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You have your bird, but how long, exactly, should you plan to cook it to ensure Thanksgiving dinner is served on time? Here's a handy turkey cooking chart.
By
Samantha Leffler
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Samantha Leffler
Samantha is the senior food editor at RealSimple and previously launched the US Weekly food vertical, where she wrote about the intersection of food and pop culture.
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Updated on October 16, 2023
Medically reviewed by
Kristy Del Coro, MS, RDN, LDN
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Medically reviewed byKristy Del Coro, MS, RDN, LDN
Kristy Del Coro is a registered dietitian nutritionist, RDN, and professionally trained chef with more than 10 years of experience in the field of culinary nutrition. Her strong background in nutrition science, sustainable food systems, and culinary education makes her exceptionally qualified to write about food that is good for us and the planet—while not sacrificing flavor.
Fact checked by
Haley Mades
Fact checked byHaley Mades
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No Thanksgiving guest is more important than the turkey. But you might have a late arrival on your hands if you don't get it in the oven on time. Planning a 3 p.m. meal? You'll need to have a 20-pound bird (sans stuffing) cooking by around 10:30 a.m. Don't stress about the math though—follow our easy chart for how long to cook a turkey, plus recommendations from the USDA for cooking frozen and stuffed turkeys.
Just remember: Even with this turkey cooking chart, the safest way to know your turkey is cooked is to use a meat thermometer. Your turkey is done when the internal temperature is minimum 165°F.
How to Take a Turkey's Temperature
How Long Does it Take to Cook a Turkey?
While the best temperature to cook a turkey is always 325°F, how much time your bird will need in the oven will depend on its weight. An unstuffed 8-pound turkey can take less than 3 hours, while a stuffed 24-pound turkey can take over 5 hours. Here's how long it takes to cook a fully thawed turkey.
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How Long to Cook an Unstuffed Turkey
| Weight | Cook Time | Servings |
| 8 to 12 pounds | 2¾ to 3 hours | 5 to 8 |
| 12 to 14 pounds | 3 to 3¾ hours | 8 to 9 |
| 14 to 18 pounds | 3¾ to 4¼ hours | 9 to 12 |
| 18 to 20 pounds | 4¼ to 4½ hours | 12 to 13 |
| 20 to 24 pounds | 4½ to 5 hours | 13 to 16 |
How Long to Cook an Stuffed Turkey
| Weight | Cook Time | Servings |
| 8 to 12 pounds | 3 to 3½ hours | 6 to 9 |
| 12 to 14 pounds | 3½ to 4 hours | 9 to 10 |
| 14 to 18 pounds | 4 to 4¼ hours | 10 to 13 |
| 18 to 20 pounds | 4¼ to 4¾ hours | 13 to 14 |
| 20 to 24 pounds | 4¾ to 5¼ hours | 14 to 17 |
Can You Cook a Frozen Turkey?
It is safe to cook a turkey from the frozen state, according to the USDA. However, the cooking time will be at least 50 percent longer than what's recommended in the table above.
How to Thaw a Frozen Turkey
Cooking a Stuffed Turkey Guidelines
For safety reasons, the USDA recommends cooking Thanksgiving stuffing outside your turkey to guarantee uniform doneness. If you do choose to stuff it, check the temp of the center of the stuffing to make sure it, too, reaches the safe 165°F (otherwise bacteria could contaminate your cooked turkey). Keep wet stuffing ingredients refrigerated ahead of time, and separate from dry ingredients until just before mixing, stuffing loosely and cooking.
Sticking with a casserole dish? You should still cook the stuffing to 165°F. If you're caught without a thermometer, don't stress: Here's how to know if a turkey's done without a thermometer.
How to Carve a Turkey
For more turkey and stuffing safety and cooking tips, check out the USDA's site.
How to Know When a Turkey Is Done Cooking
So, how do you know when a turkey is ready to eat? Per the USDA, a bird is done when the internal temperature is, at a minimum, 165 degrees. The best way to measure the temperature of your turkey is to use a meat thermometer, which should be inserted into the thickest part of the thigh.
If you don’t have a meat thermometer, you can also check the turkey’s doneness by cutting slits in the meat and seeing if the juices run clear. While this method is less reliable than using a meat thermometer, it still works. Either way, now it's time to carve the turkey!
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Real Simple is committed to using high-quality, reputable sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts in our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we fact check our content for accuracy.
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