On Thanksgiving Day, there can be a fierce competition for oven space as people bake their own pies, reheat their favorite holiday casseroles, and brown the dinner rolls. You need a detailed plan to make the perfect feast. You need to know exactly when the stuffing will go in and the mac and cheese will come out. And then theres the true hog of the oven: the ever-important roasted turkey. Not only does it require lots of space to roast to juicy perfection, it requires plenty of time. But just how much time?.
The turkey is the most important part of a Thanksgiving meal, no matter how good the sides are or how pretty the dessert table is. What else is there to say? Turkey Day is all about the bird! That’s why it’s important to know how to thaw a turkey, season it, and cook it for the right amount of time. Use this guide and there will be no guessing games on Thanksgiving Day. To determine the cook time, start with the size of the bird and whether or not its stuffed. For people who like brined turkey, you might want to add an extra day. The Pioneer Woman does this. ).
The best thing you can do on Thanksgiving Day is plan ahead. This guide will help you make sure you have enough time to cook your turkey, whether you want to stick to the traditional roasted turkey or try something new this year, like Ree Drummonds’ fancy bacon-wrapped bird! And no matter what, do like the pros and factor in resting time for your bird. It’s best to let the turkey rest for at least an hour after cooking so that the juices can redistribute and make the meat as juicy as possible.
Cooking the star of your Thanksgiving dinner to juicy golden brown perfection takes patience and getting the timing just right. A 20lb turkey is a big bird, so how long exactly should you expect to have it roasting in the oven at 350°F?
Let’s look at estimated cook times along with tips to ensure your turkey turns out moist and delicious.
Estimated Roast Times
Cooking times can vary a bit based on the shape and density of your specific turkey, if it is stuffed or unstuffed, and your oven’s accuracy. But these general guidelines will get you in the ballpark for roasting a 20lb turkey at 350°F:
- Unstuffed: Approximately 4 to 4 1/4 hours
- Stuffed: Approximately 4 3/4 to 5 hours
Stuffed turkeys take longer because the center of the stuffing must reach 165°F. An unstuffed turkey will cook faster since there is one less large mass to heat through.
Key Factors That Affect Cook Time
Several variables impact how long your 20lb turkey will need to roast:
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Stuffed vs. unstuffed – A stuffed turkey takes longer as noted above. The stuffing must reach a safe internal temp.
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Oven temperature – Double check your oven with an oven thermometer. Older ovens may run hot or cool impacting cook time.
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Turkey shape – Shallow, round birds cook faster than tall, narrow ones of the same weight. Their shape affects how long it takes heat to penetrate.
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Brining – Soaking the raw turkey in a saltwater brine solution before cooking will increase the time slightly.
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Thawing – Be sure the turkey is fully thawed before roasting or that will significantly increase the time needed.
Handling a Large Turkey
Roasting an extra large bird like a 20 pounder requires some special handling:
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Use a heavy duty roasting pan to support the weight. A disposable foil pan may collapse.
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Allow at least 2 inches around the turkey for air flow and even cooking. Crowding can slow cooking.
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Use multiple racks under the turkey to lift it closer to the center of the oven where heat circulates best.
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Tent with foil if skin browns too fast or rotates pan. Keep basting to a minimum.
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Check temperature in both the thigh and the breast, the thickest parts.
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Let rest 30-40 mins before carving for easiest slicing and juiciest meat.
Food Safety Tips
When dealing with a sizable turkey, food safety is especially important:
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Defrost in the refrigerator allowing 24 hrs for every 4-5 lbs of turkey weight.
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Use a meat thermometer to verify the turkey reaches 165°F in the thigh and breast before serving.
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Stuffing should also hit 165°F. Cook stuffing separately if needed.
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Don’t leave the stuffed or cooked turkey sitting out more than 2 hours. Refrigerate promptly.
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Carve the turkey within 1-2 days and use within 3-4 days for optimum freshness and flavor. Reheat thoroughly.
The Benefits of a Lower Temperature
While 350°F is a common turkey roasting temp, lowering the oven temp to 325°F can provide some advantages:
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Maximizes juiciness and tenderness since the turkey cooks more gently.
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Reduces risk of overbrowning the skin before the interior is fully cooked.
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Allows more time for the turkey to absorb all the seasonings you’ve rubbed on or under the skin.
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Gives you a little more oven flexibility if the turkey needs more time.
Just keep in mind a 20 lb turkey cooked at 325°F may need up to 5 hours or more to fully roast. Use a meat thermometer and allow ample time for a bird this size.
Roasting a sizable 20lb turkey is a marathon cooking event, not a sprint. Allowing enough oven time for a turkey this large along with frequent temperature checks helps ensure your holiday centerpiece turns out mouthwateringly tender and delicious. With the right prep and patience, you’ll enjoy a Norman Rockwell-worthy golden turkey your guests will rave about.
Do you cook a turkey longer if it is stuffed?
Yes, a stuffed turkey takes longer to cook than an unstuffed bird. An instant read thermometer must read at least 165 degrees in the middle of the stuffing to make sure it’s cooked all the way through. A turkey that isn’t stuffed must also reach 165 degrees, but the thermometer probe should be put into the deepest part of the thigh, being careful not to touch the bone, so that the reading is correct.
Our advice? Cook the stuffing separately in a baking dish. This keeps things from getting dirty and is also the only way to make sure the stuffing turns golden and slightly crisp on top. Of course, the holidays are all about keeping family traditions alive, so it’s up to you if you stuff your bird or not.
How long per pound do I cook my turkey?
How long the turkey needs to roast depends on how big it is and whether it’s stuffed or not. As a general rule, roast your turkey for 15 to 20 minutes per pound. However, to make sure the bird doesn’t get too rare or too done, a thermometer reading is the best way to go. The suggested cooking times below are for a turkey thats roasted at 325 degrees.
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
8 to 12 pounds: 3 to 3 1/2 hours
12 to 14 pounds: 3 1/2 to 4 hours
14 to 18 pounds: 4 to 4 1/4 hours
18 to 20 pounds: 4 1/4 to 4 3/4 hours
20 to 24 pounds 4 3/4 to 5 1/4 hours
Exactly How Long to Cook a 20-Pound Turkey at 350 Degrees Fahrenheit
FAQ
Is it better to cook a turkey at 325 or 350?
How long to cook a 20 pound unstuffed turkey?
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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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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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20 to 24 pounds
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4½ to 5 hours
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13 to 16
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Is it better to cook a turkey covered or uncovered?