat is cooked to the minimum safe internal temperature, which is critical in preventing food-borne illness that can be caused by undercooked turkey. Using an accurate meat thermometer is the best way to ensure the proper doneness of turkey meat. Use the following chart as a turkey cooking time and temperature guide for whole turkeys and turkey parts that are oven baked or roasted, grilled, or are inserted into an oven bag prior to cooking the turkey. See the article "Turkey Doneness" for additional information on determining the proper doneness of meat. See the "Turkey Guide" for many valuable turkey cooking tips. |
TURKEY Cooking Times and Temperatures | |||
Turkey Oven Roasted at 325°F | |||
| Type | Weight | Approximate Cooking Time | |
| Unstuffed | Stuffed | ||
| Turkey (whole) | 8 - 12 lbs. | 2 3/4 - 3 hours | 3 - 3 1/2 hours |
| Turkey (whole) | 12 - 14 lbs. | 3 - 3 3/4 hours | 3 1/2 - 4 hours |
| Turkey (whole) | 14 - 18 lbs. | 3 3/4 - 4 1/4 hours | 4 - 4 1/4 hours |
| Turkey (whole) |
18 - 20 lbs. | 4 1/4 - 4 1/2 hours | 4 1/4 - 4 3/4 hours |
| Turkey (whole) | 20 - 24 lbs. | 4 1/2 - 5 hours | 4 3/4 - 5 1/2 hours |
| Breast (half) | 2 - 3 lbs. | 50 - 60 minutes |  |
| Breast (whole) | 4 - 6 lbs. | 1 1/2 - 1 1/4 hours | |
| Breast (whole) | 6 - 8 lbs. | 2 1/4 - 3 1/4 hours | |
| Drumsticks | 3/4 - 1 lb. | 2 - 2 1/4 hours | |
| Thighs | 3/4 - 1 lb. | 1 3/4 - 2 hours | |
| Wings | 6 - 8 oz. | 1 3/4 - 2 1/4 hours | |
| Note: Start with turkey at refrigerator temperature. Remove the turkey from the oven when the meat thermometer reads 175°- 180°F; the temperature will continue to rise as the turkey stands. | |||
Grilled Turkey | |||
| Type | Weight | Approximate Cooking Time (internal temperature 180°F) | |
| Unstuffed | Stuffed | ||
| Whole turkey (indirect heat) | 8 - 12 lbs. | 2 - 3 hours | |
| Whole turkey (indirect heat) | 12 - 16 lbs. | 3 - 4 hours | |
| Note: When grilling with Indirect Heat generally the coals (or burners on a gas grill) are heated to a high heat. When grilling with Direct Heat the coals (or burners on a gas grill) are heated to a medium heat. Use these heat settings unless you have a recipe that states something different. See how to test the grill temperature. | |||
Turkey Cooked at 350°F in an Oven Bag | ||||
| Type | Total Weight | Approximate Cooking Time | ||
| Regular-Size Oven Bag 10" x 16" |
Large-Size Oven Bag 14" x 20" |
Turkey-Size Oven Bag 19" x 23 1/2" | ||
| Whole turkey (unstuffed) | 8 - 12 lbs. | |
1 1/2 - 2 hours | |
| Whole turkey (unstuffed) | 12 - 16 lbs. | |
2 - 2 1/2 hours | |
| Whole turkey (unstuffed) | 16 - 20 lbs. | 2 1/2 - 3 hours | ||
| Whole turkey (unstuffed) | 20 - 24 lbs. | 3 - 3 1/2 hours | ||
| Whole turkey (stuffed) | 8 - 12 lbs. | 2 - 2 1/2 hours | | |
| Whole turkey (stuffed) | 12 - 16 lbs. | |
2 1/2 - 3 hours | |
| Whole turkey (stuffed) | 16 - 20 lbs. | 3 - 3 1/2 hours | ||
| Whole turkey (stuffed) | 20 - 24 lbs. | 3 1/2 - 4 hours | ||
| Turkey breast (bone-in) | 4 - 8 lbs. | 1 1/4 - 2 hours | | |
| Turkey breast (bone-in) | 10 - 12 lbs. | |
2 1/4 - 2 3/4 hours | |
| Turkey breast (boneless) | 2 1/2 - 3 lbs. | 1 1/4 - 1 3/4 hours | | |
| Turkey breast (boneless) | 5 lbs. | |
2 - 2 1/4 hours | |
| Turkey breast (boneless) | 8 - 12 lbs. | |
3 - 3 1/2 hours | |
| Turkey drumsticks | 1 1/2 - 2 lbs. | 1 1/2 - 1 3/4 hours | | |
| Turkey drumsticks | 2 - 3 lbs. | |
1 1/2 - 1 3/4 hours | |
| Oven Bag Instructions: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Add 1 tablespoon flour to the oven bag and distribute evenly on the inside of the bag prior to inserting the turkey. Brush the turkey with vegetable oil or butter. Remove the turkey from the oven when the meat thermometer reaches 175°- 180°F. If using a turkey-size oven bag for a turkey smaller than 12 lbs., gather the oven bag loosely around the meat allowing room for heat circulation; then close the bag with a nylon tie, and cut away any excess oven bag. | ||||
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