How long do you cook a turkey?

Table of Contents:

1. How long do you cook a turkey?
2. Where do you stick the thermometer in a turkey?
3. Should you put butter on a turkey?
4. How often should a turkey be basted?
5. What do you put inside a turkey?
6. Do you put an onion in a turkey?
7. Does stuffing a turkey make it taste better?
8. Why should you not stuff the turkey?
9. Is it safe to eat stuffing from a turkey?
10. How long do you cook 25 lb turkey?

How long do you cook a turkey?

How Long Does It Take to Cook a Turkey?

Turkey Weight	Cooking Time	Doneness Temperature
12-14 lbs.	3 hrs–3 hrs 45 mins	170-175°F
14-18 lbs.	3 hrs 45 mins–4 hrs 15 mins	170-175°F
18-20 lbs.	4 hrs 15 mins–4 hrs 30 mins	170-175°F
20-24 lbs.	4 hrs 30 mins–5 hrs	170-175°F

Where do you stick the thermometer in a turkey?

The tip of the thermometer should be placed into the thick part of thigh without touching the bone. Remove the turkey when it reaches 180°F. The breast must reach 170°F and if the turkey is stuffed, check the temperature of the center of the stuffing to make sure it's cooked to 165°F.

Should you put butter on a turkey?

Don't butter your bird Placing butter under the skin won't make the meat juicier, though it might help the skin brown faster. However, butter is about 17 percent water, and it will make your bird splotchy, says López-Alt. Instead, rub the skin with vegetable oil before you roast.

How often should a turkey be basted?

every 30 minutes

What do you put inside a turkey?

Liberally salt and pepper the inside of the turkey cavity. Stuff the cavity with the bunch of thyme, halved lemon, quartered onion, and the garlic. Brush the outside of the turkey with the butter mixture and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Do you put an onion in a turkey?

Onions, shallots and garlic serve as the foundation of many of our favorite meals, so be sure to include them on Thanksgiving Day. A few cloves of garlic and a quartered onion combined with herbs or any other ingredients on this list are sure to give you a tasty turkey.

Does stuffing a turkey make it taste better?

The United States Department of Agriculture ( USDA ) recommends cooking the stuffing out side of the bird. Bacteria can survive in stuffing that has not reached 165 F, possibly resulting in foodborne illness. Some people feel that stuffing has a better taste and is moister when prepared in the turkey.

Why should you not stuff the turkey?

When stuffing isn't prepared correctly or cooked until reaching 165 degrees, it increases the risk that bacteria can live and grow in the stuffing, even if the turkey itself is cooked. In some cases, this can cause foodborne illness, like salmonella, listeria and E.

Is it safe to eat stuffing from a turkey?

If you want that special flavor you can only get from putting stuffing in the bird, it is safe to do so if you apply food safety tips. If you put stuffing in the turkey, do so just before cooking. ... Bacteria can survive in stuffing that has not reached 165 degrees that could then cause food poisoning.

How long do you cook 25 lb turkey?

A 25-pound turkey would take approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes to cook until done — when a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast and thigh registers 165 F, according to the University of Minnesota Extension.