Mohamed Shili In an oven preheated to 350 degrees F, a turkey takes around 12 – 14 minutes per pound to cook and bake through, depending on the heat distribution of the oven you are using the baking time may vary slightly.
When baking a stuffed turkey in a preheated oven set to 350 degrees F aim on baking it for approximately 15 – 17 per pound to cook and reach a safe internal temperature of 165 F.
What’s The Best Temperature To Cook A Turkey?
The ideal oven temperature for roasting a turkey is typically 325 degrees F to 350 degrees F. Cooking at this moderate range allows the turkey to bake evenly, ensuring the exterior acquires a golden-brown hue while the inside remains juicy and tender.
It’s worth noting that oven variations, the turkey’s initial temperature, and whether it’s stuffed or not can influence cooking times. Periodic basting and a tent of aluminum foil can prevent over-browning and maintain moisture.
How Long To Cook Stuffed Turkey Per Pound At 350
A stuffed turkey when baked in an oven preheated to 350 degrees F will need between 15 – 17 minutes to bake and cook through, however, this timing may vary slightly as it will be affected by the type of stuff you’ve used.
If baking a frozen stuffed turkey in the same 350 degrees F oven, then it will generally take about 20 – 25 minutes to roast and cook properly and have that crispy golden brown skin.
Should I Cook My Turkey Covered Or Uncovered
When targeting a perfectly bronzed and crispy-skinned turkey, it’s ideal to cook it uncovered. Brushing the turkey skin with melted butter or a mix of herbs and olive oil can amplify that desired crispiness.
However, if tenderness and moisture retention is your goal, especially for the larger birds, you might want to start the roasting process covered. This prevents excessive drying out. In the latter stages, say the last 45 minutes of cooking, removing the cover can still give you some crispness.
How Long To Bake Foil Covered Turkey Per Pound At 350
For a foil-covered turkey roasted at 350 degrees F, you can expect it to cook for about 13 – 15 minutes per pound, and if the turkey is stuffed, the baking time will be roughly 16 – 18 minutes per pound in the same 350 F oven.
Using foil prevents the outer layer from browning too quickly, allowing the inside, including the stuffing, to thoroughly cook without drying out the meat. Remember to remove the foil towards the end if you desire crispy, browned skin.
How Long To Cook A 4 Lb Turkey At 350
In a 350 degrees F oven, a 4-pound turkey will roughly need 50 minutes – 1 hour to cook and bake thoroughly depending on the size of the turkey and how crispy and brown you want the skin to be. If your turkey is becoming too brown but still undercooked, cover it with foil for the remainder of the baking time.
When cooking a 4-pound stuffed turkey, the timing extends to about 1 hour – 1 hour and 10 minutes in the same 350 degrees F preheated oven, keep in mind tho that this time may vary slightly depending on the stuffing used and the heat distribution of the oven.
How Long To Cook A 6 Lb Turkey At 350
For a 6-pound turkey baked in an oven set to 350 degrees F, expect a cooking duration of roughly 1 hour 12 minutes – 1 hour 24 minutes depending on the turkey’s exact size. Your turkey is done when it reaches a safe internal temperature of 165 F.
If cooking a stuffed 6-pound turkey in the same 350 degrees F preheated oven, bake it for around 1 hour 30 minutes – 1 hour 42 minutes to roast thoroughly and get that golden brown crispy skin exterior.
How Long To Cook A 8 Lb Turkey At 350
Cooking an 8-pound turkey in an oven preheated to 350 degrees F will take roughly 1 hour 36 minutes – 1 hour 52 minutes to bake and achieve thorough roasting.
When roasting an 8-pound stuffed turkey in the same 350 degrees F preheated oven, consider cooking it for 1 hour 50 minutes – 2 hours 10 minutes. This ensures the stuffing cooks evenly, and the turkey attains that desirable golden-brown skin on the outside.
How Long To Cook A 10 Lb Turkey At 350
In a 350 degrees F preheated oven, a 10-pound turkey will usually take about 2 hours – 2 hours 20 minutes to cook thoroughly, keeping in mind that factors such as the initial temperature of your turkey and its position in the oven can vary this time, so keep an eye on it in the last few minutes of baking
When cooking a stuffed 10-pound turkey, plan on baking it in the same 350 degrees F preheated oven for 2 hours 30 minutes – 2 hours 50 minutes, depending mainly on the stuffing used as they differ slightly in their cooking time, so keep that in mind.
How Long To Cook A 12 Lb Turkey At 350
A 12-pound turkey should be cooked for approximately 2 hours 24 minutes – 2 hours 48 minutes to get that crispy golden skin when baked in a 350 degrees F preheated oven. However, the baking time may differ slightly depending on the exact size of the turkey and the type of oven you are using to cook it.
