How Long to Cook a 13 lb Turkey at 325°F for Maximum Juiciness

The most feared part of cooking a turkey is about to be talked about: How Long to Cook a Turkey? There’s nothing more nerve-wracking then wondering if you’re going to overcook the bird. I’ve broken every step down for you, meaning you can now begin your turkey takedown with confidence!.

I can help you figure out when to thaw, brine, and bake your turkey, whether it’s a small 4-pound turkey breast or a huge 24-pound whole bird.

I also gave you some of my best tips and tricks for finding out when your turkey is done (spoiler alert: you’ll want one of these).

To see everything, scroll down. You can also use the Table of Contents box above to quickly find what you want to read.

You can also print out a chart that shows how long to cook a turkey in the oven. It has turkey cook times at the end.

The cook times below are for turkeys that are not stuffed (stuffing cooked outside the bird) and turkeys that are stuffed (stuffing cooked inside the bird).

It’s important to keep an eye on things while they’re cooking to make sure everything turns out just right.

Roasting a turkey can be an intimidating task, especially when cooking for a crowd at Thanksgiving or Christmas. With so much time and effort going into the centerpiece of your holiday meal, you’ll want to make sure that 13 lb bird comes out perfectly juicy and delicious.

One of the most important factors in achieving turkey perfection is knowing exactly how long to cook it. While recommended cook times can vary slightly based on whether your turkey is stuffed and whether it’s thawed or frozen, let’s focus on the timing for a 13 lb unstuffed turkey roasted at 325°F.

Overview of Roasting a 13 lb Turkey

Here’s a quick rundown of the basic steps and approximate timelines when roasting a 13 lb turkey in the oven at 325°F

Prep time 30-60 minutes to remove giblets, pat dry season and position turkey in the roasting pan.
Roasting time: Approximately 3 1/2 to 4 hours total cooking time.
Resting time: At least 20-30 minutes before carving for juicy meat.
Total time: Around 5 hours from start to finish.

Always rely on a meat thermometer to determine doneness rather than just cook time. But this gives you a general timescale when budgeting your holiday meal prep.

Why Cook at 325°F?

You may see some recipes calling for higher roasting temperatures like 350°F or even up to 425°F. However, cooking the turkey at a lower 325°F oven temperature is recommended for several reasons:

Promotes even, gentle cooking throughout the turkey rather than over-browning the outside.
Allows time for the interior to reach the safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F.
Prevents the turkey breast meat from drying out.
Gives you more time for basting and tenting if the skin browns too quickly.

The slower roasting gives you a larger window of time to crisp the skin at the end while keeping the breast and thighs perfectly succulent.

Determining Exact Cook Time

While approximate roasting times are a useful starting point, always rely on a meat thermometer rather than cook time alone to determine when your 13 lb turkey is finished cooking.

To confirm doneness, insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh and breast, avoiding the bone. The turkey is ready when it registers 165°F in both areas.

For food safety, it must reach this minimum temperature even if the cook time seems shorter than expected based on the chart.

Step-By-Step Roasting Guidelines

Follow these steps for roasting a 13 lb turkey at 325°F:

Thaw – Thaw frozen turkey in the fridge 1 day for every 4 lbs. Place breast side up on tray to catch juices.
Prep – Remove giblets, neck, and任. Pat skin dry. Season inside and out with salt, pepper, herbs.
Roast – Place turkey breast up on a rack in roasting pan. Tuck wings under. Roast at 325°F, basting occasionally.
Temp – Start checking temperature after 2 1/2 hours. Cook until 165°F in breast and thigh.
Rest – Let turkey rest at least 20-30 mins before carving for juicier meat.
Carve – Carve turkey and serve immediately once rested. Enjoy!

Helpful Turkey Roasting Tips

Brining the turkey boosts moisture – soak overnight in saltwater in the fridge.
Tent turkey with foil if skin browns too fast. Add broth or water to pan.
Use a meat thermometer for accuracy. Don’t rely solely on pop-up timer.
Letting turkey rest before carving allows juices to redistribute for tender meat.
For golden crisp skin, increase temp to 400°F for the last 30 minutes if needed.

FAQs About Roasting a 13 lb Turkey

What if my turkey is still partially frozen?

Do not attempt to roast a partially frozen turkey! Make sure it is fully thawed before cooking. Place in fridge for estimated 1 day per 4 lbs weight.

Can I stuff my 13 lb turkey?

For food safety, it is recommended to cook stuffing in a baking dish separate from the turkey. However, if you do stuff, factor in extra roasting time as the center will take longer to reach 165°F.

Should I tent the turkey with foil while cooking?

Tenting with foil helps prevent over-browning. Check on turkey periodically and tent loosely with foil if skin starts getting too brown before the interior is finished.

Can I leave turkey unattended while roasting?

It’s best not to leave turkey completely alone for more than 20-30 minutes at a time. Periodically baste, check temp, and monitor browning to prevent drying out.

What temperature should the thigh meat reach?

Turkey thighs should reach 165°F minimum, just like the breast. Check innermost section near thighbone with a meat thermometer to verify safe doneness.

What if my 13 lb turkey cooks faster than expected?

If turkey is browning too quickly or reaching 165° earlier than estimated, tent with foil and turn down oven 25 degrees to prevent overcooking.

The Takeaway

Roasting a turkey seems daunting, but having an understanding of approximate cook times based on weight and temperature takes the guesswork out. For a 13 lb turkey in a 325°F oven, plan on around 3 1/2 to 4 hours total. Monitor temperature and adjust roasting time if needed. Resting before carving lets juices set for a flavorful holiday centerpiece.

how long to cook a 13 lb turkey at 325

What If I Forgot to Thaw My Turkey?

If you can’t follow the above thawing schedule, don’t worry! You can still use an ice-water bath to thaw your whole turkey.

Put your frozen turkey in a bath of ice water. The water should stay between 32 and 38 degrees F. You can use your sink, a big bucket, or even a cooler. Check it constantly to ensure it stays ice cold.

This way will still take a while (about 8 hours for a 15-pound turkey), but it will be much faster and the meat will be very tender.

When to Brine Your Turkey

Wet Brine. If you want to use a wet brine, add it 12 to 24 hours ahead of time.
Dry Brine. There should be 24 to 48 hours of time between adding a dry brine and the water.