Introduction

Cooking a turkey for Thanksgiving? You’re in good company! I remember my first time cooking a whole turkey and being intimidated by the prospect of it taking hours to cook. As it turns out, though, turkeys are one of the easiest things to cook! I’ve put together some tips below on how long you should cook 15-pound turkeys at 325 degrees F (which is what most recipes call for). Once you know how long your bird needs to be in the oven, follow these steps:

Plan to start cooking the turkey 2 hours before it’s done.

To avoid a dry, overcooked turkey, you should plan to start cooking the turkey 2 hours before it’s done. This will allow plenty of time for the turkey to thaw and cook through.

In addition to this, there are several steps that need to be taken after cooking your Thanksgiving feast:

• Allow enough time for your turkey to rest before carving (about 15 minutes per pound).
• Letting your bird sit before cutting into it allows all those juices from inside its cavity and breast area collect in one place instead of being spread out throughout its body–which would make for less delicious gravy!

Let the turkey sit out for 30 minutes before placing it in the oven.

If you’re roasting a stuffed turkey, it’s important to let the meat sit out for 30 minutes before placing it in the oven. This will help redistribute juices and ensure that they are evenly distributed throughout the meat.

If you don’t have time to let your turkey sit out before cooking it, then at least allow it to rest for 10 minutes after cooking so that all those delicious juices can settle back into place!

You should cook 15-pound turkeys at 325 degrees F, uncovered.

The recommended cooking temperature for a 15-pound turkey is 325 degrees F. You should not cover the turkey while it cooks, but you can baste it occasionally with butter or olive oil if you like.

When your turkey is done, remove it from the oven and let it rest for about 20 minutes before carving so that all of the juices stay inside!

The internal temperature of your turkey should reach 165 degrees F when it’s ready.

The internal temperature of your turkey should reach 165 degrees F when it’s ready. This is the temperature at which bacteria are killed and a turkey is safe to eat, as well as being the recommended temperature for carving a bird. It’s also the point at which you can safely store a cooked turkey in the fridge for up to 5 days before serving or freezing it for up to one year.[1]

If you’re cooking a stuffed turkey, check the temperature of the stuffing as well as the turkey breast meat to ensure that both are at 165 degrees F.

If you’re cooking a stuffed turkey, check the temperature of the stuffing as well as the turkey breast meat to ensure that both are at 165 degrees F. If your stuffed bird is done but your stuffing isn’t, simply remove it from inside of your turkey and serve on the side.

By following these steps and using a thermometer, you can cook your turkey safely and enjoy delicious leftovers!

• Don’t overstuff the turkey. This will cause the meat to cook unevenly, and it’s not good for your health.
• Don’t cook the turkey for too long. Cooking times are approximate; you should always use a thermometer to ensure that your bird is cooked through before removing from heat.
• Don’t use a roasting bag or oven bag with your turkey–they can cause dangerous accidents in the kitchen! You can use some aluminum foil if you’d like, but don’t go overboard with it!
• Never microwave your holiday bird! It’s just not safe!

Conclusion

That’s it! You’re ready to cook your turkey. Just remember that it’s better to be safe than sorry, so use a thermometer and follow the steps we outlined above. Your Thanksgiving guests will thank you for their tasty meals and delicious leftovers!