Baking a stuffed 12-pound turkey in a preheated oven set to 350 degrees F can take roughly 3 hours – 3 hours and 20 minutes to roast and cook thoroughly and reach a safe internal temperature of 165 F.
How Long To Cook Turkey Per Pound At 350 In The Air Fryer
Using an air fryer preheated to 350 degrees F to cook a turkey will take typically about 10 – 12 minutes per pound to cook fully, which means a 4 lb turkey can take 40 – 50 minutes to cook in the same 350 F air fryer.
In case you are cooking a stuffed turkey in your 350 F preheated air fryer, then aim at baking for 13 – 15 minutes per pound, so for a 4-pound stuffed turkey you will roughly need 50 – 60 minutes of cooking time in a 350 F air fryer.
How Long To Cook Turkey Per Pound At 350 In A Convection Oven
In a convection oven preheated to 350 degrees F, expect your turkey to take about 10 – 12 minutes per pound to cook due to the efficiency of circulating hot air. This often results in a uniformly cooked and moist turkey with a beautifully browned exterior.
When cooking a stuffed turkey in a convection oven at 350 degrees F, adjust the time to 13 – 15 minutes per pound for it to bake through and reach an internal temperature of 165 F when checked with a food thermometer.
Cooked 8 Pound Turkey At 350 F Recipe Ingredients
- 1 8-pound turkey
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 medium onion, quartered
- 1 head garlic, halved
- Several sprigs of fresh herbs, such as; thyme, parsley, rosemary, and sage
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted
How To Cook 8-pound Turkey At 350 F
- Preheat the oven to 350°F with a rack on the bottom position.
- Remove any turkey portions from the neck and breast cavities and save them aside for later use, then thoroughly dry the bird inside and out using paper towels.
- Season the interior of the breast cavity with salt and pepper, then fill it with the onion, garlic, herbs, and bay leaves.
- Place the turkey breast side up on a roasting rack in a roasting pan, then brush with half of the butter and season with salt and pepper.
- Tent the turkey with foil and cook for 1 hour and 10 minutes, then remove the foil and baste with the remaining butter.
- Continue to roast your turkey for another 26 to 42 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer reads 165 degrees F.
- Remove the turkey from the oven and lay it aside for 15 minutes to rest before serving.
What Temperature Should I Cook My Turkey To
I recommend cooking your turkey until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F in the thickest parts because this ensures both safety from foodborne illnesses and a perfectly cooked bird.
To double-check, use a reliable meat thermometer at the innermost parts of the thigh, wing, and the thickest part of the breast. When stuffing your turkey, remember the center of the stuffing must also attain this temperature.
What To Serve with Cooked Turkey
- Sweet Potato Tart
- Pesto Pasta Salad
- Pecan Tartlets
- Mixed Bean Salad
- Pinwheel Sandwiches
- Mixed Bean Salad
- Deviled Eggs
- Potato Salad
- Apple Cider Cranberry Sauce
- Mashed Potatoes
- Turkey Gravy
How To Store and Reheat Turkey Leftovers
Cool your turkey leftovers to room temperature within 2 hours after cooking, then wrap tightly in foil, or plastic wrap, or store in airtight containers and fridge for 3-4 days.
Preheat the oven to 325°F and put the turkey in an oven-safe dish with a splash of broth or water to avoid drying out, cover with aluminum foil, and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
More Times and Temperature Guidelines:
- How Long To Cook Turkey Wings In Oven At 350 F
- How Long To Cook 40 Lb Turkey
- What Temperature Do I Cook A Turkey Overnight
How Long To Cook A Turkey Per Pound
Description
In an oven preheated to 350 degrees F, a turkey takes around 12 – 14 minutes per pound to cook and bake through, depending on the heat distribution of the oven you are using the baking time may vary slightly.
Cooked 8 Pound Turkey At 350 F Recipe Ingredients
How To Cook 8-pound Turkey At 350 F
- Preheat the oven to 350°F with a rack on the bottom position.
- Remove any turkey portions from the neck and breast cavities and save them aside for later use, then thoroughly dry the bird inside and out using paper towels.
- Season the interior of the breast cavity with salt and pepper, then fill it with the onion, garlic, herbs, and bay leaves.
- Place the turkey breast side up on a roasting rack in a roasting pan, then brush with half of the butter and season with salt and pepper.
- Tent the turkey with foil and cook for 1 hour and 10 minutes, then remove the foil and baste with the remaining butter.
- Continue to roast your turkey for another 26 to 42 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer reads 165 degrees F.
- Remove the turkey from the oven and lay it aside for 15 minutes to rest before serving.
