Roasting a turkey in your convection oven is about 25% faster than in a traditional oven. Here are cooking times to get it perfect every time.
If you already know how to roast a turkey until the skin is golden brown and crispy, it might seem pointless to try to fix something that isn’t broken. Unless time is an issue, that is. It will take you a lot less time to roast that turkey if you have a convection oven. With a few tried-and-true turkey roasting tips, youll have your Thanksgiving bird dressed and ready in no time.
Cooking the perfect turkey can be tricky business. There are many factors to consider from thawing, to seasoning, to roasting. One key decision is what temperature to cook the turkey at for optimal juiciness and doneness. This choice gets even more complicated when using a convection oven. Should you cook a turkey at the same temperature as a regular oven or adjust it? Let’s compare baking a turkey at 325°F vs 350°F in a convection oven.
How Does a Convection Oven Work?
Before diving into temperatures, it helps to understand what makes a convection oven different. A convection oven has a built-in fan that circulates hot air around the cavity during cooking. This circulating hot air provides more even heating, which means foods cook faster. Items brown more evenly as well.
The improved air flow also removes some of the hotter air from around the food, resulting in slightly lower max temperatures Many convection ovens have a temperature conversion button that automatically lowers the set temp by 25°F Food cooked at 325°F in a convection oven experiences conditions similar to 350°F in a regular oven.
Convection Turkey Cooking Temperature
Taking into account the way a convection oven cooks, most recipes recommend cooking turkeys 25-50°F lower than you would in a regular oven. Here are the standard temperature guidelines:
Regular Oven Cook turkey at 325°F for optimal even cooking.
Convection Oven: Cook turkey at 300°F when using the convection setting. You may also see recipes calling for anywhere from 275°F to 325°F.
So in most cases, you should input a temp that’s 25-50°F lower to achieve similar results as a 325°F regular oven. The circulating fan will speed up cooking so the turkey doesn’t need as high heat to reach doneness safely.
Comparing 325°F vs. 350°F Convection Cooking
Let’s compare how cooking your turkey at 325°F vs. 350°F could impact the results when using a convection oven:
325°F Convection
- Cooks more gently and evenly, preventing drying out.
- Requires slightly longer roasting time due to lower temp.
- Skin may brown slightly lighter.
- Breast meat remains juicy.
- Legs and thighs cook through fully.
350°F Convection
- Cooks faster due to higher heat.
- Increased risk of drying out breast meat.
- Skin browns more deeply.
- Legs and thighs likely cook quicker.
- Requires closer monitoring of breast temp.
As you can see, the lower 325°F convection temperature provides the most benefit for roasting a whole turkey. The more gentle heat distributes evenly for thorough, uniform doneness without parching. It gives you a larger window of error as well.
The higher 350°F convection temp speeds cooking, but makes it harder to prevent overcooking. The breast meat is most at risk drying out before the legs finish. You’ll need to closely track the breast temp and potentially cover it while the legs finish.
Convection Cooking Tips
To achieve turkey perfection in your convection oven, here are some helpful tips:
- Use the lowest rack position so the turkey is centered for even circulation.
- Lower the temp 25-50°F from your usual oven temp. 325°F is ideal.
- Cook to an internal temp of 165°F measured at the thickest part of the breast.
- Tent foil over the breast if it browns too quickly while the thighs finish cooking.
- Let rest 20-30 minutes before carving for juicy results.
With the right temperature and some convection oven best practices, you’ll end up with a tender, juicy turkey with golden crispy skin. For optimal flavor and texture, convection roast your turkey at 325°F.
Convection Roasting Time
So how long should you expect your turkey to take at 325°F in a convection oven? Cook times will vary based on the size of your turkey, but here are some general guidelines:
- 8-12 lb turkey: 2 1⁄2 – 3 hours
- 12-14 lb turkey: 3 – 3 1⁄2 hours
- 14-18 lb turkey: 3 1⁄2 – 4 hours
- 18-20 lb turkey: 4 – 4 1⁄2 hours
- 20-24 lb turkey: 4 1⁄2 – 5 hours
Plan for approximately 13-15 minutes per pound at 325°F. Use a meat thermometer to confirm the turkey reaches an internal temp of 165°F in the thickest part of the breast and thighs.
For best results, do not rely solely on cook times but always check temperature. Let your convection oven and meat thermometer be your guide for perfectly cooked turkey!
Give it a Try
The next time your holiday meal depends on a beautifully roasted turkey, give the lower 325°F convection temperature a shot. With the built-in fan circulating heat gently and evenly, you can sit back and relax knowing dinner will turn out moist and delicious. Just keep an eye on the estimated cook times and use your thermometer for assurance.
