How Long To Cook A Turkey is a common phrase I hear the last few weeks of November and into December each year because no one likes a dry turkey! Keep reading to learn the proper cooking times and tips on knowing when your turkey is cooked perfectly!
Turkey is typically the star of the show each Thanksgiving and Christmas, and theres nothing worse than having the turkey you spent hours preparing and cooking turn out dry or overcooked because you didnt know how long to cook it!
Below youll find cooking-time guidelines for all of the many ways you can cook a turkey! If I missed one, comment below and Ill be sure to add it to the list!
Cooking the perfect turkey can seem daunting, but having the right temperature and cook time is key. One of the most common questions is how long to cook a turkey at 300 degrees Fahrenheit. With some simple guidelines, you’ll turn out a tender, juicy bird for your holiday feast.
Why Cook a Turkey at 300 Degrees?
There are a few good reasons why 300 degrees F is ideal for roasting turkey
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Slow roasting allows the meat to cook evenly without drying out. Higher temperatures often lead to overcooking the outside while undercooking the inside.
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300 degrees gives a nice balance between heating the turkey thoroughly while still keeping the meat nice and moist
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Cooking slower gives collagen in the meat more time to break down into gelatin, which keeps the turkey succulent.
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The lower oven temperature provides a larger window of time before the turkey dries out.
Cook Times Per Pound at 300 Degrees
As a general rule of thumb, you can expect your turkey to take around 15-18 minutes per pound to cook fully at 300 degrees F.
Here’s a guide based on turkey weight:
- 10 lb turkey: Cook for 2.5 to 3 hours
- 12 lb turkey: Cook for 3 to 3.5 hours
- 14 lb turkey: Cook for 3.5 to 4 hours
- 16 lb turkey: Cook for 4 to 4.5 hours
- 18 lb turkey: Cook for 4.5 to 5 hours
- 20 lb turkey: Cook for 5 to 5.5 hours
While these cook times are approximate, it’s best to check doneness by temperature rather than time alone. But they provide a helpful starting point.
Convection Oven Adjustments
If using a convection oven, the hot air circulation will decrease your cooking time. You can typically reduce the time by around 25% compared to a conventional oven.
For a convection oven at 300 degrees F, plan for:
- 10 lb turkey: Cook for 1.75 to 2.5 hours
- 14 lb turkey: Cook for 2.5 to 3 hours
- 18 lb turkey: Cook for 3.5 to 4 hours
Check frequently with a meat thermometer, as convection ovens can sometimes cook faster than expected.
Stuffing and Internal Temperature
Keep in mind that stuffing your turkey will increase the required cook time. For safety, stuffed turkeys should reach 165 degrees F at the center of stuffing and thickest part of meat.
An unstuffed turkey can be removed from the oven at a lower breast temp of 150 degrees F since the thigh meat will keep cooking as the turkey rests.
Letting Your Turkey Rest is Crucial
Once your turkey reaches the target internal temp, let it rest tented with foil for a minimum of 30 minutes before carving. This resting period allows juices to redistribute for tender, juicy meat. Don’t skip this step!
Other Oven Temperatures
While 300 degrees F is ideal, you can successfully roast turkey at other oven temperatures too. Here’s a quick guide:
- 250 degrees F: 30 minutes per lb
- 275 degrees F: 20-25 minutes per lb
- 325 degrees F: 15 minutes per lb
- 350 degrees F: 13 minutes per lb
Higher heats will shorten cook time but can result in drier meat. Lower temperatures will extend cook time but keep the turkey more moist.
Takeaways for Juicy Turkey at 300 Degrees
Follow these tips for foolproof turkey roasted at 300 degrees F:
- Calculate 15-18 minutes per lb cook time based on weight
- Use a meat thermometer to check doneness
- Allow the turkey to rest before slicing into it
- Reduce cook time by 25% for convection ovens
- Add 1 hour for stuffed birds
- Watch closely at higher temps
With the right technique, your 300 degree turkey will turn out perfectly – moist and full of flavor. Give it a try this year for your best turkey yet!
How Long To Cook A Turkey In A Bag
Cooking turkey in an oven bag is one of the most fool-proof ways to roast a whole turkey. It seals in the moisture, so even if you overcook it a bit, it still stays relatively moist. The downside to cooking it in a bag is that the skin doesnt get quite as crispy as it would by roasting in an open oven. Moist turkey vs. Crispy Skin? Your call!
