How Long To Cook A Turkey Per Pound

This Thanksgiving holiday, learn how to find the right temperature and time for your weight of turkey.

Every holiday, whether you’re cooking your first turkey or you’ve cooked 70 of them, making the perfect turkey recipe can be a beast to tackle. There are a lot of sides recipes to juggle, oven times to consider, calculations to make for how much turkey to buy per person ― and oh, you might want to take a shower and eat lunch at some point?

Once you have a meat thermometer, your secret weapon is learning the weight of your turkey. One you know that, you can calculate roughly how long to cook it ― whether you’re roasting, grilling or deep-frying. We’ve taken stuffing into account (if you choose to stuff your bird), and even given some consideration to those who forgot it was Thanksgiving and need to cook a frozen turkey (we know you’re out there.)

And if you’re cooking a heritage or pasture-raised turkey, keep in mind that it’ll take a little longer because of the different body composition of the bird!

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OKRAD via Getty Images
Turkey Temperature
The best way to know when your turkey is done is by its temperature. The USDA says a turkey is safe when "cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165°F as measured with a food thermometer. Check the internal temperature in the innermost part of the thigh and wing and the thickest part of the breast."
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The Washington Post via Getty Images
Don't Trust The Pop-Up Timer
If your turkey has a "pop-up" temperature indicator, it is recommended that you also check the internal temperature of the turkey in the innermost part of the thigh and wing and the thickest part of the breast with a food thermometer. The minimum internal temperature should reach 165°F for safety.
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USDA
How Long To Cook A Turkey -- Basic Roasting
This table from the USDA is based on a 325°F oven, and a fully defrosted or fresh bird. (For an unstuffed bird, we're talking roughly 15 minutes per pound.)

If you want to cook a frozen turkey, it will take at least 50 percent longer than the recommended times.
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Flickr: eagleapex
How Long To Cook A Turkey -- Convection Oven
Your turkey will cook faster in a 325°F convection oven.

8lbs: 1.25 hours
12 lbs: 1.75 hours
14 lbs: 2 hours
18 lbs: 3 hours
20 lbs: 4 hours
24 lbs: 4.25 hours

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Flickr: BrownGuacamole
How Long To Cook A Turkey -- On The Grill
Timing on a grilled turkey is tricky since every grill is vastly different, but here's a rough guide based on weight.
8 lbs: 90 mins
12 lbs: 135 mins
14 lbs: 180 mins
18 lbs: 210 mins
20 lbs: 225 mins

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GettyStock
How Long To Cook A Turkey: Deep Frying
According to theperfectturkey.com: "A deep fried turkey takes about 3 to 5 minutes per pound when cooked in 350 degree F oil."
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Flickr: Muffet
Let Your Turkey Rest!
See how the turkey is shoved off to the side, getting ignored? Do this. For at least 30 minutes. The juices need time to re-absorb into the meat -- which will make it taste way better and also make carving the bird much easier.

Seriously, you can reheat it later or pour hot gravy over it. Let. It. Rest.

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Before You Go

Turkey-Carving Tools For Thanksgiving
A carving set(01 of04)
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This two-piece Messertmeister set includes an 8-inch carving knife and a 7-inch fork to give you the control you need to make long, smooth slices. (credit:Amazon)
A budget-friendly slicing knife(02 of04)
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This Mercer knife features an 11-inch blade and can be used for any type of meat that you want to slice all year long. (credit:Amazon)
A sharpening whetstone(03 of04)
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Whetstones (also known as sharpening stones or water stones) are the preferred tool for sharpening knives because they give you, the cook, complete control. Sharpening stones are basically long, rectangular blocks of composite stone, typically with a coarse grit on one side and a fine grit on the other side. Read our guide to learn how to use one. (credit:Amazon)
A honing steel(04 of04)
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Most people confuse a honing steel with a sharpener. It’s a ridged metal wand that you run your knife across (you’ve probably seen flashy cooking show contestants dramatically swiping them through the air like swashbucklers with swords.) While a honing steel does help a knife slice better, it doesn’t actually sharpen the blade. Rather, it re-aligns the microscopic teeth on your knife's blades that get out of alignment through daily use, making your knife feel sharper. It's an everyday must-have! (credit:Amazon)

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