Cooking a juicy, flavorful turkey is often the centerpiece of holiday meals When tackling a large 15 pound Butterball turkey, proper roasting times are key to perfection Follow this complete guide for tips on thawing, roasting methods, recommended cook times, turkey doneness, and more for your 15 lb bird.
Overview of Cooking a 15 lb Butterball Turkey
A 15 pound turkey is a great size for gathering 8-12 people around the Thanksgiving or Christmas table. When roasting, larger birds require more time than smaller ones. For Butterball turkeys, the general guideline is roasting 13-15 minutes per pound.
- For a 15 lb turkey, this equals 3 to 3 3⁄4 hours of cooking time.
Butterball also provides a handy cooking time chart with specific recommendations for stuffed and unstuffed birds
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Weight</th>
<th>Unstuffed Time</th>
<th>Stuffed Time</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>10-18 lbs.</td>
<td>3-3 1⁄2 hrs.</td>
<td>3 3⁄4-4 1⁄2 hrs.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
For a 15 lb turkey (10-18 lbs range), roast 3 to 3 1⁄2 hours unstuffed or 3 3⁄4 to 4 1⁄2 hours stuffed. Use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness.
Step-by-Step Guide to Roasting a 15 lb Turkey
Follow this simple step-by-step method for roasting turkey perfection:
- Thaw frozen turkey in fridge 1 day per 4-5 lbs.
- Preheat oven to 325°F.
- Prepare turkey by removing giblets, rinsing cavity, patting dry.
- Season with poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Rub seasoning under and on skin.
- Place turkey breast up on roasting rack in pan.
- Insert meat thermometer into thickest thigh area without touching bone.
- For stuffed turkey, spoon stuffing loosely into cavities.
- Roast 3 to 3 1⁄2 hours (unstuffed) or 3 3⁄4 to 4 1⁄2 hours (stuffed).
- Baste turkey with juices every 30 minutes.
- Tent foil over breast at 2⁄3 time to prevent overcooking.
- Cook until 165°F thigh & 170°F breast/stuffing.
- Let rest 15 minutes before carving.
Helpful Turkey Roasting Tips
- Use a V-rack in pan for air circulation and even cooking.
- Make turkey stock from neck and giblets to baste.
- Test temperature early and often to monitor doneness.
- Letting turkey rest allows juices to redistribute.
- Carve turkey by slicing breast then legs and thighs.
Common Roasting Questions
Should I stuff the turkey? For food safety, cook stuffing separately. If stuffing the turkey, ensure center reaches 165°F.
Can I speed up cooking? High heat above 325°F can dry out the turkey. Maintain 325°F.
How do I prevent dry turkey? Baste every 30 minutes. Tent foil to prevent overcooking. Let rest before carving.
What if turkey is pink? Some pink is normal. Use a thermometer for doneness, not color. Cook to 165°F.
Can I roast frozen turkey? Yes. Add 30 minutes per pound to cook time. Roast upside down first hour.
Master the Perfect 15 lb Turkey
Learning proper roast times and temperatures is the key to turkey success. With the right technique, your Butterball turkey will turn out moist, juicy and picture perfect. Enjoy wowing your guests with your holiday centerpiece!
Butterball turkey – 15
15 lb turkey – 9
roast – 6
cooking time – 5
stuffed – 4
meat thermometer – 4
let rest – 3
thaw – 2
baste – 2
breast – 2
carve – 2
Share Your Thoughts…Lastly, if you make Overnight Turkey, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, donât forget to tag me onÂ
Makes: 8-10 servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 hours
Total Time: 10 hours & 20 minutes
- 14-16 pound turkey (see Chef’s Note)
- extra-virgin olive oil
- salt & freshly ground pepper
- poultry spice
- paprika
- garlic powder
- 2 heads of garlic, peeled
- 2 yellow onions, cut in thick slices
- 4 celery stalks, coarsely chopped
- 3 parsnips, peeled and coarsely chopped
- Heavy duty aluminum foil
Preheat oven to 180°F. If oven won’t go that low, set it to its coolest setting; anything up to 200°F is fine. Thoroughly wash turkey inside and out. Pat dry. Rub turkey with olive oil and then sprinkle spices all over it. Season inside as well as outside. Place turkey in a large roasting pan on a rack.
Place garlic, celery, parsnips and onions under the rack. Add enough water to come to the bottom of the rack and not touch the turkey itself. Add the turkey neck, liver and gizzard to the water in the pan.
Cover the pan completely by making a tent of heavy-duty aluminum foil. You must make sure that all the edges of the pan are covered so that the moisture will remain in the pan. This is the only tricky part to cooking a turkey like this.
