On Thanksgiving Day, there can be a fierce competition for oven space as people bake their own pies, reheat their favorite holiday casseroles, and brown the dinner rolls. You need a detailed plan to make the perfect feast. You need to know exactly when the stuffing will go in and the mac and cheese will come out. And then theres the true hog of the oven: the ever-important roasted turkey. Not only does it require lots of space to roast to juicy perfection, it requires plenty of time. But just how much time?.
The turkey is the most important part of a Thanksgiving meal, no matter how good the sides are or how pretty the dessert table is. What else is there to say? Turkey Day is all about the bird! That’s why it’s important to know how to thaw a turkey, season it, and cook it for the right amount of time. Use this guide and there will be no guessing games on Thanksgiving Day. To determine the cook time, start with the size of the bird and whether or not its stuffed. For people who like brined turkey, you might want to add an extra day. The Pioneer Woman does this. ).
The best thing you can do on Thanksgiving Day is plan ahead. This guide will help you make sure you have enough time to cook your turkey, whether you want to stick to the traditional roasted turkey or try something new this year, like Ree Drummonds’ fancy bacon-wrapped bird! And no matter what, do like the pros and factor in resting time for your bird. It’s best to let the turkey rest for at least an hour after cooking so that the juices can redistribute and make the meat as juicy as possible.
Roasting a big 20lb turkey is the showstopper centerpiece of festive meals like Thanksgiving and Christmas. But a bird that size requires careful calculations to ensure it cooks through fully while staying tender and juicy. Figuring out the right amount of cook time can seem daunting. Read on for a detailed guide on how long you need to allot for a 20lb turkey at 350°F oven temperature.
Overview of Cooking a Large Turkey
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The general guideline is around 15 minutes per pound at 350°F oven temperature.
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So for a 20lb turkey, that equals approximately 5 hours of cook time
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Key is maintaining a steady 350°F temperature and monitoring with a meat thermometer
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Letting the turkey rest before carving is also essential.
Estimated Time Needed
For a 20lb turkey in a 350°F oven, you can expect the total estimated cook time to be:
- 5 to 5 1/4 hours
The calculation is roughly 15 minutes per pound.
So at 20lbs, that equals 300 minutes total or 5 hours. Adding a buffer of 15-30 extra minutes is wise in case your particular turkey cooks slower.
Ensuring Proper Internal Temperature
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Cook until the thigh meat reaches 165°F minimum internal temperature.
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Breast meat should reach 155°F minimum.
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Use an instant read thermometer to check temperature in the innermost part of the thigh and breast.
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Don’t let the thermometer touch any bones when taking the temperature.
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If undercooked, continue roasting and check temperature again in 15 minute increments.
Key Tips for Success
Follow these tips:
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Allow turkey to sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours before roasting for more even cooking.
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Pat the turkey dry thoroughly inside and out with paper towels before seasoning or rubbing.
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Use a low-sided roasting pan that is 2-3 inches larger than the turkey.
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Place turkey breast side up on a roasting rack in the pan so air circulates.
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Baste occasionally with pan drippings to prevent drying out.
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Tent turkey with foil if skin browns too quickly or looks like it might burn.
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Let turkey rest 20-30 minutes before carving to allow juices to redistribute.
How Long Does it Take to Cook a Turkey Per Pound?
The general guideline is to calculate 15 minutes per pound for cooking turkey at 350°F.
So for example:
- 10 lb turkey: Allow 2 1/4 hours
- 12 lb turkey: Allow 2 3/4 hours
- 15 lb turkey: Allow 3 3/4 hours
- 18 lb turkey: Allow 4 1/2 hours
- 20 lb turkey: Allow 5 to 5 1/4 hours
Always factor in extra time as a buffer just in case. And confirm doneness by temperature, not cook time.
What if You Need to Cook Faster or Slower?
You can adjust the temperature up or down slightly if you need to increase or decrease the total cooking time.
For a faster cook time, try:
- 375°F – Will decrease cook time about 5-10%
- 400°F – Will decrease cook time about 15-20%
For a slower cook time, try:
- 325°F – Will increase cook time about 10-15%
- 300°F – Will increase cook time about 25-30%
Just keep in mind that slower cooking yields more tender, juicy meat while faster cooking can dry out the turkey.
Letting the Turkey Rest
Letting the cooked turkey rest before carving is absolutely vital. The resting time allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.
Resting also completes the cooking process – the internal temperature will rise another 5-10°F during resting time.
Let the 20lb turkey rest for minimum 20-30 minutes before carving. Tent loosely with foil to keep warm.
Get Ready for Leftovers!
A 20lb bird will deliver lots of delicious leftovers. Have containers ready for storing carved meat safely in the fridge.
Get creative with leftovers too – soup, sandwiches, casseroles and more!
With proper thawing, seasoning, temperature monitoring and resting, you’ll enjoy juicy, tender results from your 20lb turkey cooked for around 5 hours at 350°F.
Do you cook a turkey longer if it is stuffed?
Yes, a stuffed turkey takes longer to cook than an unstuffed bird. An instant read thermometer must read at least 165 degrees in the middle of the stuffing to make sure it’s cooked all the way through. A turkey that isn’t stuffed must also reach 165 degrees, but the thermometer probe should be put into the deepest part of the thigh, being careful not to touch the bone, so that the reading is correct.
Our advice? Cook the stuffing separately in a baking dish. This keeps things from getting dirty and is also the only way to make sure the stuffing turns golden and slightly crisp on top. Of course, the holidays are all about keeping family traditions alive, so it’s up to you if you stuff your bird or not.
How long per pound do I cook my turkey?
How long the turkey needs to roast depends on how big it is and whether it’s stuffed or not. As a general rule, roast your turkey for 15 to 20 minutes per pound. However, to make sure the bird doesn’t get too rare or too done, a thermometer reading is the best way to go. The suggested cooking times below are for a turkey thats roasted at 325 degrees.
8 to 12 pounds: 2 3/4 to 3 hours
12 to 14 pounds: 3 to 3 3/4 hours
14 to 18 pounds: 3 3/4 to 4 1/4 hours
18 to 20 pounds: 4 1/4 to 4 1/2 hours
20 to 24 pounds 4 1/2 to 5 hours
8 to 12 pounds: 3 to 3 1/2 hours
12 to 14 pounds: 3 1/2 to 4 hours
14 to 18 pounds: 4 to 4 1/4 hours
18 to 20 pounds: 4 1/4 to 4 3/4 hours
20 to 24 pounds 4 3/4 to 5 1/4 hours
Exactly How Long to Cook a 20-Pound Turkey at 350 Degrees Fahrenheit
FAQ
Is it better to cook a turkey at 325 or 350?
How long to cook a 20 pound unstuffed turkey?
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Weight
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Cook Time
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Servings
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12 to 14 pounds
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3 to 3¾ hours
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8 to 9
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14 to 18 pounds
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3¾ to 4¼ hours
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9 to 12
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18 to 20 pounds
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4¼ to 4½ hours
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12 to 13
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20 to 24 pounds
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4½ to 5 hours
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13 to 16
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Is it better to cook a turkey covered or uncovered?