Once you try it, the convection oven may just become your new go-to for cooking the perfect turkey! Crispy browned skin, tender and juicy meat, arrives at the table picture perfect. Your taste buds and family will thank you.
Turkey Legs, Thighs, and Wings
Why cook the whole bird when you can just cook the parts you like? If your family wants extra dark meat or wings, preheat your convection oven to 325°F and cook them as follows:
- Place in pan and cover. Bake 1 to 1½ hours depending on size.
- Take off the lid and bake for another 30 minutes, or until the bone is soft and a digital thermometer that is not touching the bone reads 165°F.
It takes some time and temperature adjustments when cooking with convection because a convection oven cooks 55% faster than a regular oven. This is true whether you’re cooking a whole turkey or a boneless, skinless chicken breast. While the basic roasting time estimates are good, and for safety’s sake, you should always go by the temperature reading, the answers to these questions can help you cook your turkey at the right time.
- Size of the turkey? The bigger the turkey, the longer it needs to cook.
- White meat cooks faster than dark meat, so if you are only cooking a breast, it will take less time to get the meat to a safe temperature.
- Why does it take longer to cook a stuffed turkey to 165°F? This is to make sure the stuffing is safe to eat and avoid food poisoning.
- What color is your roasting pan? The food will cook faster in a darker pan than in a shiny metal pan.
- Are you going to cook the turkey in a bag? Turkey cooked in a poultry bag takes even less time to cook. Check the bag manufacturers instructions for specific cooking times.
- How often are you going to baste the turkey? The oven temperature drops a little every time you open it to baste the turkey. If you baste a lot, the food may take a little longer to cook. Make sure the turkey is cooked to the right temperature with a meat thermometer.
Read More
Unstuffed Whole Turkey Breast
If you choose not to stuff the breast, you will keep the temperature the same and decrease the roasting time by 45 minutes. Always use your meat thermometer to double check your turkey for safe consumption. You dont need a Thanksgiving disaster on your hands.
- 3 to 5½ pounds – 1½ to 2 hours
- 5½ to 9 pounds – 2 to 2½ hours
How long to cook a turkey at 325 in a convection oven?
FAQ
How long to cook a turkey at 325 in a convection oven?
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Minutes/lb.
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Oven Temp
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Whole Turkey
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Unstuffed (10-15 lbs.)
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8-11 min./lb
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325
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Unstuffed (over 15 lbs.)
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7-10 min/lb.
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325
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Turkey Breast
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Is it better to cook a turkey at 325 or 350?
Is 325 convection the same as 350 bake?
How long does it take to cook a Turkey in a convection oven?
It typically takes between 1 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours for a turkey breast to roast at 325 F in a convection oven. Your convection oven turkey breast is safe to eat when the meat has reached an internal temperature of 165 F. How do you cook a Turkey in a convection oven? Use a low sided sheet pan with a rack.
Can you cook a turkey breast in a convection oven?
All three types of ovens can be used to roast a delicious, moist turkey as long as the temperature of the turkey is carefully monitored. So, although a convection oven will cook faster, even a bake oven will work if the turkey is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165 degrees. Is it better to cook a turkey breast at 325 or 350?
How many people can roast a Turkey in a convection oven?
After roasting, a serving is about 8 ounces per person. For example, a 20 pound bird should be enough to serve 15 guests. Learning how to prepare and roast a turkey with a convection oven is very simple: Preheat the oven to 325°F on convection setting. Pat the skin dry. This allows the butter to adhere to the surface.
Is convection roasting a Turkey a good idea?
Convection roasting is a great way to cook a turkey because it cooks the turkey evenly and quickly. Here are some tips and tricks for convection roasting a turkey: * Start with a fresh turkey. The best way to ensure that your turkey is cooked evenly and juicy is to start with a fresh turkey.
Can you cook a thawed Turkey in a convection oven?
Start with a fully thawed turkey. See USDA’s tips on safely thawing your turkey. There is no need to baste the turkey when using a convection oven because the blowing heat sears the turkey quickly, which locks in the juices. If a special sauce or marinade is used, baste the turkey during the last hour of cooking.
How long do you cook a Turkey at 325 degrees?
* Place the turkey in a roasting pan and brush it with oil. This will help to keep the turkey moist while it cooks. * Cook the turkey for 15 minutes per pound at 325 degrees Fahrenheit. However, you may need to adjust the cooking time up or down depending on the factors listed above. * Let the turkey rest for at least 15 minutes before carving.