Countdown to Thanksgiving: Cooking the Turkey
This article may give readers some idea about how long to cook a turkey. Please note that how long to cook a turkey depends upon a number of variables such as the size of turkey and cooking temperature etc.
Posted by Diane Van, Manager, USDA's Meat and Poultry Hotline, on November 23, 2010 at 12:28 PM
November is the busiest month of the year for those of us on the USDA Meat & Poultry Hotline. During the week of Thanksgiving, we get lots of questions about how to safely cook a turkey. Here are answers to the questions we hear most often.
How can I tell when the turkey is done?
Whether you roast, brine, deep fry or smoke your turkey, always use a food thermometer to check the temperature of the meat. You won’t overcook your turkey, and you can ensure it has been cooked to a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F to destroy bacteria and prevent foodborne illness. Check the temperature in the innermost part of the thigh and wing and the thickest part of the breast. If the turkey is stuffed, the stuffing must also reach 165 °F.
How long to cook a turkey?
Use the Turkey Cooking Time Chart to determine how long to cook your turkey. These times are approximate and based on fresh or thawed birds at a refrigerator temperature of 40 °F or below.
Turkey Cooking Time Chart
For a fresh or thawed turkey:- Set the oven to 325 °F.
- Cook to 165 °F.
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