The question is straightforward, but there are so many variables that make answering this a moot point (or, in the words of Joey Tribbiani, a “moo” point). Not only is every turkey a different size (duh), but ovens vary drastically—heck, even the cook times of turkeys that weigh the same can vastly differ due to breed, fat content, breast size, etc. Did you brine it? Truss it? Are you cooking a stuffed turkey? OK, then add a few more minutes to that!
The truth is, no matter how fancy-shmancy a turkey cooking time chart looks, youll only really know when your bird is cooked through if you check its internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer.
“For turkey that is moist and juicy,” writes J. Kenji López-Alt at Serious Eats, “aim for breasts that register 150°F in their deepest section and legs that register at least 165°F.” Ahead, we’re sharing even more tips about how to cook a turkey for Thanksgiving and offer our pro advice on carving a turkey, too.
Cooking the perfect turkey for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. With some simple guidelines, you can roast a juicy, flavorful 12 pound turkey in the oven in about 3 to 4 hours.
Overview of Cooking a 12 Pound Turkey
For a 12 pound unstuffed turkey, plan on cooking it for approximately 3 to 4 hours total at an oven temperature of 325°F. This allows enough time for the turkey to fully cook through without drying out. Here is a general timeline
-
Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F for at least 30 minutes before cooking. This ensures the oven is fully up to temperature.
-
Prep the turkey Remove the giblets from the cavity Rinse the turkey inside and out with cold water and pat dry Tuck the wings under and tie the legs together with kitchen string,
-
Season the turkey: Rub oil or butter all over the skin. Season the turkey cavities with salt, pepper, herbs, aromatics like onion and garlic, or stuffing if desired.
-
Roast the turkey: Place the turkey breast side up on a roasting rack in a roasting pan. Roast for 3 to 4 hours, until the internal temperature in the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165°F.
-
Let rest: Remove turkey from oven and let rest for 20-30 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute through the meat.
-
Carve and serve: Carve the turkey and serve warm. Enjoy!
Determining Exact Cook Time
While the approximate roasting time for a 12 pound turkey is 3 to 4 hours, the exact cooking time can vary. Factors like the shape and density of your specific bird, your oven type, and whether or not you stuffed the turkey can all impact the total cook time.
To determine when your 12 pound turkey is fully cooked, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, taking care not to hit the bone. The turkey is ready when it reaches 165°F in the thighs and 175° in the breasts. If stuffed, the center of the stuffing should reach 165°F as well.
Checking the temperature and allowing the turkey to rest before carving are keys to preventing overcooking. If the turkey is done but you’re not quite ready to eat, you can tent it loosely with foil and let it rest for up to 30 minutes without losing too much heat.
Tips for a Moist, Flavorful Turkey
Here are some tips to help ensure your 12 pound turkey turns out juicy, tender and delicious:
-
Brine the turkey: Soaking the turkey in a saltwater brine solution before cooking infuses it with flavor and moisture.
-
Rub butter/oil under the skin: Slipping butter or oil under the skin helps baste the meat from the inside out as it roasts.
-
Use an oven-safe thermometer: An leave-in thermometer with a probe monitors the turkey’s temp without opening the oven.
-
Baste with pan drippings: Baste the turkey every 30 mins with the juices to prevent the skin from drying out.
-
Cook on a rack: Elevating the turkey allows air flow for even cooking. The rack catches drippings too.
-
Rest before carving: Letting the turkey rest after cooking allows the juices to reabsorb back into the meat.
Troubleshooting Common Turkey Cooking Issues
Even if you follow all the tips, you may still encounter an issue or two when roasting your turkey. Here are some common problems and how to avoid them:
Turkey is still pink: If the meat near the bone still has a pink hue even when the thighs reach 165°F, the turkey is safe to eat. The bones conduct heat inwards, so the meat next to them may not cook as fast.
Turkey is dry: Fully cooked poultry can still turn out dry if overcooked. Be sure to roast your turkey no higher than 325°F and use a meat thermometer to prevent overcooking.
Skin won’t get crispy: A lower oven temperature of 325°F can prevent the skin from crisping properly. Try starting at a higher temp for the first hour then reducing to 325°F to finish.
Smoky oven: Excess fat dripping on the hot heating elements can generate smoke. Place a foil lined pan below the turkey to catch drippings.
Burning/over-browning: If the skin browns too quickly, tent it loosely with foil to slow cooking. Rotate the pan periodically for even cooking.
The Takeaway
Cooking a 12 pound turkey in the oven is doable for any home cook with some simple guidelines. Plan on roasting the turkey for approximately 3 to 4 hours at 325°F until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F in the thighs and 175°F in the breasts. Monitor temperature, baste periodically, and let rest before enjoying your masterpiece turkey! With a little preparation and patience, you’ll have a delicious, picture-perfect turkey for your next holiday feast.
How Long to Cook a Turkey
I like to roast my unstuffed, room-temperature turkey at 350°F—and if you must know for how long, its about 13 minutes to 15 minutes per pound. That means, say, a 12-pound turkey should take about 2 1/2 hours to cook. Keep in mind that these times work best for, as mentioned, a thawed turkey that has been brought to room temperature. Trying to cook a partially frozen turkey for Thanksgiving is an entirely different ballgame (though if you find yourself in that unsavory pickle, we do have some tips to get you out of it).
