How long do you cook a 40 lb turkey?

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You should get an accurate thermometer to be sure that you roast the turkey just right. Rub oil or butter on it and cook it unstuffed. don`t cover it until it`s cooked about 2/3 done,We cooked at 325 for about 4 hrs.

How long do you cook a 42 pound turkey?

The general rule is 15 to 20 minutes per pound of turkey when cooking an unstuffed turkey.

How long do you cook a 38 pound turkey?

How long to cook a turkey per pound? For an unstuffed turkey (fresh or defrosted), the general rule is about 15 minutes per pound at a 325°F regular oven according to the USDA.

How do you cook a 45 pound turkey?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Is there such a thing as a 50 pound turkey?

Mike Christianson, of the Poly Food Basket meat department, looks at a 50-pound turkey he has on display from the Martinsdale Hutterite Colony. Christianson sells up to 500 turkeys for the colony, but said he has never seen one so large.

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How long does it take to cook a 30 lb turkey?

How Long to Cook a 30-Pound Turkey

  1. 24- to 30-pound turkey cooking time (unstuffed): Cook for 4½ to 5 hours at 325°F.
  2. 24- to 30-pound turkey cooking time (stuffed): Cook for 5½ to 6¼ hours at 325°F.

Should I cover my turkey with 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.

How long does it take to cook a 37 lb turkey?

Turkey Breast: 16 minutes per lb @350° F. Use a meat thermometer to get breast temperature to 180 F° before serving.

Ready to Cook Weight (Before Stuffing) Estimated Cook Time Internal Temperature
34 – 37 lbs. 5¼ – 5¾ Hours 180 – 185° F

When should I tent my turkey?

Tenting the Turkey – In the beginning, a tent of aluminum foil may be place loosely over the breast of the turkey for the first 1 to 1-1/2 hours, then removed for browning. Or, a tent of foil may be placed over the turkey after the turkey has reached the desired golden brown.

How many minutes per pound do you cook turkey?

Calculate turkey cooking time and temperature. 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. turkey), or 15 minutes per pound for a stuffed turkey.

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.

Should turkey be at room temperature 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 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

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 bake a turkey?

Our Best Turkey Tips

  • Buy two smaller birds (or one whole turkey and one turkey breast) if you’re feeding a crowd.
  • The Test Kitchen agrees that 375℉ is the best temperature to cook a turkey, because it’s not too hot, not too cold, and cooks quickly enough to ensure that a juicy, flavorful bird is ready by dinnertime.

How often should you baste your turkey?

How often to 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 you tell if a turkey is done without a thermometer?

To find out if your turkey is done without a thermometer, pierce it with a fork in the mid-thigh muscle, explains Nicole Johnson, the co-director of the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line. “When the juices run clear, and no longer reddish or pink in color, it’s a good indication that your turkey is done.”

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.

Do you rest a turkey covered or uncovered?

A large bird can wait up to 40 minutes or longer, depending on the temperature of the room. Cover it with foil, but loosely; you don’t want to seal in the moisture, which will cause the skin to steam and lose whatever level of crispness you’ve achieved.

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.

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.

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Can I cook a turkey at 300 degrees?

Slow, steady cooking works best, keeping in mind that the lower the temperature, the longer the cooking. Good results can be had by roasting at 300 degrees Fahrenheit, but you can also achieve excellent results at 325 F. The rule of thumb is to select a lower temperature if you allow sufficient time in advance.

Does a stuffed turkey take longer to cook?

Cover turkey loosely with a tent of heavy-duty aluminum foil. 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 much longer should you cook a stuffed turkey?

While the best temperature to cook a turkey is always 325 degrees 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.

How long dies it take to cook a stuffed turkey?

Bake turkey, uncovered, at 325° for 3-3/4 to 4-1/2 hours or until a thermometer reads 165° when inserted in center of stuffing and the thigh reaches at least 170°, basting occasionally with pan drippings. (Cover loosely with foil if turkey browns too quickly.)

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.

Can a turkey weigh 60 pounds?

A turkey could feasibly reach 70 pounds or more, said Sally Noll, a poultry expert at the University of Minnesota. Practically speaking, though, most are butchered at about 22 pounds, the size of the average holiday bird, according to the turkey federation.

Whats the most expensive turkey?

A special variety known as KellyBronze has been called the “Rolls-Royce of turkeys” by the Times of London — and it has the price tag to match the moniker. The birds go for upwards of $13 per pound, meaning that a large turkey can cost well over $300.

How long do you cook an unstuffed 20 lb turkey?

Cooking time will vary. For example, a 20 pound turkey will take 4 1/4 to 5 hours to cook, check the temperature on the thermometer after 4 1/4 hours.

How long do I cook a 28 lb turkey?

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. A stuffed bird may cook at the same rate as an unstuffed one; however, be prepared to allow 30 to 50 minutes longer.

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.

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.

Do Butterball turkeys have butter in them?

In fact, there is no actual butter in or on a Butterball turkey. The fresh turkeys are injected with a basting solution made of salt water and “common household spices,” one brand representative told me. Butterball will not share the ingredients of its secret basting formula.

How long do you cook a turkey at 300 degrees?

Slow roast the turkey at 300F. Using a digital thermometer, start testing the internal temperature in the meatiest part of the thigh after 6 hours. Keep the bird in the oven until the temperature reads 140F. Remove the foil from the turkey.

How long do I 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.

What does tent with foil mean?

To tent with aluminum foil means to cover a frame with aluminum foil in order to create a makeshift shelter.

What do you put in the turkey cavity when not using stuffing?

Herbs. The secret to adding extra flavor to your Thanksgiving turkey is to season it liberally. To make sure that your favorite herbs permeate every bit of your bird, stuff a small bundle into the turkey cavity. Thyme, sage, parsley and a bit of rosemary are a great combination—but feel free to customize to your taste.

How long do you leave the foil on the turkey?

For stuffed turkey, add 30 minutes to roasting time. To brown turkey, remove foil tent after 1 hour of roasting. For easy slicing, cover turkey with foil and let stand 15 minutes.

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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.

Do you cook turkey breast side up or down?

The United States Department of Agriculture advises to cook a whole turkey breast side up during the entire cooking time. Turning over a large, hot bird can be dangerous and it’s very easy to tear the skin, making the finished product less attractive.

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.

Is pink turkey safe to eat?

The best way to be sure a turkey — or any meat — is cooked safely and done is to use a meat thermometer. If the temperature of the turkey, as measured in the thigh, has reached 180°F. and is done to family preference, all the meat — including any that remains pink — is safe to eat.

Can I leave the turkey out overnight?

Cooked turkey that has been left out for longer than 2 hours (or 1 hour above 90° F) should be discarded. The reason is that bacteria grow rapidly when cooked turkey is kept at temperatures between 40° F and 140° F. To prevent foodborne illness, try to refrigerate the cooked turkey as soon as you can.

How long does it take to cook a 33 lb turkey?

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.

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 it take to cook a 24.5 pound 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.

Should I put foil over my turkey?

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. Some people swear that roasting a turkey breast-side down and flipping it halfway through achieves the same results as a foil covered breast.

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 should never wash your turkey?

Despite popular belief, food experts warn that washing turkey and other raw meats isn’t an effective way to remove germs. In fact, it’s more likely to send harmful bacteria that causes salmonella and other food-borne illnesses splashing onto the sink and other kitchen surfaces.

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.

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.

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.

Do you add broth when roasting a turkey?

When roasting a turkey without water, the turkey will produce its own flavorful juices. After cooking, you can extend the turkey’s juices with broth or wine, then add it to your gravy for extra flavor.

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.