How do you cook a 26 pound turkey?

Contents show

The rule of thumb is 15 minutes per pound, but the cooking time also depends on oven temperature, whether the turkey is stuffed or unstuffed, and fresh vs….Cooking time for different sizes.Turkey weightUnstuffed turkey cooking timeOven temperature26 to 29 lb4-1/2 to 5 hours325°FЕщё 3 строки•15.10.2019

How long do you cook 25lb turkey?

A 25-pound turkey would take approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes to cook until done — when a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast and thigh registers 165 F, according to the University of Minnesota Extension.

Is it better to cook a turkey at 325 or 350?

Do I Cook a Turkey at 325 or 350 Degrees? Though “low and slow” is a good rule for cooking a bird all the way through without burning it, there’s no hard-and-fast rule. All of our temperature guides assume you’re cooking at 325, but you can cook it a little warmer for roughly the same, or just a little less time.

How long does it take to cook a 26 pound stuffed turkey?

A stuffed turkey takes longer to cook than an unstuffed turkey. Roast a stuffed turkey for 15 minutes per pound at 350 degrees F. It is important to check the temperature of the stuffing; it should be 165 degrees F (75 degrees C) when you insert the thermometer into the center of the stuffing.

How long do I cook a 25 lb turkey at 350?

The simplest way to figure out turkey roasting times is to calculate 13 minutes per pound at 350°F for an unstuffed turkey (that’s about 3 hours for a 12- to 14-lb.
If your turkey weighs 21 to 22 pounds, roast it at:

  1. 425°F for 4 to 4¼ hours.
  2. 400°F for 4¼ to 4½ hours.
  3. 350°F for 4½ to 4¾ hours.
  4. 325°F for 4¾ to 5 hours.

Should I cover my turkey with aluminum foil?

We’ve found that covering a turkey in foil yields much moister results than roasting it without foil, and we favor simply covering up the breast to even out cooking time.

Do you cook a turkey covered or uncovered?

A 10-pound turkey should hold about 7 cups of stuffing. Q: Should I roast the bird covered or uncovered? A: The Butterball folks recommend cooking the turkey uncovered in a roasting pan. Two-thirds of the way through cooking, Butterball says foil can be placed over the breast area to prevent it from drying out.

IT IS IMPORTANT:  How do you make a pie without baking it blind?

How long does it take to cook a 27 lb turkey?

For a 24-27 lb. turkey (weight with giblets): Bake in a 325° oven for 3-3 3/4 hr. For a 28-30 lb turkey (weight with giblets): Bake in a 325° oven for 3 1/2-4 1/2 hr. Times are for unstuffed birds.

Should a turkey be rinsed before cooking?

Should You Rinse a Turkey? In short, no. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), rinsing a raw turkey in the kitchen sink can lead to the spread of bacteria on countertops, nearby food, and other surfaces, which can cause cross-contamination.

What is the best temperature to cook turkey at?

Begin by roasting your turkey at 425°F for 40 to 45 minutes before lowering the temperature of the oven to 350°F for the rest of the cook time. Like the other method, it’s a good idea to brush the turkey every 15 to 20 minutes with butter or olive oil to help the surface brown and keep the meat moist.

How long do you cook a stuffed 24 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.

How long does a 24 lb turkey take to cook?

How Long Does It Take to Cook a Turkey?

Turkey Weight Cooking Time Doneness Temperature
12-14 lbs. 3 hrs–3 hrs 45 mins 170-175°F
14-18 lbs. 3 hrs 45 mins–4 hrs 15 mins 170-175°F
18-20 lbs. 4 hrs 15 mins–4 hrs 30 mins 170-175°F
20-24 lbs. 4 hrs 30 mins–5 hrs 170-175°F

How long do you cook a turkey for at 350?

13 minutes of cooking time for each pound of turkey if roasting empty and 15 minutes per pound if stuffed. What temperature to cook the turkey? Preheat the oven to 450°F then drop the temperature to 350°F after putting the turkey into the oven.

How many does a 25 lb turkey feed?

12 to 16 people = 16- to 22-lb. turkey. 18 to 20 people = 27- to 30-lb. turkey.

What is the lowest safe temperature to cook a turkey?

Make it safe – The United States Department of Agriculture ( USDA ) recommends temperatures no lower than 325 degrees Fahrenheit for cooking meat and poultry. Cook turkey to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Is turkey done at 165 or 180?

While some recipes state that turkey should be cooked to 180 degrees Fahrenheit, the meat is safe to consume once it reaches the 165-degree mark. Cooking the breasts past 165 can result in dry meat, but the dark meat can be cooked to 180.

Do you put water in the bottom of the roasting pan for turkey?

Place on the bottom of your roasting pan. Place the turkey, breast-side up on top of the vegetables. Add about a half-inch of liquid (water or stock) to the roasting pan. This will keep the oven moist, and the turkey juicy.

How long should you take a turkey out of the fridge before cooking?

Before it goes in the oven, the turkey should be at room temperature, so take it out of the fridge (1 hr for a whole turkey, or 30 mins for a cut) before cooking. Keep it covered in a cool place.