Cook the turkey for 9 hours. Use a meat thermometer to check the turkey’s internal temperature and make sure the thickest part of the turkey thigh is at 155°F. The turkey will continue to cook so don’t worry that it’s too low. See notes below if the turkey isn’t at 155°F.
Raise the oven temperature to 450°F, remove the foil tent and cook an additional 15-20 minutes until the skin is browned and crispy and the breast is at 160°F and the thigh is 170-175°F.
Remove the turkey from the oven and allow to rest for 20-30 minutes, with the foil loosely covering the turkey. Save the drippings for the Delicious Turkey Gravy.
Carve the turkey and serve!
Chef’s Note:
If you are making a larger turkey, just increase the temperature to 200°F and follow the same instructions. The key is to remove the turkey when it reaches the correct internal temperature of 155°F for the thigh. I tried a 22-pound turkey and it took 10 hours at 200°F.
If, after 10 hours, turkey hasn’t reached 155°F and you need the oven space, increase the temperature to 300°F and check every 15 minutes.
You can leave the turkey in the pan to cool. Cover with foil and then put heavy towels over it if you need to leave it for a while.
Strain the drippings and refrigerate them. Remove the fat layer and use the drippings as a base for your gravy (see Delicious Turkey Gravy recipe).
See additional tips in blog post.
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How to Roast a Turkey – Butterball
FAQ
How long does it take to cook a 15 lb butterball turkey?
| Weight | Cook Time Baked (Thawed) | Cook Time Smoked (Thawed) |
|---|---|---|
| 8-10 lbs. | ¾-1½ hrs. | ¾-1½ hrs. |
| 10-14 lbs. | 1-1½ hrs. | 1-1½ hrs. |
| 14-18 lbs. | 1½-2 hrs. | 1½-2 hrs. |
Do you cook a butterball turkey covered or uncovered?
no lid, it goes in uncovered. An hour or two in, if it’s nicely browned already, and still has a while to cook, tent with a piece of foil draped loosely over the top.
Is it better to cook a turkey at 325 or 350?
-
Crispy skin:Cooking at a slightly higher temperature like 350 degrees can help brown the skin more effectively, creating a crispier texture.
-
Moist meat:While a higher temperature might seem like it could dry out the meat, using a meat thermometer to monitor the internal temperature and ensuring you don’t overcook is key to keeping the turkey juicy regardless of the cooking temperature.
-
Cooking time:Cooking at 325 degrees will typically take longer than cooking at 350 degrees.
How long to cook a 15lb turkey at 325 degrees?
- Unstuffed: A 15-lb unstuffed turkey will likely take about 4 hours to cook.
- Stuffed: A stuffed turkey will take at least 4 hours to cook, and typically takes an extra 15 minutes.
How long to cook a 15 lb Butterball turkey?
In conclusion, cooking a 15 lb Butterball turkey requires approximately 3 to 4 hours at a temperature of 325°F (163°C). However, it’s important to remember that these times and temperatures serve as a general guideline. Always use a meat thermometer to ensure the turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for complete and safe cooking.
How long does it take to cook a 15 pound turkey?
A 15 pound turkey falls within the range of 10-18 pounds. According to Butterball, an unstuffed 15 pound turkey will take 3 to 3 1⁄2 hours to fully cook. If stuffing the turkey, extend the cooking time to 3 3⁄4 to 4 1⁄2 hours. Follow these steps for roasting a juicy 15 pound Butterball turkey: Preheat the oven to 325°F.
Can you cook a Butterball turkey on a grill?
Yes, you can cook a Butterball turkey on a grill by using indirect heat. Ensure the grill temperature remains around 325°F (163°C) and follow the same guidelines for the cooking time. In conclusion, cooking a 15 lb Butterball turkey requires approximately 3 to 4 hours at a temperature of 325°F (163°C).
How long do you cook a 15 lb turkey stuffed?
Cook stuffing to 165°F. Roast turkey uncovered at 325°F, following recommended cook times above. For a 15 lb turkey, this is 3 to 3 1⁄2 hours unstuffed or 3 3⁄4 to 4 1⁄2 hours stuffed. Baste turkey with pan juices every 30 minutes to keep moist.
How long do you cook a Turkey in a crock pot?
Stuff the turkey with your favorite stuffing. Tie the legs together with kitchen twine. Place the turkey in a roasting pan and brush with melted butter. Roast the turkey for 15 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Let the turkey rest for 15 minutes before carving.
How long do you smoke a 15 lb Turkey?
Heat the oil in a large pot to approximately 350°F (177°C). Submerge the turkey carefully and fry for about 3 to 4 minutes per pound. Smoking a turkey imparts a rich, smoky flavor. To smoke a 15 lb turkey: Use a smoker set to 225°F to 250°F (107°C to 121°C). Cook it for about 30 minutes per pound, approximately 7.5 to 8 hours.