Every year around the last few weeks of November and into December, people ask me, “How Long To Cook A Turkey?” because no one likes a dry turkey! Keep reading to find out the right cooking times and how to tell when your turkey is done.
Every Thanksgiving and Christmas, the turkey is the main dish. There’s nothing worse than spending hours preparing and cooking a turkey that turns out dry or overcooked because you didn’t know how long to cook it for!
Here are the cooking times for all the different ways you can cook a turkey. If I missed one, let me know in the comments, and I’ll add it!
Cooking a turkey can be intimidating, especially if you want it to turn out moist and flavorful. One of the most common questions around the holidays is how long to cook a turkey at 300 degrees. The cooking time depends on a variety of factors, including the size and stuffing. With some simple tips, you can cook a delicious 300 degree turkey with crispy skin and lots of juicy meat.
Overview of Cooking a Turkey at 300 Degrees
Cooking a turkey at a lower temperature like 300 degrees Fahrenheit helps the meat stay tender and juicy. The more moderate heat allows the turkey to cook slowly and evenly throughout without drying out the breast meat. 300 degrees also renders out fat from the skin crisping it up.
Compared to higher temperatures like 350 or 400 degrees F, cooking a turkey at 300 degrees does take longer But the trade-off is worth it for better moisture.
Cooking times can vary considerably based on the size of your turkey. Smaller birds may only take 2-3 hours, while large 20+ pound turkeys can take over 4 hours to fully cook.
Always use a meat thermometer to check doneness rather than relying on cook times alone. The thighs and breasts should register 165 degrees F when done.
Detailed Cooking Times for 300 Degree Turkey
Here are more detailed turkey cooking times for roasting at 300 degrees Fahrenheit:
- 8-12 pound turkey – 2 to 2 3/4 hours
- 12-14 pound turkey – 2 3/4 to 3 hours
- 14-18 pound turkey – 3 to 3 3/4 hours
- 18-20 pound turkey – 3 3/4 to 4 hours
- 20-24 pound turkey – 4 to 4 1/2 hours
- 24-30 pound turkey – 4 1/2 to 5 1/4 hours
These times are for an unstuffed turkey roasted in the oven at 300 degrees F.
If you are cooking a stuffed turkey, plan on adding about 30 minutes to 1 hour to the total cooking time. The stuffing takes longer to come to temperature since it is insulated inside the turkey cavity.
A convection oven may cook a turkey slightly faster at 300 degrees, reducing the times by about 30 minutes. Monitor the temperature and adjust accordingly.
Always let the turkey rest for 15-30 minutes once it reaches the target internal temperature before carving. This allows the juices to reabsorb into the meat.
Tips for a Moist, Tender 300 Degree Turkey
Follow these tips for a foolproof juicy turkey cooked at 300 degrees:
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Brine the bird – Soaking the turkey in a saltwater brine solution helps season the meat and keeps it incredibly moist. Brine for 12-24 hours in the fridge.
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Pat turkey dry – Drain any excess brine or rinses and pat the skin very dry before roasting. This helps the skin get crispy.
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Rub with butter – Coat the skin liberally in melted butter or oil. F frequent bastings under the skin during cooking.
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Use a rack – Place the turkey on a rack in the roasting pan so air circulates underneath. The rack prevents steaming.
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Cook to 165oF – Check temperature in the thickest part of the breast and thigh with a meat thermometer. Cook to 165oF.
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Let rest before carving – Wait 15-30 minutes after removing turkey from the oven before slicing to allow juices to absorb.
How Long Does It Take to Cook a Turkey Per Pound at 300°F?
The general rule of thumb for cooking an unstuffed turkey is to allot about 15-20 minutes per pound at 300 degrees F.
So for example, a 12-pound turkey would take roughly 3-4 hours to cook based on 12 lbs x 15-20 minutes per lb.
Here is a more detailed turkey cook time per pound at 300 degrees:
- 12-14 lb turkey = 15-17 minutes per lb
- 14-18 lb turkey = 16-18 minutes per lb
- 18-20 lb turkey = 18-20 minutes per lb
- 20-24 lb turkey = 18-20 minutes per lb
- 24-30 lb turkey = 19-22 minutes per lb
Always verify doneness with a thermometer rather than just relying on the minutes per pound, as oven temperatures can vary.
