From a 15-pound turkey to a 20-pound bird, our food editors talk about how to cook, when to carve, and what temperatures to use in the oven. They also give advice on how to keep the turkey moist.
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Over the years, we’ve cooked a lot of turkeys here at Country Living. We don’t want to brag, but we think we have the technique down pat. (We can even help you fix a burnt turkey if need be. If you follow these easy steps, you’ll be able to carve a bird this year that looks like it came from a Norman Rockwell painting.
Roasting a big 20 lb stuffed turkey can seem daunting, but it’s easier than you think with the right techniques. The key is allowing enough time for even cooking so the meat is juicy and the stuffing is fully cooked.
In this guide, I’ll explain exactly how long it takes to roast a 20 lb stuffed turkey to perfection Follow these simple tips for your best holiday bird yet!
Why Stuffed Turkeys Take Longer
Stuffing a turkey adds great flavor as the stuffing absorbs all the delicious turkey juices. However, it does mean a longer cooking time Here’s why
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The inside of the turkey takes longer to reach a safe minimum internal temperature when stuffed.
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The extra mass of stuffing conducts heat slower than just meat.
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Too much stuffing can lead to uneven cooking.
You need to allow 15-20 extra minutes per pound for a stuffed turkey to fully cook through. This ensures the deepest part of the stuffing and meat are properly cooked.
Recommended Cook Time
Here is the recommended cook time for a 20 lb stuffed turkey:
- 20 lb turkey: 4 1⁄4 to 5 1⁄4 hours at 325°F
This roasting time is based on USDA guidelines for stuffed turkeys. Always use a meat thermometer rather than just relying on cook times for doneness.
How to Tell When It’s Done
To test if your 20 lb stuffed turkey is fully cooked, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature:
- Breast should reach 170°F
- Thigh should reach 175°F
- Stuffing should reach 165°F
The temperature will rise 5-10°F as the turkey rests after roasting. If the stuffing is under 165°F, return it to the oven until fully cooked through.
Let the cooked turkey rest for at least 20 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to absorb back into the meat.
Cook Time Tips
Follow these tips to ensure proper cook time for a 20 lb stuffed turkey:
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Calculate 15-20 extra minutes per pound since it’s stuffed. This gives a range of 4 1⁄4 to 5 1⁄4 hours.
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Use the lower end of the time range if you loosely stuffed the turkey. Overstuffing will require more time.
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Check temperature early and continue roasting if needed until safe minimums are reached.
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Cover with foil at the start for moisture, then uncover the last 30 minutes to brown the skin.
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Let it rest at least 20 minutes before carving for juicy meat.
Step-by-Step Roasting Method
Follow this simple step-by-step method for roasting a delicious 20 lb stuffed turkey:
1. Prepare the Turkey
Remove giblets, rinse the turkey, and pat dry. Mix the stuffing then loosely fill the body and neck cavities. Tie the legs together with string and tuck the wings under.
2. Season the Turkey
Coat the turkey skin with olive oil or butter then generously season with salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning. This adds great flavor.
3. Roast in the Oven
Place turkey breast-side up on a rack in a roasting pan. Add 1 cup broth or water to the bottom.
Roast uncovered at 325°F for 30 minutes. Loosely cover with foil and continue roasting about 4 1⁄4 to 5 1⁄4 hours.
4. Brown and Test for Doneness
Remove foil during last 30 minutes if browning is needed. Brush skin with oil or butter to enhance browning.
Test temperature in the breast, thigh, and stuffing. Cook until they reach 170°F, 175°F, and 165°F respectively.
5. Let Rest and Carve
Once fully cooked, let the turkey rest for 20-30 minutes before removing stuffing and carving. This allows the juices to absorb so meat stays moist.
The Takeaway
Figure 15-20 extra minutes per pound when roasting a stuffed turkey. For a 20 lb bird, this equals a total cook time of 4 1⁄4 to 5 1⁄4 hours at 325°F oven temperature. Rely on a meat thermometer for doneness, and let it rest before carving.
With these simple tips, your holiday turkey dinner will impress! A tasty, juice-infused stuffed turkey is easier to make than you thought.
How Long to Cook an Unstuffed Turkey (Recommended)
Getting an instant-read thermometer is the first thing you should do before you start cooking a turkey. Cooking by temperature is the best and safest way to know when your turkey is ready. The thermometer should be put into the thickest part of the bird, which should be between the breast and part of the thigh. Be careful not to hit any bones. Its done when the thermometer just reads between 160º and 165ºF.
A turkey should be cooked at 325ºF for about 15 to 20 minutes per pound. That’s just a guess, though. The exact time will depend on the size of the bird, the oven, how accurate your temperature gauge is, and whether the bird is stuffed or not. 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.
ThermoPro ThermoPro Digital Meat Thermometer
If you forgot to salt and pepper your turkey ahead of time, don’t worry—just do it now. Next, rub plenty of butter under the skin above the breast meat. Finally, put an onion, a half-cut lemon, and a bundle of herbs (sage, rosemary, and thyme) inside the hole. Also, put some onion, celery, and carrots in the bottom of the pan. This will help the gravy taste better.
Want something out of the ordinary? Check out our Thanksgiving turkey recipes for different flavor options.
How long does it take to cook a 20 lb stuffed turkey?
FAQ
How long does a 20 lb stuffed turkey take to cook?
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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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3½ to 4 hours
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9 to 10
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14 to 18 pounds
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4 to 4¼ hours
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10 to 13
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18 to 20 pounds
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4¼ to 4¾ hours
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13 to 14
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20 to 24 pounds
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4¾ to 5¼ hours
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14 to 17
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Is it better to cook a stuffed turkey at 325 or 350?
Should you bake a turkey covered or uncovered?
How long does it take to cook a 20 pound turkey in a gas oven?
How long do you cook a stuffed turkey?
These stuffed turkey cooking times have been tested and proven to work well by our Test Kitchen team: For 10- to 12-pound turkey, roast 3¼ hours to 3½ hours. For 12- to 14-pound turkey, roast 3½ to 4 hours. For 14- to 18-pound turkey, roast 4 to 4¼ hours. For 18- to 20-pound turkey, roast 4¼ to 4¾ hours.
How long do you cook a 14 pound turkey?
For 12- to 14-pound turkey, roast 3½ to 4 hours. For 14- to 18-pound turkey, roast 4 to 4¼ hours. For 18- to 20-pound turkey, roast 4¼ to 4¾ hours. For 20- to 24-pound turkey, roast 4¾ to 5¼ hours. The safest way to determine your exact roasting time is by checking every 15 minutes or so after the 3-hour mark using a meat thermometer.
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 much stuffing per pound for a stuffed turkey?
Test Kitchen Tip: When stuffing the turkey, allow for 3 ⁄4 cup per pound of turkey ( 11 cups for a 15-lb. bird.) Stuff the turkey just before roasting (not ahead). Spoon stuffing loosely into turkey (stuffing won’t reach a safe temperature if packed tightly). First, what’s the cooking time per pound for a stuffed turkey?
What temperature should a stuffed turkey be cooked at?
When cooking a stuffed turkey, the temperature should read 165°F in the stuffing, 170°F in the breast, and 175°F in the thigh. Note that after removing the turkey from the oven, the temperature of the meat will rise about 5°F. “For the most foolproof results, brine your 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.