From a 15-pound turkey to a 20-pound bird, our food editors talk about how to cook, when to carve, and what temperatures to use in the oven. They also give advice on how to keep the turkey moist.
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Over the years, we’ve cooked a lot of turkeys here at Country Living. We don’t want to brag, but we think we have the technique down pat. (We can even help you fix a burnt turkey if need be. If you follow these easy steps, you’ll be able to carve a bird this year that looks like it came from a Norman Rockwell painting.
Roasting a big 20 pound stuffed turkey can seem daunting, but with the right timing and technique you can get a beautifully browned, moist and delicious holiday centerpiece.
The main question is, how long should you cook a 20 pound stuffed turkey? Follow this complete guide for tips on calculating times, monitoring doneness and roasting the bird to perfection
Why a Stuffed Turkey Takes Longer
Stuffing a turkey before roasting adds great flavor as the stuffing absorbs all the tasty turkey juices However, it does mean a longer cooking time Here’s why
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The inside of the turkey takes longer to reach a safe minimum temperature when stuffed.
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The extra mass of stuffing conducts heat slower than just meat.
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Too much stuffing can lead to uneven cooking.
The general rule of thumb is to allow 15-20 extra minutes per pound for a stuffed bird. This allows enough time for the deepest part of the stuffing and meat to fully cook through.
How Long to Cook a 20 lb Stuffed Turkey
For a 20 pound stuffed turkey, plan on roasting for approximately 4 1/4 to 5 1/4 hours at 325°F oven temperature. Here is a complete timetable:
- Preheating oven: 30 minutes
- Initial roasting: 1-1 1/2 hours covered
- Uncover and finish roasting: 2 3/4 – 3 3/4 hours
- Standing time: 20 minutes
So your total roasting time will be in the range of 4 hours 15 minutes up to 5 hours 20 minutes.
These times are general guidelines. Relying solely on cook times can lead to under or overcooking. Using a meat thermometer is essential.
How to Tell When a 20 lb Stuffed Turkey is Done
An accurate instant-read thermometer is the only sure way to test doneness for a large stuffed turkey. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the breast, thigh and stuffing. It should read:
- Breast – 170°F
- Thigh – 175°F
- Stuffing – 165°F
The temperature will rise 5-10°F as the turkey rests. If the stuffing is under 165°F, return to the oven until fully cooked through.
Let the roasted turkey rest at least 20 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to fully absorb back into the meat.
Turkey Stuffing Safety Tips
To prevent foodborne illness when making stuffed turkey, always follow these safety guidelines:
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Use an instant-read thermometer to verify temperatures.
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Loosely stuff turkey cavities to allow even cooking – overstuffing can lead to undercooked meat.
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Prepare and mix stuffing right before roasting so it doesn’t sit at room temp too long before cooking.
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Bake any extra stuffing in a greased casserole dish on the side.
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Never leave stuffing in the cooked turkey longer than 2 hours after roasting completes.
Roasting a Juicy 20 lb Stuffed Turkey
Follow this simple recipe and technique for a tender, juicy 20 pound stuffed turkey:
Ingredients:
- 20 lb whole turkey, giblets removed
- 1 batch bread stuffing
- 1⁄4 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp poultry seasoning
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Directions:
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Rinse turkey inside and out. Pat dry with paper towels.
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Mix stuffing and loosely fill neck and body cavities. Tie legs together with string.
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Rub outside of turkey with olive oil. Sprinkle with seasoning.
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Place turkey breast up on a rack in a large roasting pan.
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Roast uncovered at 325°F for 30 minutes.
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Loosely tent foil over turkey. Continue roasting 4-5 hours until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of breast, thigh and stuffing reaches 170°F, 175°F and 165°F respectively.
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Remove foil last 30 minutes if browning is needed.
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Let turkey rest 20-30 minutes before carving.
The Takeaway
For a 20 lb stuffed turkey, plan on roasting approximately 4 1/4 – 5 1/4 hours at 325°F oven temperature. Rely on a thermometer, not just cook times, to ensure food safety and delicious results. Follow these simple tips and your holiday turkey will be a juicy, golden brown showstopper!
