How Long to Cook a Turkey 350 March 2023 El Reno Ok

Table of Contents

Introduction

Thanksgiving is a holiday that revolves around meat—specifically turkey. And while you could wing it and hope for the best, it’s better to be prepared with an accurate temperature reading. You can use this reading to determine how long (and at what temperature) your turkey will need to cook before it’s done.

The best way to cook a turkey is to use a digital probe thermometer to take the temperature of the center of your bird.

Use a digital probe thermometer to take the temperature of the center of your bird. Insert the probe into the thickest part of the breast, avoiding any bones or joints. It should reach down close to where you’ll find your turkey’s legs (but don’t go so far as to touch them).
If you want to be extra accurate, place a second probe in one leg and another in another leg; this will give you an idea of how much different parts of your turkey are cooking at any given time. You can also use this method if you’re planning on making gravy from drippings–by measuring each part separately, it will help ensure that all parts reach their ideal doneness at about the same time!

Once you have an accurate reading, you can use it as a guide for how long to cook your turkey.

Place the thermometer in the thickest part of the breast and set your oven for 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cook until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F–about 15 minutes per pound or 25 to 30 minutes per kilogram (2 pounds equals 1 kilogram).

For example, if your turkey is stuffed, let it rest before removing the stuffing and carving it.

For example, if your turkey is stuffed, let it rest before removing the stuffing and carving it. This will ensure that the juices stay in the turkey rather than running out. If you remove the stuffing too early or too late, this can be disastrous for your meal!

The average size turkey (12 pounds) will take about 3 hours and 15 minutes to cook in an oven set at 350 F.

If you’re unsure how long it will take your turkey to reach the right temperature, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. When the thickest part of your breast registers 165 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, remove it from heat and let rest for 20 minutes before carving.

A large 20-pounder will take about 4 hours and 35 minutes at 350 F.

If you’re cooking a 20-pound turkey, it will take about 4 hours and 35 minutes to reach an internal temperature of 165 F. You can use a digital probe thermometer to get an accurate reading. Here are some general guidelines:

For every 5 pounds increase in weight, add 10 minutes to the cooking time. For example, if your turkey weighs 16 pounds (2 times as much), then allow 20 minutes more than what is recommended above for cooking time.
If you want to be even more precise with your cooking times, consult this chart from Cook’s Illustrated magazine: [link]

And a massive 30-pound bird will take about 5 hours and 50 minutes at 350 F.

The longer a turkey is cooked, the more moisture it loses. So if you’re planning to cook your bird for longer than 3 hours, be sure to baste it with some kind of liquid (and then keep basting!) during the cooking process.

If you’re cooking a smaller turkey–say, one that’s only 9 pounds–then expect it to take about 2 hours and 45 minutes at 350 degrees F. A larger 20-pounder will take about 4 hours and 35 minutes; an even bigger 30-pounder will require 5 hours 50 minutes!

Get an accurate temperature reading before cooking your turkey

Before you start cooking, it’s important to get an accurate temperature reading. A digital probe thermometer is the best way to do this. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of your turkey (usually near its breast), then take its temperature. Use that number as a guide for how long to cook your bird–it should be around 160 degrees F at this point (and no higher than 165 degrees F).

Conclusion

If you’re cooking a turkey for the first time, it can be a little intimidating. But once you get an accurate temperature reading and know how long each part of the process will take, it’s really not that hard at all. And if you follow these tips for cooking the perfect turkey this year (or anytime!), we promise it’ll turn out even better than expected!