How Long To Cook A Turkey

17re a first time cook or a seasoned pro, we\’ve got answers to all of your questions.

If you\’re using a convection oven, be sure to consult Butterball\’s adjusted cooking instructions. Consult your manufacturer\’s handbook for tips to use your specific oven.

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Fresh or Frozen Whole Turkeys

Roasting a whole turkey is easier than you think. Just follow these simple instructions for a fresh or thawed turkey:
Preheat oven to 325� F. Drain juices and pat dry with clean paper towels.
Place turkey breast side up on a flat rack in a shallow roasting pan 2 to 2 1/2 inches deep.
Turn the wings back to hold the neck skin in place. (Tucking the wings will help stabilize the turkey in the pan and when carving) Brush or spray skin lightly with vegetable or cooking oil for best appearance.
Insert an oven-safe meat thermometer deep into the lower part of the thigh without touching the bone. When the thigh is up to temperature, and if the turkey is stuffed, move the thermometer to the center of the stuffing.
Place your turkey in the oven.
When the turkey is about ? done, loosely cover breast and top of drumsticks with a piece of foil to prevent overcooking.
Your turkey is done when temperature is 180� F in thigh and 165� F in breast or stuffing.
Lift turkey onto platter, and let stand for 15 minutes before carving.

Cooking in a Regular Oven (325�F)

Weight / Cook Time (Unstuffed) / Cook Time (Stuffed)

4 1/2-7 lbs. 2-2 1/2 hrs. 2 1/4-2 3/4 hrs.
7-9 lbs. 2 1/2-3 hrs. 2 3/4-4 1/2 hrs.
9-18 lbs. 3-3 1/2 hrs. 3 3/4-4 1/2 hrs.
18-22 lbs. 3 1/2-4 hrs. 4 1/2-5 hrs.
22-24 lbs. 4-4 1/2 hrs. 5-5 1/2 hrs.
24-30 lbs. 4 1/2-5 hrs. 5 1/2-6 1/4 hrs.
Roasting Tip

If you don\’t have a rack, crunch aluminum foil into a coil or use vegetables like carrots to keep your turkey off the bottom of the pan.

Cooking in a Convection Oven (325�F)

Weight / Cook Time (Unstuffed) / Cook Time (Stuffed)

6-10 lbs. 1 1/2 -2 hrs. 1 3/4-2 1/2 hrs.
10-18 lbs. 2-2 1/2 hrs. 2 1/2-3 1/4 hrs.
18-22 lbs. 2 1/2-3 hrs. 3 1/4-3 3/4 hrs.
22-24 lbs. 3-3 1/2 hrs. 3 3/4-4 1/4 hrs.

Frozen Stuffed Whole Turkeys

Frozen stuffed turkeys go from freezer to oven without thawing. Just follow these simple instructions for a perfectly roasted turkey:

Preheat oven to 325� F. Hold under running water and remove giblets, neck, and gravy packets.
Place turkey on flat rack in a shallow roasting pan, 2 to 2 1/2 inches deep.
Brush or spray skin lightly with vegetable or cooking oil for best appearance.
Cover neck and exposed stuffing with foil to prevent over-browning. Place turkey in pre-heated oven.
When turkey is about 3/4 done, loosely cover breast and top of drumsticks with a piece of foil to prevent overcooking.
After about 3 hours, insert an oven-safe thermometer deep into the thigh without touching the bone.
Begin checking the turkey for doneness about 30 minutes before the recommended cook time.
Your turkey is done when meat thermometer reaches 180� F in thigh and 165� F in center of stuffing.
Lift turkey onto platter and let stand for 15 minutes before carving.

Cooking in a Regular Oven (325�F)

Weight / Cook Time
7-9 lbs. 4-4 1/2 hrs.
9-12 lbs. 4 1/2-5 hrs.
12-14 lbs. 5-6 hrs.

MORE HOW-TOS FROM BUTTERBALL
Brining a Turkey
How to Thaw a Turkey
How to Stuff a Turkey
How to Carve a Turkey

Pre-Cooked Whole Turkeys

Fully cooked turkeys are an easy way to get a great tasting turkey on the table in less time. Follow these special directions for a delicious meal:

Preheat oven to 325� F. Remove wrapper. Do not stuff.
Place thawed turkey, breast side up, on flat rack in shallow roasting pan 2 to 2 1/2 inches deep.
Brush or spray skin lightly with vegetable or cooking oil for best appearance.
Insert oven-safe meat thermometer deep into the thigh without touching the bone.
Place turkey in pre-heated oven and heat until hot (140� F).

For Smoked Turkey
Cover pan completely with foil for the entire cooking time.

For Baked Turkey
Cover breast loosely with foil after 1 to 1 1/4 hours to prevent over-browning and drying.

Begin checking the turkey for doneness about 30 minutes before the recommended cook time.
Your turkey is done when the meat thermometer reaches 140� F in thigh.
Carve and serve immediately.

Cooking in a Regular Oven (325�F)
Weight / Cook Time Baked (Thawed) / Cook Time Baked (Frozen) / Cook Time Smoked (Thawed)

8-10 lbs. 1 1/4-1 3/4 hrs. 2 1/4-3 1/4 hrs. 1 1/4- 1/2 hrs.
10-16 lbs. 1 3/4-2 1/4 hrs. 2 3/4-3 3/4 hrs. 1 1/2-2 hrs.
16-18 lbs. 2 1/4-2 1/2 hrs.