Turkey Cooking Guidelines

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Turkey Cooking Guidelines
Oven-Roasted at 325°F
Approximate Cooking Time
Stuffed
Type
Weight
Unstuffed
8–12 lbs.
2¾–3 hrs.
3–3½ hrs.
Turkey (whole)
3½–4 hrs.
12–14 lbs.
3–3¾ hrs.
Turkey (whole)
4–4¼ hrs.
14–18 lbs.
3¾–4¼ hrs.
Turkey (whole)
4¼–4¾ hrs.
18–20 lbs.
4¼–4½ hrs.
Turkey (whole)
4¾–5½ hrs.
20–24 lbs.
4½–5 hrs.
Turkey (whole)
2–3 lbs.
50–60 min.
Breast (half)
4–6 lbs.
1½–2¼ hrs.
Breast (whole)
6–8 lbs.
2¼–3¼ hrs.
Breast (whole)
¾–1 lb.
2–2¼ hrs.
Drumsticks
¾–1 lb.
1¾–2 hrs.
Thighs
6–8 oz.
1¾–2¼ hrs.
Wings
Note: Start with the turkey at refrigerator temperature. Remove the turkey from the oven when the meat
thermometer reads 175°-180°F; the temperature will continue to rise as the turkey stands.
Grilled
Approximate Cooking Time
Stuffed
Type
Weight
Unstuffed
8–12 lbs.
2–3 hrs.
Whole turkey (indirect heat)
12–16 lbs.
3–4 hrs.
Whole turkey (indirect heat)
Note: When grilling with indirect heat, generally the coals (or burners on a gas grill) are heated to a
high heat. When grilling with direct heat the coals (or burners on a gas grill) are heated to a medium
heat. Use these heat settings unless you have a recipe that states something different. Internal
temperature should be 180°F.
Turkey Cooked at 350°F in an Oven Bag
Approximate Cooking Time
Regular-Size
Large-Size
Turkey-Size
Oven Bag
Oven Bag
Oven Bag
Type
Weight
10" x 16"
14" x 20"
19" x 23½"
8–12 lbs.
1½–2 hrs.
Whole turkey (unstuffed)
12–16 lbs.
2–2½ hrs.
Whole turkey (unstuffed)
16–20 lbs.
2½–3 hrs.
Whole turkey (unstuffed)
20–24 lbs.
3–3½ hrs.
Whole turkey (unstuffed)
8–12 lbs.
2–2½ hrs.
Whole turkey (stuffed)
12–16 lbs.
2½–3 hrs.
Whole turkey (stuffed)
16–20 lbs.
3–3½ hrs.
Whole turkey (stuffed)
20–24 lbs.
3½–4 hrs.
Whole turkey (stuffed)
4–8 lbs.
1¼–2 hrs.
Turkey breast (bone-in)
10–12 lbs.
2¼–2¾ hrs.
Turkey breast (bone-in)
2½–3 lbs.
1¼–1¾ hrs.
Turkey breast (boneless)
2–2¼ hrs.
Turkey breast (boneless)
5 lbs.
8–12 lbs.
3–3½ hrs.
Turkey breast (boneless)
1½–2 lbs.
1½–1¾ hrs.
Turkey drumsticks
2–3 lbs.
1½–1¾ hrs.
Turkey drumsticks
Oven Bag Instructions: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Add 1 tablespoon flour to the oven bag and
distribute evenly on the inside of the bag prior to inserting the turkey. Brush the turkey with vegetable
oil or butter. Remove the turkey from the oven when the meat thermometer reaches 175°- 180°F. If
using a turkey-size oven bag for a turkey smaller than 12 lbs., gather the oven bag loosely around the
meat allowing room for heat circulation; then close the bag with a nylon tie, and cut away any excess
oven bag.

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