How Long to Cook a 24 Pound Turkey

Introduction

Thanksgiving is the perfect excuse to make a lot of delicious food. But while most people think of turkey as being one of the easiest (and tastiest) meats to prepare, it can actually be tricky to get right if you’re not sure how long to cook it for. Luckily, with some simple measurements and a little math, cooking your Thanksgiving turkey will be easy peasy!

The perfect Thanksgiving turkey is a big bird.

A 24-pound turkey is a big bird. If you’re cooking for a crowd, this might be the right size for you.

A whole turkey should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, so if you want to make sure that your 24-pounder comes out perfectly cooked without any risk of food poisoning, use an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of its thigh (not touching bone).

If you choose to roast it in an oven at 350 degrees F for about 5 hours until done, then a 24 pounder will take about 5 hours to cook through completely–but don’t overcook! Remember that all ovens vary slightly in temperature control and evenness throughout their heating elements–so check on your bird frequently as it cooks by inserting a probe thermometer into its thickest part without touching bone–you want it to read 160 degrees F when fully done.

A typical turkey will weigh between 10 and 20 pounds, which is the ideal size for a small family or group of four to six people.

how-long-to-cook-a-24-pound-turkey

A typical turkey will weigh between 10 and 20 pounds, which is the ideal size for a small family or group of four to six people. If you’re cooking for more than 6 people, you can cook more than one turkey at once.

If you’re planning on cooking a 24-pound bird, keep in mind that it will take longer than most other turkeys because it’s so large and needs extra time to cook through all its meaty goodness!

If you’re cooking a 24 pound turkey, it will take about 5 hours to roast in the oven at 350 degrees F.

If you’re cooking a 24-pound turkey, it will take about 5 hours to roast in the oven at 350 degrees F. The cooking time depends on weight of turkey and method of preparation.

The preferred method for cooking a turkey is roasting, which is done by inserting an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the breast (without touching bone) until it reaches 165 degrees F or higher. Allow 15 minutes per pound when using this method. For example: 15 minutes per pound means 5 hours for a 24 pound turkey!

The most important thing to remember when preparing your bird is to allow time for it to rest before carving.

The most important thing to remember when preparing your bird is to allow time for it to rest before carving. This allows the juices in the meat to redistribute, making it more tender and flavorful.

Also, if you have not had time to brine or marinate your turkey, this is another good reason why you should allow an hour or two of resting time before serving.

Turkey can also be cooked using other methods, such as brining or smoking.

Turkey can also be cooked using other methods, such as brining or smoking.

Brining is a process of soaking the turkey in a salt water solution. This helps to keep the meat moist, and it adds flavor to the bird’s skin. Brined turkeys are often smoked over low heat for several hours after they are removed from their brine bath. The result is a flavorful bird with tender, juicy meat that’s perfect for serving up at Thanksgiving dinner!

Smoking gives you even more control over how long it takes for your turkey to reach its desired doneness level–you can slow-cook it until it reaches 165 degrees F inside (or higher), depending on how much time you have before guests arrive at your house for dinner!

You may have a bit more time than you expected!

You may have a bit more time than you expected!

The turkey should rest for about 30 minutes before carving. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in moister, more flavorful slices. You can also use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your turkey as it cooks; this will help ensure that it’s cooked through without drying out or burning. If you’re going with an electric roaster and don’t have room in your ovens for two different dishes at once (like another dish), consider using an external thermometer instead–it will alert you when both birds are ready!

When cooking large birds like turkeys and chickens, basting is crucial for keeping them moist while they cook evenly throughout their entire bodies: Use either water or a mixture of melted butter/oil along with herbs such as thyme or rosemary; brush every 15 minutes or so until done (about 20 minutes per pound).

Conclusion

If you’re cooking a 24 pound turkey, it will take about 5 hours to roast in the oven at 350 degrees F. The most important thing to remember when preparing your bird is to allow time for it to rest before carving. Turkey can also be cooked using other methods, such as brining or smoking.

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