How long should you cook your turkey? Your turkey is cooked properly when it reaches a minimal internal temperature of 165 degrees F (75 degrees C). In order to get there your oven needs to be pre-heated to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). You can also use a food thermometer for the best result.
Generally a turkey should be cooked for 20 minutes per pound. But that will vary depending on its size. You will also need to consider if it’s stuffed or unstuffed or has been thawed. A stuffed turkey will always take longer to cook. According to USDA (United States Department of Agriculture), a fully thawed turkey takes 50 percent less time than a frozen turkey in the oven.
Turkey Cooking Time
Whether it’s a whole turkey or just turkey breast, It’s not easy to keep track of the proper cook time. That’s why I have prepared this turkey cooking time chart.
| Turkey (Unstuffed) | Turkey (Stuffed) | Turkey Breast | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 lbs | 1 hour 30 minutes | ||
| 5 lbs | 1 hour 45 minutes | ||
| 6 lbs | 2 hours 15 minutes | ||
| 7 lbs | 2 hours 45 minutes | ||
| 8 lbs | 2 hours 45 minutes | 3 hours | |
| 10 lbs | 2 hours 55 minutes | 3 hours 15 minutes | |
| 12 lbs | 3 hours | 3 hours 30 minutes | |
| 14 lbs | 3 hours 45 minutes | 3 hours 45 minutes | |
| 16 lbs | 4 hours | 4 hours | |
| 18 lbs | 4 hours 15 minutes | 4 hours 15 minutes | |
| 20 lbs | 4 hours 30 minutes | 4 hours 45 minutes | |
| 22 lbs | 4 hours 45 minutes | 5 hours | |
| 24 lbs | 5 hours | 5 hours 15 minutes |