

Once you’ve roasted the turkey and let it rest, it’s time to carve the big bird! Watch our video on how to carve a turkey for carving tips. Turkey Cooking TimesĬredit: Butterball Turkey How to Carve a Turkey Let the turkey sit for 15 to 20 minutes before carving to allow the juices to be reabsorbed by the meat. 160° to 165☏ (70° to 74☌) in the center of the stuffing (if the turkey is stuffed).170° to 175☏ (77° to 80☌) in the thickest part of the breast, just above the rib bones.180° to 185☏ (82° to 85☌) deep in the thigh also, juices should be clear, not pink, when the thigh muscle is pierced deeply.The turkey is cooked when it reaches the following internal temperatures: Use your instant-read thermometer to test for peak flavor and moistness. Use the roasting schedule below as a guideline, and start checking for doneness 1/2 hour before the recommended time ends. Image: Roasting pan with rack for turkey. See the cooking times below for an idea of how long your bird will take to roast, and start checking your meat thermometer until it’s done cooking.
Turkey roasting timetable skin#

You’ll need a good roasting pan with a rack the pan should be heavy enough so it does not bend. You'll also need to allow time for the turkey to rest before carving.ADVERTISEMENT How to Cook a Turkey: Cooking Tipsīefore you start roasting the big bird, make sure you have the right equipment.

I've included a timetable for you further down in the post. I allow about 15 minutes to slather on the butter and sprinkle on the seasonings.Ĭooking time, of course, varies according to the total weight of the turkey. Having it at room temp will help it cook more evenly and faster. After it's thawed, keep it in your fridge until you're ready to cook.Ībout 1 ½ hours before you start cooking, take the turkey out of the fridge to bring it to room temperature. If you're starting with a frozen turkey, you'll need to thaw it in its original packaging in the refrigerator allowing at least 24 hours for every 4 pounds. Let's go over those times together, shall we?
Turkey roasting timetable plus#
I generally plan out any necessary thawing time, plus time to bring the turkey to room temperature before cooking, plus time to prep, and time to cook and rest. It does take a little effort to get the timing right, so I find that making a plan the week before is really helpful. This simple method works just as well whether your turkey is fresh or frozen.

If you can roast a chicken, you can cook a turkey! Don't be intimidated by the thought of cooking something as large as a turkey.
