The most feared part of cooking a turkey is about to be talked about: How Long to Cook a Turkey? There’s nothing more nerve-wracking then wondering if you’re going to overcook the bird. I’ve broken every step down for you, meaning you can now begin your turkey takedown with confidence!.
I can help you figure out when to thaw, brine, and bake your turkey, whether it’s a small 4-pound turkey breast or a huge 24-pound whole bird.
I also gave you some of my best tips and tricks for finding out when your turkey is done (spoiler alert: you’ll want one of these).
To see everything, scroll down. You can also use the Table of Contents box above to quickly find what you want to read.
You can also print out a chart that shows how long to cook a turkey in the oven. It has turkey cook times at the end.
The cook times below are for turkeys that are not stuffed (stuffing cooked outside the bird) and turkeys that are stuffed (stuffing cooked inside the bird).
It’s important to keep an eye on things while they’re cooking to make sure everything turns out just right.
Roasting a turkey can be an intimidating task, especially if you’re tackling the big bird for the first time on Thanksgiving. With so much food and festivity riding on your shoulders, you’ll want to make sure the centerpiece of your holiday table is cooked to perfection.
Luckily roasting a moist delicious 13 lb turkey is easier than you think when you follow some simple guidelines. In this article, we’ll walk through exactly how long you should cook a 13 lb turkey in the oven at 325°F to achieve ideal doneness.
Overview of Cooking Times
The most important factor in determining turkey cook time is the weight of your bird. Here are general USDA recommendations for cooking an unstuffed turkey at 325°F:
- 12 to 14 lb turkey: 3 to 3 3⁄4 hours
- 14 to 18 lb turkey: 3 3⁄4 to 4 1⁄4 hours
A 13 lb turkey falls right in the middle of that range, so you can expect your cook time to be around 3 1⁄2 to 4 hours at 325°F.
These roast times are based on a fully thawed turkey. If your turkey is still partially frozen, it will take significantly longer to cook through.
Step-by-Step Roasting Method
Follow these simple steps for roasting success with your 13 lb turkey
- Thaw – If frozen, thaw turkey completely in the refrigerator for 24 hours per 4-5 lbs weight.
- Prep – Pat turkey dry and rub all over with softened butter. Generously season inside and out with salt and pepper.
- Roast Slow – Place turkey breast side up on a rack in a roasting pan. Cook at 325°F, allowing 3 1⁄2 to 4 hours.
- Baste – Baste turkey with pan drippings every 30 minutes for moisture and flavor.
- Check Temp – Internal temp should reach 165°F in thigh before removing turkey.
- Rest – Let turkey rest at least 20 minutes before slicing for juicy meat.
Helpful Tips
- Cook stuffing separately for food safety.
- Use a meat thermometer for doneness, not just time.
- Tent turkey with foil if browning too quickly.
- Let turkey rest for 20 minutes before carving.
- Save drippings for gravy.
Is a Lower Temperature Better?
Yes, roasting the turkey at a lower temperature of 325°F is ideal. It allows the bird to cook slowly and evenly all the way through to the bone.
Quick, high heat can overcook and dry out the delicate breast meat. Slower roasting at 325°F lets the thighs and legs finish cooking through without the breast becoming leathery.
The lower heat helps render fat and crisps the skin. Tenting with foil if the turkey browns too fast prevents the meat from drying out.
According to turkey experts, 325°F gives you the juiciest, most flavorful results. It brings out the natural flavor and moisture of the meat.
As long as you monitor internal temperature and allow ample time, roasting low and slow at 325°F is the way to go for roasting turkey perfection.
Figuring Out Cook Times
A 13 lb turkey will need right around 4 hours to roast fully and reach a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
However, always rely on a meat thermometer rather than time to determine doneness. Cook times can vary based on the shape and proportions of your particular bird.
To estimate turkey cook time at 325°F, allow 15-20 minutes per pound for an unstuffed turkey. Stuffing extends the time needed since it cooks more slowly deep inside the cavity.
Use these time ranges as a starting point, then begin checking temperature about 2 hours into roasting. Monitor it every 30 minutes until it registers 165°F in the innermost thigh and breast.