How Long to Cook an Unstuffed Turkey (Recommended)
Getting an instant-read thermometer is the first thing you should do before you start cooking a turkey. Cooking by temperature is the best and safest way to know when your turkey is ready. The thermometer should be put into the thickest part of the bird, which should be between the breast and part of the thigh. Be careful not to hit any bones. Its done when the thermometer just reads between 160º and 165ºF.
A turkey should be cooked at 325ºF for about 15 to 20 minutes per pound. That’s just a guess, though. The exact time will depend on the size of the bird, the oven, how accurate your temperature gauge is, and whether the bird is stuffed or not. Thats why we always recommend you use a thermometer to be safe. Heres a quick breakdown of weights and times. At 325°F for an unstuffed turkey:
- 10-12 pounds: cook 2 3/4 to 3 hours
- 15-16 pounds: cook 3 1/2 to 4 hours
- 18-20 pounds: cook 4 to 4 1/2 hours
For a turkey that is 20-pounds or more, settle in for the afternoon. This could take around 4 1/2 to 5 hours.
ThermoPro ThermoPro Digital Meat Thermometer
If you forgot to salt and pepper your turkey ahead of time, don’t worry—just do it now. Next, rub plenty of butter under the skin above the breast meat. Finally, put an onion, a half-cut lemon, and a bundle of herbs (sage, rosemary, and thyme) inside the hole. Also, put some onion, celery, and carrots in the bottom of the pan. This will help the gravy taste better.
Want something out of the ordinary? Check out our Thanksgiving turkey recipes for different flavor options.
How long does it take to cook a 20 lb stuffed turkey?
FAQ
How long does a 20 lb stuffed turkey take to cook?
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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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3½ to 4 hours
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9 to 10
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14 to 18 pounds
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4 to 4¼ hours
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10 to 13
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18 to 20 pounds
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4¼ to 4¾ hours
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13 to 14
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20 to 24 pounds
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4¾ to 5¼ hours
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14 to 17
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Is it better to cook a stuffed turkey at 325 or 350?
Should you bake a turkey covered or uncovered?
How long does it take to cook a 20 pound turkey in a gas oven?
How long do you cook a stuffed turkey?
These stuffed turkey cooking times have been tested and proven to work well by our Test Kitchen team: For 10- to 12-pound turkey, roast 3¼ hours to 3½ hours. For 12- to 14-pound turkey, roast 3½ to 4 hours. For 14- to 18-pound turkey, roast 4 to 4¼ hours. For 18- to 20-pound turkey, roast 4¼ to 4¾ hours.
How long do you cook a 14 pound turkey?
For 12- to 14-pound turkey, roast 3½ to 4 hours. For 14- to 18-pound turkey, roast 4 to 4¼ hours. For 18- to 20-pound turkey, roast 4¼ to 4¾ hours. For 20- to 24-pound turkey, roast 4¾ to 5¼ hours. The safest way to determine your exact roasting time is by checking every 15 minutes or so after the 3-hour mark using a meat thermometer.
How long does it take to cook a Turkey?
All times below are based on cooking a turkey at 325 degrees F. 4 to 8 pounds (breast only): 1 1/2 to 3 1/4 hours 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 6 to 8 pounds (breast only): 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours
How much stuffing per pound for a stuffed turkey?
Test Kitchen Tip: When stuffing the turkey, allow for 3 ⁄4 cup per pound of turkey ( 11 cups for a 15-lb. bird.) Stuff the turkey just before roasting (not ahead). Spoon stuffing loosely into turkey (stuffing won’t reach a safe temperature if packed tightly). First, what’s the cooking time per pound for a stuffed turkey?
What temperature should a stuffed turkey be cooked at?
When cooking a stuffed turkey, the temperature should read 165°F in the stuffing, 170°F in the breast, and 175°F in the thigh. Note that after removing the turkey from the oven, the temperature of the meat will rise about 5°F. “For the most foolproof results, brine your turkey.
How long does it take to cook a frozen turkey?
20 to 24 pounds: 4 3/4 to 5 1/4 hours It’s safe to cook a completely frozen turkey but it will take at least 50 percent longer than a thawed bird. If cooking from frozen, remove the giblet packet with tongs about halfway through. Cook until the deepest part of the thigh registers 165 degrees F with an instant-read thermometer.