Guess who agrees? Nigella Lawson. Her turkey cook times in the seminal classic, Nigella Christmas, line up with my numbers above (and no ones cooked as many turkeys as she has).
“The cook times here always seem shockingly short to other people,” Lawson writes, “but the truth is weve all been overcooking turkeys for years, and then complaining about how dull and sawdusty they are. If your turkey starts at room temperature, and is untrussed and without stuffing, and your oven thermostat is working correctly, these cooking times hold.”
Ive read horrifying accounts on other sites advising 20 minutes per pound of turkey (!). I can just taste the sawdust of what surely will be a memorable Thanksgiving turkey (but not in a good way).
Again, go by the internal temperature at the thickest part of the bird if you can (150°F at the breast and 165°F at the leg). I personally like to remove the turkey from the oven about 5°F earlier because it will continue to cook as it rests. Before you carve a turkey for Thanksgiving, you should let it rest for at least 15 minutes (and upwards of one hour). This will let it cool ever so slightly so it’s a little bit easier to handle when you go to carve it but more importantly, it will lock in all of the moisture and flavor, lest all the juices come rushing out onto the cutting board.
Should You Cover a Turkey?
And while you may be inclined to use it, ditch the aluminum foil. “But Eric, however will my turkey stay warm if it isn’t covered in aluminum foil?” Fortunately dear reader, after a bird has been roasting in the oven for upwards of two to three hours, it will continue to stay hot even after it’s been resting for half an hour. Plus, wrapping a Thanksgiving turkey in foil will cause it to continue to cook—ahem, overcook—as aluminum is a natural heat conductor. So while yes, it will keep your turkey meat warm, it will also turn it from a moist, juicy masterpiece into sawdust…and thus, all of your hard work will be ruined. What is your favorite way to cook a turkey for Thanksgiving? Share your secrets in the comments below! 52 Days of Thanksgiving 52 Days of Thanksgiving
Top-notch recipes, expert tips, and all the tools to pull off the year’s most memorable feast.
How long do you cook a turkey per pound in the oven?
FAQ
Should a 12 pound turkey be covered or uncovered?
When cooking a turkey, it is recommended to cover it for most of the cooking time to prevent it from drying out. However, towards the end of the cooking process, it is advised to remove the cover to allow the skin to crisp up (1). Covering the turkey with foil helps trap steam and moisture, resulting in a juicier bird.
How long does it take to cook a 12 lb turkey in the oven?
As a rule of thumb, 12–15 pound turkey will take between 2 1/2 and 4 hours to cook. Here’s another way to think about it: Unstuffed Turkey: about 13 minutes per pound. Stuffed Turkey: about 15 minutes per pound.
Do you put water in the bottom of a roasting pan for turkey?
You can pour a little of water in the bottom of the roasting pan, but keep in mind the turkey will release drippings as well as it cooks. However, if you’re making gravy, it’s best to add about a cup of water to the roasting pan.
How long does it take to cook a 12 pound butterball turkey?
| Weight | Cook Time (Unstuffed) | Cook Time (Stuffed) |
|---|---|---|
| 7-10 lbs. | 2½-3 hrs. | 2¾-3½ hrs. |
| 10-18 lbs. | 3-3½ hrs. | 3¾-4½ hrs. |
| 18-22 lbs. | 3½-4 hrs. | 4½-5 hrs. |
| 22-24 lbs. | 4-4½ hrs. | 5-5½ hrs. |
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.
How long does it take to cook a Turkey?
All times below are based on cooking a turkey at 325 degrees F. 4 to 8 pounds (breast only): 1 1/2 to 3 1/4 hours 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 6 to 8 pounds (breast only): 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours
How long does it take to cook a stuffed turkey?
If you’re roasting a stuffed turkey, the cooking time increases to approximately 15 to 17 minutes per pound. Therefore, for a 12-pound stuffed turkey, you can expect it to take roughly 3 to 3.5 hours.
How long do you deep fry a 12 pound turkey?
Deep-frying a turkey can create a crispy exterior while keeping the inside juicy. However, this method requires careful attention and safety precautions. It is generally advised to fry around 3-4 minutes per pound at around 350°F, leading to an overall cooking time of about 42 to 48 minutes for a 12-pound turkey.
How long does it take to cook a frozen turkey?
20 to 24 pounds: 4 3/4 to 5 1/4 hours It’s safe to cook a completely frozen turkey but it will take at least 50 percent longer than a thawed bird. If cooking from frozen, remove the giblet packet with tongs about halfway through. Cook until the deepest part of the thigh registers 165 degrees F with an instant-read thermometer.
What temperature do you cook a stuffed turkey?
All cook times are based on placing a whole unstuffed turkey on a rack in a roasting pan and into a preheated 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) oven. Turkey is done at an internal temperature of 165 degrees F (75 degrees C). Allow the turkey to rest for at least 30 minutes before carving and serving.