From a smaller 15lb turkey to a 20+lb bird, our food editors are sharing advice on oven temperatures, cooking times, and when to carve the bird before dinner—plus, tips to keep turkey moist.
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Its Thanksgiving Week! If youre hosting, youve got a lot to do. Youll need to straighten up and get everything clean. If you havent yet, getting a few Thanksgiving decorations out is a good idea. Of course you should be doing all your shopping—dont want to wait until Wednesday for that. Oh, and youll want to start preparing the turkey!
Weve cooked a fair number of turkeys over the years at Country Living, and not to toot our horns too much but weve got the technique pretty dialed in. So follow these simple instructions and youll be carving a perfectly browned bird worthy of a Norman Rockwell painting this year.
Quick note: If youre cooking the most popular size, a 20 pound turkey, then you might want our Step by Step Guide for Preparing and Cooking a 20-Pound Thanksgiving Turkey.
As Thanksgiving approaches, many home cooks ponder the age-old question: What is the best oven temperature for roasting a turkey – 325°F or 350°F? When tackling a sizeable 14 lb bird, choosing the right roasting temperature is crucial for properly cooked, juicy meat.
Why Temperature Matters
The oven temperature impacts the turkey in two key ways:
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Cooking time – Higher temps cook faster while lower temps take longer A 14 lb turkey may need 4+ hours at 325°F versus 3 hours or less at 350°F.
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Moisture retention – High heat accelerates moisture loss, drying out the meat. Low, slow roasting maintains more juices.
Considering these factors, finding the right compromise between temperature and time allows the turkey to cook through safely without becoming parched.
Recommended Oven Temps
325°F – This is the gold standard temperature preferred by many cooking experts. At 325°F, expect a cooking time of about 15 minutes per pound, or 3 hours 45 minutes for a 14 lb stuffed turkey. The more moderate heat gently roasts the bird, ensuring even doneness while retaining moisture.
350°F – Cooking at the higher 350°F temp shaves off about 30 minutes of roasting time compared to 325°F. However, the quickened cooking can sacrifice juiciness as juices are driven out rapidly. The breast meat in particular may dry out.
Key Considerations
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A stuffed turkey should be roasted at the lower 325°F since the stuffing is insulated and takes longer to heat through.
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Cook times vary based on the shape and proportions of each bird. Test doneness in multiple areas with a meat thermometer.
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Using an oven thermometer ensures your oven is reaching the target temp, for accuracy.
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Basting helps keep the turkey moist when using higher heat. Brush with pan drippings every 30 minutes.
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Letting the cooked turkey rest for 20-30 minutes allows juices to redistribute for a juicier carved turkey.
Determining Doneness
Relying on the pop-up timer is not foolproof. Use an instant-read thermometer to check the turkey’s temperature in the innermost section of the thigh and breast. The turkey is safely cooked and ready when it reaches:
- Breast – 165°F
- Thigh – 175°F
If the breast temp exceeds 165°F, it will start to dry out quickly. Undercooked turkey is unsafe for consumption.
Additional Roasting Tips
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Thaw the turkey completely before roasting for even cooking.
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Pat the skin dry before seasoning and roasting for crisper skin.
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Use a roasting rack to elevate the turkey for better air circulation.
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Tent foil over the breast and drumsticks if browning too quickly.
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Let rest before carving for the juices to absorb back into the meat.
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Make gravy from the flavorful pan drippings.
With the right temperature, prep, and technique, you can roast a moist, delicious 14 lb turkey with confidence.
- Turkey: 27
- 325°F: 8
- 350°F: 7
- Roast/Roasting: 7
- Cook/Cooking: 6
- Temperature: 9
- 14 pounds: 5
- Time: 7
- Heat: 3
- Juice/Juices/Juicy: 7
- Breast: 5
- Thigh: 3
- Stuff/Stuffed: 3
- Dry/Drier/Drying: 5
- Rest: 2
- Gravy: 1
- Minutes: 2
- Hours: 2
Do I Need to Put Water in the Turkey Roasting Pan?
If you are adding vegetables to the bottom of the roasting pan (they will help flavor your gravy), then add 1/2 cup water before you put the bird in the oven to prevent them from scorching. You can substitute 1/2 cup dry white wine for extra flavor. If you are sans veggies, you can skip putting liquid in your roasting pan.
Cooking Times for Unstuffed Turkey (Recommended)
The first thing you should do before you embark on cooking a turkey is invest in an instant-read thermometer. Cooking by temperature is the best and safest way to know when your turkey is ready. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the bird between the breast and part of the thigh (being sure not to hit bone). Its done when the thermometer just reads between 160º and 165ºF.
In general, you should plan to cook a turkey for around 15 to 20 minutes per pound at 325ºF. But thats only an estimate! The time will vary based on the exact size of the bird, as well as the size of the oven and how accurate your temperature gauge works, and whether or not the bird is stuffed. 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.
How long do you cook a turkey per pound in the oven?
FAQ
Is it better to cook turkey at 325 or 350?
We recommend roasting turkey at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 13 minutes per pound for an unstuffed turkey.Nov 6, 2024
What temperature should a 14 lb turkey be?
For a 14-pound turkey, try a simple saltwater brine for 12–24 hours before roasting. Once your turkey hits 165°F, pull it out of the oven and let it rest for 20–30 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring each slice is tender and juicy.
Is it better to cook a roast at 325 or 350?
When roasting meat and poultry, set the oven temperature to 325°F (163°C) or higher. Explore the charts below to learn how to get great results every time you cook.
Will turkey skin crisp at 325 degrees?
Start hot: Roast the turkey at a high temperature (around 425°F to 450°F) for the first 30 minutes. This helps to render the fat and crisp the skin. Lower the temperature: After the initial high-temperature phase, reduce the oven temperature to around 325°F to finish cooking the turkey evenly.
How long to cook a 12 lb Turkey at 325?
For a 12-pound unstuffed turkey at 325°F: 12 pounds × 15 minutes = 180 minutes (3 hours minimum cooking time) How long to cook a turkey at 350? Here’s a detailed breakdown: Cooking a turkey at 350°F provides a good balance between cooking speed and moisture retention.
Should you cook a Turkey at 350 or 325?
Cooking a turkey at 350 degrees will result in a faster cooking time, while cooking it at 325 degrees will result in a longer cooking time. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the pros and cons of cooking a turkey at 350 degrees and 325 degrees. We’ll also provide some tips for cooking a moist and flavorful turkey.
What temperature should a 14 lb Turkey be cooked at?
The optimal oven temperature for roasting turkey is 325°F. This temperature strikes the right balance between cooking the meat thoroughly while retaining moisture. At 325°F, expect your 14 lb turkey to take about 3 hours and 45 minutes to reach the safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F.
Can you cook a 14 pound turkey in the oven?
Reduce the cook time slightly for a pre-brined turkey: The salts used for brining allow the turkey to cook a bit more quickly. As always, rely on a thermometer over cook times for perfect results. Cooking a 14 pound turkey in a 325°F oven results in ideal flavor, moisture and texture.
How do you cook a 14 lb Turkey?
While roasting is hands-down the most popular cooking method, consider these alternatives for your 14 lb turkey: Smoke – Imparts delicious smoky flavor over 4-6 hours on a smoker or grill. Deep fry – Cooks the turkey in less than an hour for crispy skin and juicy meat. Use extreme caution due to hot oil.
How long to cook a 14 pound unstuffed Turkey?
We recommend roasting turkey at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 13 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!). How long to cook a 14 unstuffed turkey?