It's Thanksgiving day, you're staring at the oven, and wondering what temperature to cook the turkey. Is it better to cook it at 325 degrees or 350 degrees? The Internet has all different answers but how do you know which is the right number? Roast the bird at too high a temp and it might emerge burned and drier than Aunt Barb's stuffing. But if the oven temp is too low, you risk having flabby skin and raw poultry. Either culinary calamity would have Gordon Ramsay yelling at you into Black Friday.
Even if your guests aren't shouty star chefs, you still don't want to disappoint them with a subpar turkey. It's the main character for the holiday feast and you can't afford to muck it up. Some sources say to start the oven at a high temperature, like 425°F then lower the temp later on. Others have different temps for stuffed, unstuffed and birds of different weights. However, after decades of testing, we found the one Goldilocks temperature for turkey is 375℉. It’s not too hot, not too cold and cooks quickly enough to ensure that a bird is juuust right by dinnertime. If you're wondering what temperature to cook a stuffed turkey, it's the same number: 375℉. What temperature do you cook a 16-pound turkey? 375℉. How about one that's 20 pounds? Take a guess. If you said 375℉, bingo!
To make your life easier (on a day when so much is going on), the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen experts assembled a handy chart that tells you how long to cook a turkey per pound for all different weights. We also have timings for cooking the bird stuffed vs. unstuffed as well as for turkey breast. If your turkey is still frozen on Thanksgiving day, we have a solution for that common dilemma, too.
There are a few other pre-roasting preparations to factor into your timing: thawing your bird if it's frozen and seasoning your turkey with a flavor-boosting dry brine. Before you put that main course in the oven, make sure your kitchen is equipped with the right tools. While a timer is helpful to keep track of the hours, the real hero for roasting is a great meat thermometer, which will register the internal temperature for perfect results every time. Studies have shown that you can't rely on the pop-up timer that comes with some turkeys — they sometimes pop before the meat inside reaches a safe temperature for consumption!
What temperature to cook an unstuffed turkey:
The one and only answer you need is 375°F. Below are cooking times for an unstuffed turkey by pre-stuffed weight at this temperature:
- Turkey 8 to 10 lbs: 1 hr 45 mins–2 hrs 15 mins
- Turkey 10 to 12 lbs: 2 hrs 15 mins–2 hrs 30 mins
- Turkey 12 to 14 lbs: 2 hrs 30 mins–3 hrs
- Turkey 14 to 16 lbs: 3 hrs–3 hrs 30 mins
- Turkey 16 to 18 lbs: 3 hrs 30 mins–4 hrs
- Turkey 18 to 20 lbs: 4 hrs–4 hrs 15 mins
What temperature to cook a stuffed turkey:
Again, the answer is 375°F. Below are the cooking times for a stuffed turkey by pre-stuffed weight at this temperature:
- Turkey 6 to 8 pounds (breast only): 2 hrs 30 mins–3 hrs 30 mins
- Turkey 8 to 12 pounds: 3 hrs–3 hrs 30 mins
- Turkey 12 to 14 pounds: 3 hrs 30 mins–4 hrs
- Turkey 14 to 18 pounds: 4 hrs–4 hrs 15 mins
- Turkey 18 to 20 pounds: 4 hrs 15 mins–4 hrs 45 mins
- Turkey 20 to 24 pounds: 4 hrs 45 mins–5 hrs 15 mins
What temperature to cook a frozen turkey:
Let's say it out loud for the people in the back: 375°F! Bump up the time if your turkey is still a little bit frozen on Thanksgiving morning. It's actually completely safe to roast an icy turkey, but it’ll take about 50% longer to cook than a fully thawed bird. Dinner might have to wait a few hours — hey, more time for Thanksgiving appetizers — but you'll still be rewarded with a delicious turkey.
How long to cook a turkey per pound:
For a ballpark estimate on timing, figure about 13 minutes per pound of turkey when cooking an unstuffed bird. A stuffed turkey takes longer to cook; count on about 15 minutes per pound for a stuffed turkey. Although, we definitely recommend roasting the turkey unstuffed. Why? You'd have to overcook your bird to ensure the stuffing inside reaches a safe temperature. And no amount of Thanksgiving gravy can save turkey that dry. The better way? Bake your stuffing recipe in a separate pan. If you’re curious about how long it will take when cooking your turkey upside down, you might want to reconsider that method altogether. According to our Test Kitchen pros, it doesn’t lead to a juicier bird and all that flipping isn't just a messy hassle, it can actually be dangerous!
What size turkey is best for Thanksgiving?
Bigger isn’t better when it comes to turkey. Buy two smaller birds (or one whole turkey and one turkey breast) if you’re feeding a crowd. A pair of 10-pound birds will cook more evenly and stay juicier than a 20-pound beast (not to mention, they'll be easier to carve!).
At what temperature is turkey done?
To check if the turkey is done, insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh. The internal temperature should register 165°F and its juices should be clear, not pink.
How long to rest the turkey after cooking?
Allow your turkey to rest for at least 25 minutes after cooking, then you can begin carving. Cover it loosely with foil to keep it hot.
Susan (she/her) is the recipe editor at Good Housekeeping, where she pitches ideas, parses words, and produces food content. In the Test Kitchen, she cooks (and samples!) recipes, working with developers to deliver the best written versions possible. A graduate of Brown University and a collaborator on several cookbooks, her previous experience includes stints at Food & Wine, Food Network, three meal kit companies, a wine shop in Brooklyn and Chez Panisse, the pioneering restaurant in Berkeley, California. She enjoys playing tennis, natural wines and reality competition shows.
Samantha (she/her) is the Senior Editor at Delish, where she edits the most-talked-about food news and features on the internet. In her previous role as Assistant Editor in the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, she taste-tested hundreds of products and recipes (tough job!). A graduate of Fordham University, she considers the kitchen to be her happiest place.
