Thanksgiving is here and you want to roast a Butterball Turkey (or turkey of your choice). Okay, now you know how to roast a turkey the easy way, so every time you make a turkey, it will be juicy and golden brown. single. time. I promise it’s so much easier than you think. ANYONE can make a great turkey. Add my tutorial for making amazing Gravy and Cornbread Stuffing and Thanksgiving is served!.
As the star of the Thanksgiving table, a beautifully roasted turkey is a must. But cooking the bird to juicy tender perfection can seem daunting, especially when tackling a large 20 lb turkey. Have no fear! With some simple tips and tricks, you can nail cooking times for a 20 lb Butterball turkey every time.
Why Weight Matters
Turkey roasting times are largely determined by the size and weight of your bird. A 20 lb turkey is considered extra large. The more meat there is, the longer it takes for the heat to fully penetrate and cook through to the center.
Here are some key reasons why weight matters when calculating turkey cook times
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Oven temperature remains constant, but more meat means it takes longer for the inside to come up to temp.
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Bones and cavities slow down internal cooking. Heat reaches the dense breast meat and thighs more slowly than the wings.
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Stuffing also increases cook times. The center of stuffed turkeys must reach 165°F.
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Frozen vs. thawed makes a difference, as frozen birds take significantly longer.
So for a 20 lb turkey, plan on allotting plenty of time for roasting. Our roast turkey cooking time calculator takes the guesswork out of determining exactly how long your butterball needs based on weight and other factors.
Calculate Cook Time for a 20 lb Turkey
Butterball provides specific cooking times tailored to 20 lb turkeys. Here are the recommended roasting times:
Regular Oven (325°F):
- Unstuffed: 4 to 4 1/2 hours
- Stuffed: 5 to 5 1/2 hours
Convection Oven (325°F):
- Unstuffed: 2 1/2 to 3 hours
- Stuffed: 3 1/4 to 3 3/4 hours
Smoked (325°F):
- Unstuffed and thawed: 4 to 5 hours
These times are based on placing your turkey breast side up in a roasting pan in a preheated 325°F oven. Always use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness rather than relying solely on cook times.
If using a higher oven temp, reduce cook times. Lower oven temperatures will increase roasting times. Brining, stuffing, and thawing also affect the time needed. Our calculator takes all these factors into account for you.
Handy Time-Saving Tips
Roasting a 20 lb turkey can take upwards of 5 hours. Here are some handy tips for reducing your cook time:
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Partially cook the day before. Roast your stuffed turkey for 1-2 hours until the thigh meat reaches 100°F. Then refrigerate and roast to completion on Turkey Day.
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Cut cooking time by up to 30% with a convection oven. The fan circulates hot air for faster, more even cooking.
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Invest in a leave-in meat thermometer to avoid excess oven peeking and constantly re-heating your oven.
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Opt for spatchcocking or breaking down your turkey into parts. Halves or quarters cook much quicker than a whole bird.
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Cook multiple smaller turkeys rather than one huge one if you’re feeding a crowd. Several 12-14 lb birds cook faster than a 20 pounder.
Is Your Turkey Done?
A meat thermometerinserted into the thickest part of the thigh and breast is the only way to determine true doneness for a 20 lb turkey. The minimum safe internal temperature for turkey is 165°F.
For a stuffed turkey, the center of the stuffing must also reach 165°F. If undercooked, return to the oven for additional roasting until the proper temperature is reached.
And keep in mind the turkey will continue to cook and rise in temperature as it rests before carving. After pulling your turkey from the oven, allow it to rest15-20 minutes so the juices can redistribute through the meat.
Mastering the 20 lb Butterball
Cooking times are crucial when roasting a sizable 20 lb turkey. But don’t let the size scare you. With proper thawing, our handy cooking time calculator, and a meat thermometer for doneness, you can confidently tackle this Butterball centerpiece. Monitor your temps, tent with foil if needed, and you’ll have a Norman Rockwell-worthy golden turkey on your table this Thanksgiving.
How long to cook Turkey per pound
So there are all sorts of oven temperatures and roasting instructions floating out in the ether online when it comes to turkey roasting. Here’s how I do it and it seems pretty fail proof: Preheat your oven to 450 degrees. Once your turkey is prepped and ready to go, stick that pretty bird inside your preheated oven and immediately reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees. Roast your turkey until the breast reaches an internal temperature of 170 degrees F and the thigh is 175 degrees F, about 12-13 minutes per pound for an unstuffed turkey. Start checking for doneness thirty minutes before it is estimated to be done with an instant read meat thermometer (this is the one I have and works great! Under $20.)
For a stuffed turkey, you can estimate 15 minutes per pound.
Calm Down, Oven Roasted Turkey is easy!
Thanksgiving wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without turkey. Being the one responsible for roasting *THE* turkey for Thanksgiving is like the ultimate job. A lot of pressure rides on you. You either give everyone food poisoning or you dry that sucker out. Well, believe it or not, there is a middle ground! You can cook a juicy, fully cooked bird with little work that everyone will love. Read on, my loves, a gorgeous golden bird is at the end of this road.
How long to cook a 20 lb turkey Butterball?
FAQ
How long does it take to cook a 20 lb Butterball turkey?
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Weight
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Cook Time (Unstuffed)
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Cook Time (Stuffed)
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10-18 lbs.
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3-3½ hrs.
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3¾-4½ hrs.
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18-22 lbs.
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3½-4 hrs.
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4½-5 hrs.
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22-24 lbs.
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4-4½ hrs.
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5-5½ hrs.
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24-30 lbs.
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4½-5 hrs.
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5½-6¼ hrs.
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Is it better to cook a turkey at 325 or 350?
How long does it take to cook a 20lb turkey at 350 degrees?
Do you cook a turkey covered or uncovered butterball?
How long do you cook a Butterball turkey?
When it comes to roasting a Butterball turkey, knowing the cooking time is essential for achieving a juicy and perfectly cooked bird. The cooking time varies depending on the weight of the turkey. However, on average, you should cook a Butterball turkey for about 15 minutes per pound. How do I calculate the cooking time for my Butterball turkey?
How long do you cook a large turkey?
Cover the turkey with aluminum foil. 7. Roast the turkey for 15 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. 8. Let the turkey rest for 10 minutes before carving. Roasting is a great option for large turkeys, as it allows the entire bird to cook evenly.
Can you stuff a Butterball turkey?
Yes, you can stuff your Butterball turkey. However, it is recommended to cook the stuffing separately to ensure it reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Stuffing the turkey will increase the cooking time, so adjust accordingly. Can I cook a Butterball turkey breast using the same cooking time per pound?
Can you cook a Butterball turkey at a higher temperature?
While it is possible to cook your Butterball turkey at a higher temperature, it is not recommended. Cooking at a higher heat may cause the exterior of the turkey to become overly browned or even burnt, while the inside remains undercooked. Therefore, it is best to stick with the recommended temperature and cooking time.
How long do you cook an unstuffed Turkey?
We recommend roasting turkey at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for13 minutes per pound for an unstuffed turkey. We’ve done the math for you — check out the chart below to determine both turkey cook times and estimated servings (with leftovers!). Follow this chart for turkey cooking times based on the size of your bird.
Can you cook a Butterball turkey from frozen?
*Stuffed: the bird will be cooked from a refrigerated temperature and you have chosen to add stuffing **Cook from frozen (Pre-Stuffed): Pre-Stuffed Butterball Turkey that must be cooked from frozen (Do not thaw) ^^Cook from frozen Unstuffed: Butterball turkey that is designed to be cooked from frozen.