The question is straightforward, but there are so many variables that make answering this a moot point (or, in the words of Joey Tribbiani, a “moo” point). Not only is every turkey a different size (duh), but ovens vary drastically—heck, even the cook times of turkeys that weigh the same can vastly differ due to breed, fat content, breast size, etc. Did you brine it? Truss it? Are you cooking a stuffed turkey? OK, then add a few more minutes to that!
The truth is, no matter how fancy-shmancy a turkey cooking time chart looks, youll only really know when your bird is cooked through if you check its internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer.
“For turkey that is moist and juicy,” writes J. Kenji López-Alt at Serious Eats, “aim for breasts that register 150°F in their deepest section and legs that register at least 165°F.” Ahead, we’re sharing even more tips about how to cook a turkey for Thanksgiving and offer our pro advice on carving a turkey, too.
Cooking a large 30 lb turkey can seem daunting, but following some simple guidelines will ensure it turns out moist, flavorful and picture-perfect With the right techniques and timing, you’ll have a showstopping centerpiece for your holiday table
Choosing and Preparing Your Turkey
- Opt for a fresh or thawed turkey, not frozen. Allow 1 day thawing time per 4-5 lbs.
- Remove giblets and neck from cavities upon thawing. Reserve for gravy or stock.
- Rinse turkey inside and out with cool water and pat dry. This helps crispy up the skin.
- Generously season inside and out with salt, pepper and aromatic herbs like thyme, sage, and rosemary.
Calculating Cook Time
- The general rule of thumb is 15-20 minutes per pound for an unstuffed turkey.
- A 30 lb turkey will therefore need 7.5-10 hours total cook time.
- Reduce time slightly for a stuffed turkey, as the stuffing acts as an insulator.
- Plan for 10-15 minutes resting time before carving.
Helpful Time Chart for 30 lb Turkey
| Turkey Weight | Unstuffed Time | Stuffed Time |
|---|---|---|
| 30 lbs | 9-10 hours | 8-9 hours |
Vital Tips for Roasting Success
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Slow and low is key. Cook at 325°F to allow time for the interior to finish without burning the outside.
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Use a rack in a roasting pan to allow air circulation all around.
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Baste with drippings every 45 minutes to keep the turkey moist.
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Tent with foil if browning too quickly.
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Rotate pan halfway through for even cooking.
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Truss or tie legs together to hold shape.
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Check temp in thickest part of breast and thigh, not just pop-up timer. Breast should hit 165°F, thighs 175°F.
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Let rest 30 minutes before carving for juicier meat.
Making Sure It’s Done
The only way to accurately determine doneness for a 30 lb turkey is using a meat thermometer. Unlike a pop-up timer, it provides precise internal temp readings.
- Insert probe into the deepest, thickest area of the breast, thigh and stuffing without touching bone.
- When breast hits 165°F and thighs reach 175°F, it’s safe to eat.
- If stuffed, stuffing must also get to 165°F. Cook longer if needed.
The USDA recommends letting the turkey rest for 30 minutes before carving. This allows juices to redistribute for more moist, flavorful meat.
Once rested, use a sharp carving knife to remove the legs and wings. Then slice the breast meat across the grain for tender, sliceable pieces. Now you’re ready to serve and impress your guests!
Cooking Times for Smaller Turkeys
While 30 lbs is large, you may be working with a smaller bird. Here are estimated cook times for other common turkey sizes:
| Turkey Weight | Unstuffed Time | Stuffed Time |
|---|---|---|
| 12-14 lbs | 3-3.75 hours | 2.75-3.5 hours |
| 14-18 lbs | 3.75-4.25 hours | 3.5-4 hours |
| 18-20 lbs | 4.25-4.5 hours | 4-4.25 hours |
| 20-24 lbs | 4.5-5 hours | 4.25-4.75 hours |
Handy Temperature Guidelines
For quick reference, keep these USDA recommended minimum internal temperatures in mind:
- Whole turkey: 165°F breast, 175°F thighs
- Turkey breast: 165°F
- Stuffing: 165°F
- Cooked leftovers: 165°F
Reaching these temps destroys any potentially harmful bacteria, ensuring your turkey and trimmings are safe to enjoy.
Make Carving a Breeze
After roasting your 30 lb trophy, follow these easy carving steps:
- Let turkey rest 30 minutes after cooking.
- Remove legs and wings.
- Slice breast meat by making thin slices across the grain.
- Arrange slices neatly on a platter.
- Cut wings/legs into drumsticks and flats if desired.
- Pour pan juices into gravy boat for serving.
Now you can sit back, relax and soak up the compliments! Proper cooking times and temperatures are key to turkey success. Just allow plenty of time for your 30 lb bird, use a trusty meat thermometer and you’ll have a Thanksgiving centerpiece to be proud of.
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How Long to Cook a Turkey
I like to roast my unstuffed, room-temperature turkey at 350°F—and if you must know for how long, its about 13 minutes to 15 minutes per pound. That means, say, a 12-pound turkey should take about 2 1/2 hours to cook. Keep in mind that these times work best for, as mentioned, a thawed turkey that has been brought to room temperature. Trying to cook a partially frozen turkey for Thanksgiving is an entirely different ballgame (though if you find yourself in that unsavory pickle, we do have some tips to get you out of it).
Guess who agrees? Nigella Lawson. Her turkey cook times in the seminal classic, Nigella Christmas, line up with my numbers above (and no ones cooked as many turkeys as she has).
