Turkey Cooking Times

The proper turkey cooking times and the correct turkey cooking temperature are extremely important when cooking turkey. The optimum flavor and tenderness of turkey can be consistently achieved when care is taken to follow the recommended turkey cooking time and temperature guidelines. This will also 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 325Â°F
Type	Weight	Approximate Cooking Time
Type	Weight	Unstuffed	Stuffed
Turkey (whole) Turkey (whole) Turkey (whole) Turkey (whole) Turkey (whole)	8 - 12 lbs. 12 - 14 lbs. 14 - 18 lbs. 18 - 20 lbs. 20 - 24 lbs.	2 3/4 - 3 hours 3 - 3 3/4 hours 3 3/4 - 4 1/4 hours 4 1/4 - 4 1/2 hours 4 1/2 - 5 hours	3 - 3 1/2 hours 3 1/2 - 4 hours 4 - 4 1/4 hours 4 1/4 - 4 3/4 hours 4 3/4 - 5 1/2 hours
Breast (half) Breast (whole) Breast (whole)	2 - 3 lbs. 4 - 6 lbs. 6 - 8 lbs.	50 - 60 minutes 1 1/2 - 1 1/4 hours 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 175Â°- 180Â°F; the temperature will continue to rise as the turkey stands.

Grilled Turkey
Type	Weight	Approximate Cooking Time (internal temperature 180Â°F)
		Unstuffed	Stuffed
Whole turkey (indirect heat) Whole turkey (indirect heat)	8 - 12 lbs. 12 - 16 lbs.	2 - 3 hours 3 - 4 hours

Turkey Cooked at 350Â°F in an Oven Bag
Type	Total Weight	Approximate Cooking Time
Type	Total Weight	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) Whole turkey (unstuffed) Whole turkey (unstuffed) Whole turkey (unstuffed)	8 - 12 lbs. 12 - 16 lbs. 16 - 20 lbs. 20 - 24 lbs.		1 1/2 - 2 hours	2 - 2 1/2 hours 2 1/2 - 3 hours 3 - 3 1/2 hours
Whole turkey (stuffed) Whole turkey (stuffed) Whole turkey (stuffed) Whole turkey (stuffed)	8 - 12 lbs. 12 - 16 lbs. 16 - 20 lbs. 20 - 24 lbs.		2 - 2 1/2 hours	2 1/2 - 3 hours 3 - 3 1/2 hours 3 1/2 - 4 hours
Turkey breast (bone-in) Turkey breast (bone-in)	4 - 8 lbs. 10 - 12 lbs.		1 1/4 - 2 hours	2 1/4 - 2 3/4 hours
Turkey breast (boneless) Turkey breast (boneless) Turkey breast (boneless)	2 1/2 - 3 lbs. 5 lbs. 8 - 12 lbs.	1 1/4 - 1 3/4 hours	2 - 2 1/4 hours	3 - 3 1/2 hours
Turkey drumsticks Turkey drumsticks	1 1/2 - 2 lbs. 2 - 3 lbs.	1 1/2 - 1 3/4 hours	1 1/2 - 1 3/4 hours
Oven Bag Instructions: Preheat the oven to 350Â°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 175Â°- 180Â°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.