How do I keep my turkey moist?

Here is a fantastic tip: to protect the turkey breast and keep it juicy: Fold a large square sheet of foil into a triangle. Rub one side of your triangle with olive oil and shape the foil (oil-side-down) over the turkey breast, then remove foil; it will shield your turkey breast and keep it from getting dry.

How do you make turkey skin crispy?

Rub the skin with fat.

Once you’ve carefully dried off the skin, the next step you can take to guarantee perfectly crispy turkey skin is to rub it with a fat, like butter or oil. Oil will yield a crispier skin than butter because butter is at least 20 percent water, while oil contains no water.

What do you put in a turkey cavity?

Liberally salt and pepper the inside of the turkey cavity. Stuff the cavity with the bunch of thyme, halved lemon, quartered onion, and the garlic. Brush the outside of the turkey with the butter mixture and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

How often do you baste a turkey?

Most recipes will tell you to baste your turkey every thirty minutes. But our rule of thumb is actually every forty minutes, and here’s why. You don’t want to open the oven too many times, or else the whole bird will take much long to cook, and that’s a huge inconvenience.

How do I cook a 29 pound turkey?

When you’re ready to roast your turkey, here is what our Test Kitchen and the folks at Butterball suggest for 24- to 30-pound turkeys: 24- to 30-pound turkey cooking time (unstuffed): Cook for 4½ to 5 hours at 325°F. 24- to 30-pound turkey cooking time (stuffed): Cook for 5½ to 6¼ hours at 325°F.

IT IS IMPORTANT:  Do canned tomatoes have to be cooked?

What do you baste turkey with?

You can baste turkey with melted butter or other fat, stock, or drippings from the roasting pan.

Where do you stick thermometer in turkey?

Here are few tips to keep in mind:

  1. When preparing a whole turkey, insert the thermometer into the thickest portion of the turkey breast, the innermost portion of thigh and the innermost portion of the wing.
  2. Make sure the thermometer does not touch bone, gristle or the pan.

Why you should never wash your turkey?

“Many consumers think that washing their turkey will remove bacteria and make it safer. However, it’s virtually impossible to wash bacteria off the bird. Instead, juices that splash during washing can transfer bacteria onto the surfaces of your kitchen, other foods and utensils,” USDA officials warn.

Does a Butterball turkey need to be washed?

Should I wash my turkey? “No, you really shouldn’t. The thing that’s great about Butterball turkeys is that they’re all cleaned out and everything like that. And if you wash your turkey, you’re getting raw juices splashing all over your kitchen.

Why you shouldn’t wash your turkey?

Washing your poultry can splash potentially contaminated droplets and juices onto your countertop, nearby utensils and ready-to-eat foods. A more dangerous concern is that washing your poultry will contaminate the sink, which, if not sanitized properly, can pose a significant cross-contamination risk.

How long should a turkey rest?

Thanksgiving Help Line

Pull it out as soon as the temperature hits 165, or even a little lower. The amount of resting time depends on the size of the bird, but at least 20 minutes is needed. A large bird can wait up to 40 minutes or longer, depending on the temperature of the room.

Should you cook a stuffed turkey longer?

Cooking time takes longer for a stuffed turkey. For example, a 20 pound stuffed turkey will take 4 1/4 to 5 1/4 hours to cook.

How long do you cook a turkey calculator?

Third, different ovens vary slightly in temperature.

Turkey Size Cooking Time (unstuffed) Cooking Time (stuffed)
12 – 14 lbs 3 – 3 ¾ hours 3 ½ – 4 hours
14 – 18 lbs 3 ¾ – 4 ¼ hours 4 – 4 ¼ hours
18 – 20 lbs 4 ¼ – 4 ½ hours 4 ¼ – 4 ¾ hours
20 – 24 lbs 4 ½ – 5 hours 4 ¾ – 5 ¼ hours

Is there a difference between roasting and baking?

Roasting involves cooking foods, like meat, potatoes, chicken, and vegetables, that already have a solid structure before you begin cooking. Baking, however, refers to foods without initial structure, like cupcakes and cookies.

What is the largest turkey on record?

The world’s heaviest turkey on record weighed 86 pounds — about the size of a large German Shepherd — and was grown more than three centuries later in England, according to Dr. Sarah Birkhold, poultry specialist with the Texas Agricultural Extension Service.

How big a turkey should I buy for 6 adults?

What Size Turkey Should you Buy?

People Turkey Size
6 6-9 lbs
8 8-12 lbs
10 10-15 lbs
12 12-18 lbs

How big of a turkey do I need to feed 8 adults?

For turkeys smaller than 16 pounds, estimate 1 pound per serving (this accounts for bone weight). For larger birds, a bit less is fine; they have a higher meat-to-bone ratio. But if your goal is to have ample leftovers, aim for 1½ pounds per person whatever the turkey’s size. For 8 people, buy a 12-pound turkey.

How long should a turkey rest before you carve it?

Before you cut a thing, let your turkey rest — at least 30 minutes — so its juices don’t end up on the cutting board.

Can you cook a turkey on 200 all night?

Overnight Roasted Turkey vs.

