Cooking Time for a Stuffed Turkey
You’ve selected your favorite stuffing recipe, dressed the turkey in a turkey rub, and stuffed the bird. The oven is preheating, your make-ahead sides are set, and the pies are cooling on a rack. You’re almost there. But what’s the cooking time for the turkey? Take a moment to pat yourself on the back, because you’re almost there. We’re sharing exactly how long you should cook a stuffed turkey. First, what’s the cooking time per pound for a stuffed turkey? Using a 325°F oven, here’s a rough per pound guide from the pros at foodsafety.gov. These stuffed turkey cooking times have been tested and proven to work well by our Test Kitchen team:
For 10- to 12-pound turkey, roast 3¼ hours to 3½ hours.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.
The safest way to determine your exact roasting time is by checking every 15 minutes or so after the 3-hour mark using a meat thermometer. This probe thermometer (Target) lets you keep an eye on the turkey temp without opening and closing the oven. When cooking a stuffed turkey, the temperature should read 165°F in the stuffing, 170°F in the breast, and 175°F in the thigh. Note that after removing the turkey from the oven, the temperature of the meat will rise about 5°F. For the most delicious results, place a loose foil cover over your turkey and let it stand for about 10 minutes before carving. This ensures the meat has time to rest. Be sure to remove the stuffing before carving and add it to a separate serving dish. If you follow these tips for how to cook a stuffed turkey, you’re sure to serve a perfectly roasted dinner every time.