Letting the turkey rest afterwards allows juices to redistribute for up to 10° more degrees of warming. Resting also makes the meat easier to carve.
Alternate Cooking Methods
While roasting in the oven is traditional, you can also cook turkey using these methods:
- Grill – Cook over indirect heat on a gas or charcoal grill. Spatchcock for quicker cooking.
- Smoke – Slow smoke turkey seasoned with herbs and spices for deep flavor.
- Fry – Cook submerged in hot oil for crispy skin and moist meat. Use an outdoor fryer.
- Sous vide – Turkey comes out incredibly tender and juicy. Finish under the broiler.
No matter which technique you choose, use a meat thermometer to confirm poultry reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
The Takeaway
Roasting your 13 lb turkey slowly at 325°F is the best route to juicy, flavorful holiday perfection. Figure on around 4 hours cook time, but rely on a thermometer for doneness.
Rest the turkey before carving, use the drippings for gravy, and enjoy the fruits of your roasting labor as you celebrate with family and friends!
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What If I Forgot to Thaw My Turkey?
If you can’t follow the above thawing schedule, don’t worry! You can still use an ice-water bath to thaw your whole turkey.
Put your frozen turkey in a bath of ice water. The water should stay between 32 and 38 degrees F. You can use your sink, a big bucket, or even a cooler. Check it constantly to ensure it stays ice cold.
This way will still take a while (about 8 hours for a 15-pound turkey), but it will be much faster and the meat will be very tender.
When to Brine Your Turkey
- Wet Brine. If you want to use a wet brine, add it 12 to 24 hours ahead of time.
- Dry Brine. There should be 24 to 48 hours of time between adding a dry brine and the water.
How long does it take to cook a 13 pound turkey?
FAQ
How long to cook a 13 lb turkey in the oven at 325 degrees?
Is it better to cook a turkey at 325 or 350?
How long does it take to cook a 13 pound turkey unstuffed?
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Weight
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Cook Time
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Servings
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8 to 12 pounds
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2¾ to 3 hours
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5 to 8
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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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How long should a 13 lb turkey rest after cooking?
How long does it take to cook a 6 pound turkey?
The rule of thumb for an unstuffed turkey is that it cooks at a rate of 13 minutes per pound in a 350ºF oven. At this rate, a 6-pound turkey will take 78 minutes (or 1 hour and 18 minutes). A 15-pound turkey will take 195 minutes (or 3 hours and 15 minutes).
How long does it take to cook an unstuffed Turkey?
Generally, it takes about 20 minutes per pound to cook unstuffed birds, however, other factors like turkey size and oven temperature variances can still play a critical role in achieving poultry perfection. Conventional ovens, whether they are gas or electric, call for a standard 325 °F (162 °C) to a 350 °F (177 °C) oven.
How do you know if a Turkey is cooked at 325?
Turkey temperature: Use an instant read thermometer to check your turkey’s internal temperature. Insert the probe in the deepest part of the thigh — it should register 165 F. How long to rest turkey: Let turkey turkey rest 20 minutes before carving. All times below are based on cooking a turkey at 325 degrees F.
How long do you cook a stuffed turkey?
If you’re going the classic route, stuffing your turkey rather than cooking the stuffing in its own dish, you’ll increase the above roasting times by 15 to 45 minutes. Look here for the stuffed turkey timing details. Again, do a temperature test to be sure the turkey is done.
How long does it take to deep fry a Turkey?
Deep frying takes less time and will still produce a juicy turkey with crispy skin, but strict supervision is required at all steps of the cooking process. That being said, according to Southern Cooking Queen Paula Deen, deep fry your turkey at 350 °F (177 °C) in cooking oil for 3 minutes per pound plus another 5 minutes per bird.
How do you cook a Turkey in the oven?
Brush or spray skin lightly with vegetable or cooking oil for best appearance. Insert oven-safe meat thermometer deep into the thigh without touching the bone. Begin checking the turkey for doneness about 30 minutes before the recommended cook time. Your turkey is done when the meat thermometer reaches 140°F in thigh. Carve and serve immediately.