Use our turkey cooking time calculator to make sure your turkey stays moist and juicy, without being under-cooked.
This calculator is weight based and works for stuffed and unstuffed whole turkeys, turkey crowns, and boned and rolled turkeys.
Deboning a turkey before roasting allows for faster cooking times and easier carving. But determining just how long to cook a boneless turkey can be tricky. Undercook it and you risk food safety issues. Cook it too long and the meat dries out.
Follow this guide for tips on cook times, recommended temperatures, and techniques for flawless deboned turkey every time
Overview of Cook Times for Deboned Turkey
Cooking times vary based on the size of the deboned turkey. Here are general guidelines:
- 10-12 lb turkey: Cook for 2 to 2 1/2 hours at 325°F
- 12-14 lb turkey: Cook for 2 1/2 to 3 hours at 325°F
- 14-16 lb turkey: Cook for 3 to 3 1/2 hours at 325°F
- 16-18 lb turkey: Cook for 3 1/2 to 4 hours at 325°F
- 20-22 lb turkey: Cook for 4 to 5 hours at 325°F
Always use a meat thermometer to confirm the turkey reaches 165°F at the thickest part of the breast before removing from the oven.
Key Factors That Impact Cook Time
Several elements affect total roasting time for deboned turkey
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Weight – Heavier birds take longer. Figure roughly 15-20 minutes per pound.
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Shape – Trussing helps maintain uniform thickness for even cooking.
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Temperature – Higher heat cooks faster but risks drying out meat.
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Stuffing – Adding stuffing increases overall cook time.
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Brining – Brined turkey may cook slightly faster than unbrined.
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Doneness – Cook longer if you prefer very well done turkey.
Step-by-Step Guide for Roasting Deboned Turkey
Follow these simple steps for perfect deboned turkey:
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Prep – Rinse turkey, pat dry, and truss into uniform shape.
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Season – Rub turkey all over with oil or butter first to help seasonings adhere. Then coat with spices, herbs, salt, and pepper.
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Roast – Place turkey breast-side up on a roasting rack in a pan. Roast at 325°F, basting occasionally, until 165°F.
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Rest – Let turkey rest at least 15 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute.
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Carve and Serve – Carve turkey into pieces and arrange on a platter. Spoon over pan juices to moisten.
Vital Tips for Cooking Deboned Turkey
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Truss tightly with twine to maintain shape and prevent drying out.
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Use a rack so turkey isn’t sitting in juices, causing soggy skin.
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Baste every 30 minutes with broth or pan drippings for added moisture and flavor.
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Tent with foil if skin browns too quickly before meat is fully cooked.
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Let rest for 15-20 minutes before carving so juices absorb back into meat.
How Deboning Affects Flavor
Some worry removing the bone ruins flavor. However, testers found little discernible taste difference between bone-in and deboned turkeys when properly seasoned and cooked.
Focus on building flavor through:
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Herb rubs and spice blends under and on skin
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Aromatic vegetables and broth in the cavity
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Basting with flavorful liquids during roasting
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Serving pan juices for moistening cooked meat
This keeps deboned turkey tender and full of flavor.
Deboning Methods for Whole Turkey
There are two main techniques for removing bones from a whole turkey:
Butterfly Cut: Slice along one side of the backbone, open the turkey like a book, then cut along the breastbone and ribs.
Full Debone: Carefully scrape and cut meat away from the bones without separations in the skin. Slower but gives a nicer presentation.
Work slowly when deboning and be careful not to tear the skin. Watch video tutorials to learn proper techniques before attempting it yourself.
Can You Stuff a Deboned Turkey?
Since the cavity remains intact after deboning, it is possible to stuff a boneless turkey. However, it’s not recommended for optimal cooking.
Stuffing makes it harder for heat to penetrate and cook the meat evenly. It also increases overall cook time. For best results, cook stuffing separately.
Answers to Common Deboned Turkey Questions
How long per pound for deboned turkey?
Figure around 15-20 minutes per pound at 325°F for deboned turkey.
What temperature for boneless turkey?
Cook to an internal temp of 165°F measured at the thickest part of the breast.
Can you roast deboned turkey overnight?
It’s not recommended. Lengthy slow cooking dries out the meat. Roast during day at standard oven temps instead.
Can I grill a deboned turkey?
Yes, butterflied turkey works well for grilling. Use indirect heat and monitor temp closely.
Can I roast deboned turkey ahead of time?
You can roast up to 2 days ahead. Slice meat and store properly before reheating thoroughly later.
The Takeaway
Allow 15-20 minutes per pound when roasting deboned turkey at 325°F. Monitor temperature and avoid overcooking for deliciously moist results. With the bone removed, carving and serving your flavorful turkey is a breeze.