“The cook times here always seem shockingly short to other people,” Lawson writes, “but the truth is weve all been overcooking turkeys for years, and then complaining about how dull and sawdusty they are. If your turkey starts at room temperature, and is untrussed and without stuffing, and your oven thermostat is working correctly, these cooking times hold.”
Ive read horrifying accounts on other sites advising 20 minutes per pound of turkey (!). I can just taste the sawdust of what surely will be a memorable Thanksgiving turkey (but not in a good way).
Again, go by the internal temperature at the thickest part of the bird if you can (150°F at the breast and 165°F at the leg). I personally like to remove the turkey from the oven about 5°F earlier because it will continue to cook as it rests. Before you carve a turkey for Thanksgiving, you should let it rest for at least 15 minutes (and upwards of one hour). This will let it cool ever so slightly so it’s a little bit easier to handle when you go to carve it but more importantly, it will lock in all of the moisture and flavor, lest all the juices come rushing out onto the cutting board.
Should You Cover a Turkey?
And while you may be inclined to use it, ditch the aluminum foil. “But Eric, however will my turkey stay warm if it isn’t covered in aluminum foil?” Fortunately dear reader, after a bird has been roasting in the oven for upwards of two to three hours, it will continue to stay hot even after it’s been resting for half an hour. Plus, wrapping a Thanksgiving turkey in foil will cause it to continue to cook—ahem, overcook—as aluminum is a natural heat conductor. So while yes, it will keep your turkey meat warm, it will also turn it from a moist, juicy masterpiece into sawdust…and thus, all of your hard work will be ruined. What is your favorite way to cook a turkey for Thanksgiving? Share your secrets in the comments below! 52 Days of Thanksgiving 52 Days of Thanksgiving
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How to cook a PERFECT 25 pound Buttered Turkey for Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter!
FAQ
How long does it take to cook a 30 pound turkey?
When you’re ready to roast your turkey, here is what our Test Kitchen and the folks at Butterball suggest for 24- to 30-pound turkeys: 24- to 30-pound turkey cooking time (unstuffed): Cook for 4½ to 5 hours at 325°F. 24- to 30-pound turkey cooking time (stuffed): Cook for 5½ to 6¼ hours at 325°F.
Is it better to cook a turkey at 325 or 350?
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Crispy skin:Cooking at a slightly higher temperature like 350 degrees can help brown the skin more effectively, creating a crispier texture.
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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.
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Cooking time:Cooking at 325 degrees will typically take longer than cooking at 350 degrees.
How long to cook a 30 lb turkey butterball?
| Weight | Cook Time (Unstuffed) | Cook Time (Stuffed) |
|---|---|---|
| 10-18 lbs. | 3-3½ hrs. | 3¾-4½ hrs. |
| 18-22 lbs. | 3½-4 hrs. | 4½-5 hrs. |
| 22-24 lbs. | 4-4½ hrs. | 5-5½ hrs. |
| 24-30 lbs. | 4½-5 hrs. | 5½-6¼ hrs. |
Should I cover my turkey with foil while cooking?
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Prevent dryness:Covering the turkey with foil traps moisture and helps keep the meat juicy, especially the breast which can dry out easily.
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Crisp skin:Remove the foil during the last 30 minutes of cooking to let the skin brown and get crispy.
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Monitor temperature:Check the turkey’s internal temperature regularly to ensure it’s cooked through without overcooking.
How long do you cook a 24 pound turkey?
24- to 30-pound turkey cooking time (unstuffed): Cook for 4½ to 5 hours at 325°F. 24- to 30-pound turkey cooking time (stuffed): Cook for 5½ to 6¼ hours at 325°F. Test Kitchen Tip: Toward the end of the cooking time, your recipe might instruct you to cut the string you’ve used to tie the drumsticks together and remove the foil covering the breast.
How long does it take to cook a Turkey at 300?
Cooking at 300°F is considered a low and slow method, resulting in exceptionally tender meat but requiring more time: For an 18-pound unstuffed turkey: 18 pounds × 20 minutes = 360 minutes (6 hours minimum cooking time) How long to cook a turkey at 275? The 275°F cooking temperature is an ultra-low and slow method:
Can you cook a 30 pound turkey?
Cooking a 30 pound Turkey is a little different than cooking a 15-20 pound turkey! Thirty pounds of turkey is a much larger bird, it serves up to 30 people, and you can’t cook it the same as a 20-pound turkey! First, you’ll need to find a big enough shallow roasting pan like this one.
How long do you cook an unstuffed Turkey?
Cook time depends on the size of the turkey, and if there is stuffing in it. Unstuffed turkey takes less time to cook fully. Roast an unstuffed bird, 30 pound of turkey, for 5 -6 hours till the meat thermometer inserted in the deepest meat reaches 165°F degrees.
How long to cook a stuffed 30 pound turkey?
Cook a stuffed 30-pound turkey for 6 – 61/2 hours till the meat thermometer inserted in deepest meat reaches 165° F. Roasting a fresh turkey saves you so much time in defrosting! you are roasting a fresh turkey, you can skip the 8 days of defrosting needed for frozen turkeys.
Can a 30 pound turkey be cooked in a double oven?
Even when they are cooked to over 165°F inside. A regular oven or standard 30-inch convection oven will be a really tight fit for a 30-pound turkey. You cannot roast a 30-pound turkey in a double oven, it’s too small. Obviously, a bigger oven is ideal for such a big turkey.