How long does it take to cook a 20lb turkey at 350 degrees?

How long you cook your turkey can vary, depending on the temperature of the oven and whether or not your turkey recipe calls for a stuffed or unstuffed bird. We recommend roasting turkey at 350 degrees F for 13 minutes per pound for an unstuffed turkey.

How long does it take to cook a 20lb turkey at 300 degrees?

Rub oil over all sides of turkey. and place turkey in uncovered roasting pan in oven. Bake for 1 hours at 300 degrees to kill bacteria. Then lower oven heat to 180 degrees (desired internal temperature).

Is it better to cook a turkey at 325 or 350?

Roast the turkey uncovered at a temperature ranging from 325F to 350F. Higher temperatures may cause the meat to dry out, but this is preferable to temperatures that are too low which may not allow the interior of the turkey to cook to a safe temperature.

How do I keep my turkey moist?

For moist meat without the hassle of clearing fridge space to soak the bird in a vat of brining liquid, try a dry brine. Salting a turkey and letting it rest before roasting seasons it deeply and helps it retain moisture.

Should I cover my turkey with aluminum foil?

Many people think covering the bird in foil after cooking it is a way to keep moisture in. However, according to turkey farmer Paul Kelly, this is actually the worst thing you can do.

Is it better to cook a turkey covered or uncovered?

A: The Butterball folks recommend cooking the turkey uncovered in a roasting pan. Two-thirds of the way through cooking, Butterball says foil can be placed over the breast area to prevent it from drying out.

Should you put water in turkey roasting pan?

We do not recommend adding water to the bottom of the pan. Cooking a turkey with steam is a moist heat-cook method and is acceptable, sure, but is not the preferred method for cooking your turkey.” The meat will be less flavorful by cooking via steam instead of roasting.

How often should you baste a turkey?

Basting is optional when roasting a turkey. To ensure a moist turkey, the key is to not overcook it. Try using a remote digital thermometer that will alert you when the turkey is fully cooked yet still juicy. If you choose to baste the bird, do so every 30 minutes.

Should I rub butter on my turkey?

Don’t butter your bird Placing butter under the skin won’t make the meat juicier, though it might help the skin brown faster. However, butter is about 17 percent water, and it will make your bird splotchy, says López-Alt. Instead, rub the skin with vegetable oil before you roast.

Can I butter my turkey the night before?

Suggestion: Prepare the turkey by placing the compound butter under the skin and rubbing it all over the outside of the turkey as well, then let it sit overnight in the refrigerator.

How long should turkey sit out before cooking?

1 hour

Is it safe to cook a turkey on low overnight?

Roast the turkey while you sleep and get ready in the morning (as long as 9-11 hours). Don’t worry about basting; the low temperature and moisture from the water will cook it gently.

Is it better to cook a turkey at a lower temperature?

It’s okay to cook the bird over temperature. The meat will seize and then yield and become even more tender as it cooks, so I typically cook my bird to 180 F. Tent the bird with foil if you notice it browning too quickly.

Should I start my turkey at a higher temperature?

Cooking time and temperature While some cooks like to blast the turkey with high heat (425°F) for 30 minutes and then reduce the temperature, I prefer the simple, carefree method of an even 325°F from start to finish. If your turkey is large, the hot air may have trouble circulating and may create hot spots.

What is the best temperature to cook a turkey?

Put the turkey in the oven at 400°F, uncovered. For the 15 lb turkey, start the cooking at 400°F for the first 20 minutes to brown it. Then reduce the heat to 325°F for the next 1 to 2 hours, until the internal temperature of breast reaches about 140°F to 145°F or so.

What is the lowest safe temperature to cook a turkey?

325 degrees Fahrenheit

When should I take my turkey out?

For turkey that’s 165 degrees, you’ll want to remove the bird from the oven when the temperature reaches 155 to 160 degrees because it will continue to cook outside the oven. Keep in mind that larger turkeys will hold more heat and keep cooking for longer.

When should I take my turkey out of the freezer?

Here’s the main rule of thumb for thawing your turkey: Allow at least 24 hours of thawing for every 5 pounds of turkey. So for a 12-pound turkey that would imply at least three days of thawing, ideally with a bonus day thrown in.

Can you leave a turkey out to thaw overnight?

Just be sure to keep an eye on it and make sure you change the water every 30 minutes or so. Even the biggest turkey will be thawed in a few hours. The one thing you don’t want to do is to leave the bird on the counter overnight or in the sink without water.

How long does it take a 20 pound turkey to thaw in the refrigerator?

Thaw It in Cold WaterTurkey WeightThawing Time (Refrigerator)Thawing Time (Cold Water)Up to 12 lbs1 to 3 days2 to 6 hours12 to 16 lbs3 to 4 days6 to 8 hours16 to 20 lbs4 to 5 days8 to 10 hours20 to 24 lbs5 to 6 days10 to 12 hours