How To Tell If Your Turkey Is Perfectly Cooked
As I mentioned before, the only safe and most effective way to know if your turkey is truly cooked is to check the internal temperature of the meat. This is done with a meat thermometer! There are many types of thermometers that you can use– here are a few to consider.
- Oven-Safe Leave-In Thermometer This type of thermometer can be inserted into the turkey before placing it in the oven and left in during cooking. They are inexpensive but require you to open the oven to read the temperature, letting heat escape. See an example here
- Instant Read Thermometer Instant Read thermometers are great because they do just what youd think– read the temperature instantly! Just open the oven, insert it into the turkey, and almost immediately, the temperature will appear on the screen. See an example here
- Leave-In Probe Thermometer When cooking a turkey, probe thermometers are definitely my favorite tool! They come with a probe (or 2) connected to a wire that is oven safe and connects to a digital box that you can read the temperature on. The box stays outside of the oven so its easily read and you can even set alarms that will alert you when the turkey is the correct temperature! 2 probe thermometers are especially handy when cooking a stuffed turkey because you can monitor the temperature of the meat as well as the stuffing. See an example here
Can I cook a turkey at 300 degrees?
FAQ
How long does a turkey take to cook at 300 degrees?
| Cooking Temperature | Weight Unstuffed | Estimated Cooking Time |
|---|---|---|
| 300ºF | 14-18 lbs. | 2½ – 3 hours |
| 300ºF | 18-22 lbs. | 3 – 3½ hours |
Can you cook a turkey at a low temperature?
“A low temperature will cook the meat very nicely inside and keep it juicy without drying it but you want to high temperature at some point whether it’s at …Nov 22, 2022
How long to smoke a 15 pound turkey at 300 degrees?
Smoke at 275-300°F for 3.5 to 4 hours or until internal temperature reaches 165°F when measured in the thickest part of the breast using an instant read meat …Nov 3, 2016
How many minutes per pound to cook a turkey at 275 degrees?
Cover tightly with foil and place in a preheated 275 degree F oven, where you will cook the turkey at 10 minutes per pound. For example, if you have a 15-pound turkey, you will roast for 2 1/2 hours. When your turkey has roasted for the allotted time, remove from oven and uncover.
How long does it take to cook a Turkey at 300?
Cooking at 300°F is considered a low and slow method, resulting in exceptionally tender meat but requiring more time: For an 18-pound unstuffed turkey: 18 pounds × 20 minutes = 360 minutes (6 hours minimum cooking time) How long to cook a turkey at 275? The 275°F cooking temperature is an ultra-low and slow method:
How long does it take to cook a 12 pound turkey?
The ideal cooking time for a turkey cooked at 300 degrees is approximately 20 minutes per pound. This means that a 12-pound turkey would take around 4 hours to cook thoroughly. However, cooking times may vary depending on various factors such as oven temperature accuracy, turkey size, stuffing, and personal preference.
Can you cook a Turkey at 300 degrees?
The simple answer is yes, you can cook a turkey at 300 degrees. While many traditional recipes recommend cooking turkey at higher temperatures to achieve a crispy skin, a lower temperature can also produce excellent results. Cooking a turkey at 300 degrees will result in a slower cooking process, but it will produce juicy and tender meat.
How long do you cook a stuffed turkey at 300 degrees?
Here are more detailed turkey cooking times for roasting at 300 degrees Fahrenheit: These times are for an unstuffed turkey roasted in the oven at 300 degrees F. If you are cooking a stuffed turkey, plan on adding about 30 minutes to 1 hour to the total cooking time.
What temperature should a Turkey be roasted at?
While 300 degrees F is ideal, you can successfully roast turkey at other oven temperatures. Here’s a general guide: Higher heats will shorten cook time but may result in drier meat. Lower heats will extend cook time but keep turkey more moist. Follow these tips for foolproof turkey roasted at 300 degrees F:
Can you cook a Turkey at a low temperature?
No, cooking a turkey at lower temperatures like 300 degrees will not result in crispy skin. If crispy skin is desired, you can finish off the cooking process at a higher temperature or use other methods like broiling or deep-frying. 4. How do you keep a turkey moist when cooking it at low temperatures?