A typical roasting temperature is around 325 degrees F for up to 8 hours depending on the size of your turkey. As you slowly roast your turkey overnight at 200 degrees F for approximately 10 hours, the low temperature and moisture is basting your turkey while you sleep.

Should I tent my turkey?

Butterball suggests that after the turkey has been cooking for 2/3 of the amount of time needed (depending on the size of the bird), that you cover the breasts with a small tent made of aluminum foil. This will slow down the cooking process of the turkey breasts.

How do you rest a turkey after cooking?

Once cooked, carefully lift the turkey out of the tray and rest on a board. Cover loosely with foil for at least an hour while you get on cooking your roast potatoes.

How do you tell if a turkey is done?

You’ll need a meat thermometer to make sure you cook your turkey to the right temperature. Insert it close to, but not touching, the thigh bone. If it reads 180 degrees F in the thigh and 170 degrees F in the breast, it’s done and ready to serve.

What part of the turkey takes the longest to cook?

Experts recommend taking the turkey’s temperature in the thickest part of the thigh, being sure to stay away from the bone, because that’s the portion of the turkey that takes the longest to cook.

IT IS IMPORTANT:  How long does it take to cook 12 drumsticks?

Is it better to cook a turkey at 325 or 350?

Do I Cook a Turkey at 325 or 350 Degrees? Though “low and slow” is a good rule for cooking a bird all the way through without burning it, there’s no hard-and-fast rule. All of our temperature guides assume you’re cooking at 325, but you can cook it a little warmer for roughly the same, or just a little less time.

Should you wash turkey?

Wash your hands, but not the turkey! Many consumers think that washing their turkey will remove bacteria and make it safer. However, it’s virtually impossible to wash bacteria off the bird. Instead, juices that splash during washing can transfer bacteria onto the surfaces of your kitchen, other foods and utensils.

What do I put in the bottom of the pan when cooking a turkey?

Place chopped onions, celery, and carrots in the bottom of the roasting pan. Pick a few herbs off the stalks and add to the vegetables.

Should I cover my turkey with aluminum foil?

We’ve found that covering a turkey in foil yields much moister results than roasting it without foil, and we favor simply covering up the breast to even out cooking time.

Should you cover a turkey in oven?

Roast the Turkey

Now, you’re ready for the oven! Roast the turkey uncovered in a 325°F oven for 2 hours. (Note: Roasting the turkey uncovered at the start of the bake time will increase the browning, so keep an eye on it.)

Can I leave my turkey out overnight to thaw?

Can you leave a turkey out to thaw overnight, perhaps? The short answer is no. Here are the wrong ways to thaw your bird and the safest way to thaw a turkey.

Should I put butter or oil on my turkey?

Don’t butter your bird

Placing butter under the skin won’t make the meat juicier, though it might help the skin brown faster. However, butter is about 17 percent water, and it will make your bird splotchy, says López-Alt. Instead, rub the skin with vegetable oil before you roast.

Do you add broth when cooking a turkey?

I also like to add 1 cup chicken broth/stock to the bottom of the turkey pan before beginning the cooking. This will create a steam room-type environment in the oven, which help keep the breast moist but will not prevent browning of the skin.

Is it better to cook a turkey on a rack?

The main reason is that a rack literally lifts the turkey off the bottom of the pan. This ensures that hot air circulates around the bird as it’s roasting, producing a more even cook by allowing heat to reach every surface of the skin.

What is the best temperature to cook turkey?

Stick with a temperature of 325°F, which ensures the turkey gets cooked all the way without becoming overdone.

Do you need to baste a turkey?

Basting the skin is not necessary to flavor the meat. You’ll flavor the skin, but you’ll also let heat out of the oven each time you open it to baste. “That means the bird is going to be in there for a longer time cooking, which means it’s going to dry out more,” Brown says.

Do you put an apple in a turkey?

Apples. Consider quartering an apple or two for stuffing your turkey. They will provide the turkey with a little extra moisture during the cooking process and a very subtle flavor that will remind you of fall.

Why do you salt the cavity of a turkey?

Salting turkey in advance is one way to season the meat and keep it juicy. When salt is applied to raw poultry, juices inside are drawn to the surface. The salt then dissolves in the exuded liquid, forming a brine that is eventually reabsorbed by the poultry.

Why put an orange in a turkey?

The fresh citrus creates a porous area inside the cavity and provides moisture that steams and seasons the meat. Adding herbs that complement the citrus and turkey is a simple way to stuff the bird, and creates a fresh, flavorful meat.

Should you put water in turkey roasting pan?

Add about a half-inch of liquid (water or stock) to the roasting pan. This will keep the oven moist, and the turkey juicy.

Should I put water in the bottom of my roasting pan?

No, when roasting, you should not add water to the pan. Water in the pan will steam the food rather than roast it, making the food soggy and less flavorful. This is a good rule for roasting any type of meat.

Should I butter my turkey the night before?

Absolutely! In fact, buttering your turkey the night before not only saves you time the day your roast, but many believe allowing the butter to sit overnight on and under the skin infuses even more flavor into the turkey.