How to tell if the turkey is done
To prevent Salmonella and Campylobacter food poisoning always check the turkey is cooked thoroughly before serving. If you have used our turkey cooking time calculator to find out the cooking time for your turkey, remember, even if your oven is at the right temperature, you may need extra cooking time if:
- You have lots of other items in the oven,
- You are opening and closing the oven door often, or
- Your oven is less efficient than average.
The best way to check that your turkey is fully cooked is to use a meat thermometer. The turkey is ready when the temperature of the thickest part of the thigh reaches 75°C instantly – as soon as it is inserted. If you have stuffed the cavity of the turkey, then the centre of the stuffing should also read 75°C.
If you dont have a meat thermometer, pierce the thickest part of the breast meat (between the leg and breast) with a clean fork or skewer and check that you can answer yes to these 3 questions:
- Are the juices running clear?
- Is there no pink meat?
- Is the turkey piping hot all the way through?
If the turkey is stuffed, check that the stuffing itself is piping hot all the way through to the centre.
Fresh or frozen turkey?
A fresh turkey needs to be cooked within two days of buying it, so bring it home as close to Christmas as possible.
If you have a frozen turkey, it’s important to make sure it’s completely thawed before cooking it.
- The safest way to defrost a frozen turkey is in the fridge. It will take 24 hours of defrosting for every 4–5 pounds (1.8 – 2.3 kg), so if you are cooking a large turkey, it can take up to 3 days to defrost.
- Place the turkey in a deep pan to catch any juices. Then put it on the bottom shelf of the fridge covered and away from other foods to prevent cross-contamination.
- Before cooking, check the turkey for ice crystals, especially in the cavity, using a fork or skewer. If parts are still frozen, the turkey will not cook evenly, posing a food safety risk.
How to Cook a Boneless Whole Turkey | Food Wishes
FAQ
How long to cook a whole deboned turkey?
Bake roast for approximately 30 minutes per pound, until internal temperature registers at 150-155 degrees. Start checking after 75 minutes.Oct 24, 2022
How long do you cook a boneless turkey for?
… joint, but as a guide it is a good idea to allow 20 minutes per Kg, plus 70 minutes if the bird or joint is under 4Kg, or plus 90 minutes if it is over 4Kg …
How long does it take to cook a boned and rolled turkey?
4. Preheat the oven to 190˚C/375˚F/Gas Mark 5. 5. Roast the turkey until a meat thermometer reads 150˚F for approximately 2 1/2 hours.Dec 15, 2024
Do you cook a boneless turkey breast at 325 or 350?
The best oven temperature to cook a turkey breast is 350°. An oven temp of 325° can be used, but it will take longer, and the skin will not be as crisp. 375° is too high–you will cook the skin rapidly and need to tent it with aluminum foil near the end of cooking to prevent over-browning.
How long does a deboned turkey take to cook?
If you cook a 15-pound turkey according to this recipe, it should be done after a little under two hours in the oven. Of course, you’ll need to use your instant read thermometer to measure the temperature before serving. The internal temperature should be at least 165 degrees F. Does a Deboned Turkey Cook Faster? Yes!
How do you cook a deboned turkey breast?
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Lay deboned turkey, skin-side down, on the cutting board and even out the meat as much as possible. Slice through the thicker areas of breast meat as needed and rearrange over thinner parts to create an even thickness of meat all over. Season turkey with salt and black pepper.
What temperature should a deboned turkey be cooked at?
The minimum safe internal temp for turkey is 165°F. Several factors can alter the roasting time for a deboned turkey: Turkey weight – Heavier birds take longer to cook through. Stuffing – Adding stuffing increases overall cooking time. Oven temperature – Higher heat cooks faster, lower heat needs more time.
How long does it take to cook a 16 pound turkey?
This moist turkey isnt dependent on a heavy gravy to give it flavor or to make it moist. We find that even the breast meat is always tender and succulent. Our 16 ½-pound turkey cooked in about 1.5 hours, compared to 4 hours or longer for a whole turkey to reach an internal temperature of 165° F. And we have another little time-saving secret.
What do you need to cook a deboned turkey?
Here’s what you’ll need to cook a deboned turkey: · Turkey: You’ll need one 15-pound whole turkey with the neck, giblets, and bones removed (see the recipe footnotes to learn how to debone a turkey). · Seasonings: This whole deboned turkey is simply seasoned with salt and pepper.
How long does it take to cook a Turkey in the oven?
Roast turkey in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) and continue to roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the turkey reads 155 degrees F (68 degrees C), about 1 1/2 hours. Remove from the oven and transfer turkey to a platter. Remove and discard twine.