For a stuffed turkey, add additional time since the cavity stuffing takes longer to heat – plan on 20-25 minutes per pound for a stuffed 300 degree turkey.
Monitor the temperature of both turkey and stuffing and once both register 165oF, the turkey is ready.
How to Tell When Your 300 Degree Turkey is Done
To tell if your 300 degree turkey is fully cooked, you’ll need an instant read thermometer. Check the temperature in a couple spots:
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Insert into the thickest part of the thigh without touching the bone. Thighs should reach 165oF.
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Insert into the thickest section of the breast. Breasts should also read 165oF.
The turkey is safe to eat once all areas register at least 165oF. If taking the temperature in multiple places, make sure to sanitize the thermometer between each check.
Visually, the juices should run clear when you pierce the turkey and the meat will start to pull away from the bones when it is thoroughly cooked.
Let the fully cooked turkey rest for 15-30 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute and makes for easier, cleaner slicing.
Enjoy your tender, juicy 300 degree turkey! Proper cooking times and temperature monitoring helps ensure perfect doneness.
How Long To Cook A Turkey In A Bag
Cooking turkey in an oven bag is one of the most fool-proof ways to roast a whole turkey. It seals in the moisture, so even if you overcook it a bit, it still stays relatively moist. It’s not quite as crispy on the outside when cooked in a bag as when roasted in an open oven for example. Moist turkey vs. Crispy Skin? Your call!.
How To Tell If Your Turkey Is Perfectly Cooked
As I already said, the safest and best way to tell if your turkey is really cooked is to check the meat’s internal temperature. This is done with a meat thermometer. You can use a lot of different kinds of thermometers. Here are a few to think about:
- Oven-Safe Leave-In Thermometer: This kind of thermometer can be put into the turkey before putting it in the oven and left there while it cooks. They’re cheap, but you have to open the oven to check the temperature, which lets heat escape. See an example here.
- Instant Read Thermometer: These are great because they do exactly what they say they will do: read the temperature right away! Just open the oven door and put the thermometer in the turkey. Almost right away, the temperature will show up on the screen. See an example here.
- Leave-In Probe Thermometer: Probe thermometers are my favorite tool for cooking a turkey! They come with one or two probes that are connected to a wire that can go in the oven and a digital box where you can read the temperature. The box stays out of the oven, making it easy to read, and you can even set alarms to go off when the turkey is at the right temperature! 2 probe thermometers are great for cooking a stuffed turkey because you can check the temperature of both the meat and the stuffing. See an example here.
How long do you cook a turkey at 300 degrees?
FAQ
Can you cook a turkey at 300 degrees?
How long to cook turkey at 275 degrees?
Is it better to cook a turkey at 325 or 250?
What is the best temperature to bake a turkey?
How long do you cook a Turkey at 350 degrees?
We recommend roasting turkey at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 13 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!). Is it okay to cook a turkey at 250 degrees?
How long do you cook a 20 pound turkey?
Preheat your oven to 300°F. Wash the turkey thoroughly and remove the giblets, neck, and tail. Rub the turkey all over with salad oil. Place the turkey in an uncovered roasting pan and bake for 1 hour at 300°F. This initial step helps kill bacteria. Reduce the oven temperature to 180°F. Continue baking for 20 hours per 20-pound turkey.
How long does it take to cook a whole turkey?
A whole turkey can take anywhere from 1½–4+ hours to roast —the cooking time depends on the size of your turkey and the temperature of your oven. We’ve got two roasting methods for you to choose from—one for beginners and one that’s slightly more advanced. Don’t want to cook a whole turkey?
Is it safe to cook a Turkey at 300 degrees?
Yes, it is safe to cook a turkey at 300 degrees as long as it reaches a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit to kill any harmful bacteria. 2. How long does it take to cook a turkey at 300 degrees?
How long do you cook a Thanksgiving turkey at room temperature?
In one of our favorite Thanksgiving turkey recipes, the post-brine pieces sit at room temperature for 2 hours before roasting at 425° for 20–25 minutes, then 300° for 50–70 minutes longer.
What temperature should a Turkey be roasted at?
While 300 degrees F is ideal, you can successfully roast turkey at other oven temperatures. Here’s a general guide: Higher heats will shorten cook time but may result in drier meat. Lower heats will extend cook time but keep turkey more moist. Follow these tips for foolproof turkey roasted at 300 degrees F: