Its Thanksgiving day, youre staring at the oven, and wondering what temperature to cook the turkey. Is it better to cook it at 325 degrees or 350 degrees? The Internet has all different answers but how do you know which is the right number? Roast the bird at too high a temp and it might emerge burned and drier than Aunt Barbs stuffing. But if the oven temp is too low, you risk having flabby skin and raw poultry. Either culinary calamity would have Gordon Ramsay yelling at you into Black Friday.
Even if your guests arent shouty star chefs, you still dont want to disappoint them with a subpar turkey. Its the main character for the holiday feast and you cant afford to muck it up. Some sources say to start the oven at a high temperature, like 425°F then lower the temp later on. Others have different temps for stuffed, unstuffed and birds of different weights. However, after decades of testing, we found the one Goldilocks temperature for turkey is 375℉. It’s not too hot, not too cold and cooks quickly enough to ensure that a bird is juuust right by dinnertime. If youre wondering what temperature to cook a stuffed turkey, its the same number: 375℉. What temperature do you cook a 16-pound turkey? 375℉. How about one thats 20 pounds? Take a guess. If you said 375℉, bingo!
To make your life easier (on a day when so much is going on), the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen experts assembled a handy chart that tells you how long to cook a turkey per pound for all different weights. We also have timings for cooking the bird stuffed vs. unstuffed as well as for turkey breast. If your turkey is still frozen on Thanksgiving day, we have a solution for that common dilemma, too.
There are a few other pre-roasting preparations to factor into your timing: thawing your bird if its frozen and seasoning your turkey with a flavor-boosting dry brine. Before you put that main course in the oven, make sure your kitchen is equipped with the right tools. While a timer is helpful to keep track of the hours, the real hero for roasting is a great meat thermometer, which will register the internal temperature for perfect results every time. Studies have shown that you cant rely on the pop-up timer that comes with some turkeys — they sometimes pop before the meat inside reaches a safe temperature for consumption!
The one and only answer you need is 375°F. Below are cooking times for an unstuffed turkey by pre-stuffed weight at this temperature:
Baking a turkey breast in the oven can yield incredibly moist, tender and delicious meat when done right. But nailing the perfect cook time can be tricky. Follow these tips and oven roasting guidelines to learn just how long to bake a turkey breast at 375°F for ideal doneness.
Why 375°F is the Best Turkey Roasting Temperature
When it comes to determining the optimal oven temperature for baking a turkey breast, 375°F really is the goldilocks zone It’s high enough to cook the breast at a moderate pace to avoid overdrying, but not so high that the exterior dries out before the interior cooks through.
Many recipes call for roasting turkey between 325°F and 350°F But at those lower heats, cook times can get extremely long, causing the breast meat to lose moisture. And if you go much higher, say 400°F or above, the outside of the breast is likely to burn before the inside reaches the safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F
So 375°F strikes that perfect balance between quick cooking without drying out the delicate breast meat. It’s fast enough to get dinner on the table at a reasonable time while still allowing the flavors to develop fully as the turkey breast gently roasts in the steady heat of the oven.
Factors That Impact Turkey Breast Bake Times
While 375°F is ideal for roasting turkey breast, a few factors impact just how long you need to bake it for:
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Weight – A small 2 lb breast may cook in just over an hour, while a large 8 lb breast could need upwards of 3 hours. Calculate around 15-20 minutes per pound for boneless or 20-25 minutes per lb for bone-in.
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Bone-in or Boneless – Removing the bone speeds up cooking. Boneless breasts bake faster.
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Temperature – If still partially frozen, you may need to use a lower 325°F temp to allow time to thaw. Higher 400°F for a quick defrost.
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Stuffing – Stuffed breasts take longer. For food safety, it’s best to cook stuffing separately.
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Pan type – Dark metal pans heat up quicker compared to glass.
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Oven differences – Each oven’s true temp may vary.
Time Guidelines for Baking Turkey Breast at 375°F
As a general guide, use these turkey breast roast times as a starting point when baking at 375°F:
- 2-3 pounds: 60 – 90 minutes
- 4-6 pounds: 90 minutes – 2 hours 30 minutes
- 6-8 pounds: 2 hours 15 minutes – 3 hours 30 minutes
- 8-12 pounds: 2 hours 45 minutes – 5 hours
- 12-14 pounds: 4-6 hours
Always rely on a meat thermometer over cook times alone to gauge doneness. But these estimates provide a good oven roasting reference based on the size of your turkey breast.
For boneless turkey breasts, deduct about 5 minutes per pound from those ranges. And remember food safety requires getting all poultry to an internal temperature of 165°F as measured by a food thermometer.
Tips for Roasting a Moist, Flavorful Turkey Breast
Follow these handy turkey roasting tips for baking a juicy, tender turkey breast at 375°F:
- Always thaw frozen turkey completely in the fridge 1-2 days before baking.
- Preheat oven fully before placing turkey breast in to roast.
- Pat the breast dry and rub the skin with oil or butter before seasoning. Try a simple salt and pepper rub or get creative with fresh herbs and spices.
- Sear the breast skin-side down in a hot skillet before roasting for crispy skin.
- Place seared-side up on a roasting rack in a pan with a bit of broth added. Tent with foil at first, then remove later for browned skin.
- Baste periodically with pan juices and butter or oil for added moisture and flavor.
- Allow to rest 15-20 minutes before slicing to let juices redistribute.
How to Tell When Turkey Breast is Done
The best and safest way to determine doneness for turkey breast is to use an instant-read meat thermometer. Turkey should register 165°F for food safety.
For ideal juicy texture, pull turkey from the oven around 160°F and allow the temp to coast up another 5-10 degrees as it rests. If overcooked, turkey breast can turn dry and stringy.
Visually, the turkey breast is done when the skin is nicely browned and crispy looking. The meat should be white throughout with no traces of pink and the juices should run clear when pierced with a knife or fork.
Common Turkey Roasting FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about roasting turkey breast in the oven at 375°F:
Can I use a convection oven?
Yes, a convection oven works well for roasting turkey breast. The fan circulates hot air around the breast for quick, even cooking. Just watch closely and expect cook times to come down 10-25%.
Should I brine the turkey breast first?
Brining is a great way to help ensure a flavorful, moist turkey breast. Let it soak for a few hours or up to a day in a saltwater solution with aromatics before roasting.
What’s the best way to prep turkey breast for roasting?
Pat turkey breast dry and rub the skin with olive oil or melted butter. Season all over with salt and pepper or a spice rub. Set seared-side up on a roasting rack over a pan with broth added.
Is it better to roast at 325°F or 350°F instead of 375°F?
Those lower temps will yield moist meat but require more time. 375°F strikes a nice balance between juicy turkey and getting dinner cooked at a reasonable pace.
Can I stuff the turkey breast before roasting?
Stuffing a turkey breast is risky from a food safety standpoint. It’s best to cook stuffing separately to ensure it reaches a safe internal temperature.
Get Perfectly Cooked, Juicy Turkey Breast Every Time
Mastering the ideal oven roasting time charts, temperature and proper technique helps you nail wonderfully moist, delicious turkey breast every time. Rely on an instant-read thermometer for guaranteed safety and doneness.
By following these baking guidelines for turkey breast at 375°F, you’ll enjoy a beautiful golden brown exterior with fork-tender meat that’s super juicy and flavorful. Enjoy this versatile and delicious poultry in all your favorite turkey dishes!
What temperature to cook a stuffed turkey:
Again, the answer is 375°F. Below are the cooking times for a stuffed turkey by pre-stuffed weight at this temperature:
- Turkey 6 to 8 pounds (breast only): 2 hrs 30 mins–3 hrs 30 mins
- Turkey 8 to 12 pounds: 3 hrs–3 hrs 30 mins
- Turkey 12 to 14 pounds: 3 hrs 30 mins–4 hrs
- Turkey 14 to 18 pounds: 4 hrs–4 hrs 15 mins
- Turkey 18 to 20 pounds: 4 hrs 15 mins–4 hrs 45 mins
- Turkey 20 to 24 pounds: 4 hrs 45 mins–5 hrs 15 mins
What size turkey is best for Thanksgiving?
Bigger isn’t better when it comes to turkey. Buy two smaller birds (or one whole turkey and one turkey breast) if you’re feeding a crowd. A pair of 10-pound birds will cook more evenly and stay juicier than a 20-pound beast (not to mention, theyll be easier to carve!).
