QA

Quick Answer: Food Network How To Cook A Turkey

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

Roast the turkey uncovered at a temperature ranging from 325°F to 350°F. 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.

Do you roast a turkey covered or uncovered?

Q: Should I roast the bird 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.

How long does a 14 lb turkey take to cook at 325?

Assuming you are roasting your turkey in a 325°F oven, plan on 15 to 17 minutes of cooking time for each pound of an unstuffed turkey. Plan on 20 to 22 minutes per pound for a stuffed turkey. 8-12 lb. 12-14 lb.

How do I keep my turkey moist?

Here is a fantastic tip: to protect the turkey breast and keep it juicy: Fold a large square sheet of foil into a triangle. Rub one side of your triangle with olive oil and shape the foil (oil-side-down) over the turkey breast, then remove foil; it will shield your turkey breast and keep it from getting dry.

Should I cover my turkey with foil?

Just make sure you uncover the lid about 30 minutes before the turkey’s done roasting so the skin has a chance to get crispy. Covering the bird with foil mimics what a roaster lid would do — it traps steam and moistness so the turkey doesn’t dry out — all the while allowing the skin to crisp up.

Do you put butter on turkey before cooking?

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.

Do you put water in the bottom of the roasting pan for turkey?

Place on the bottom of your roasting pan. Add about a half-inch of liquid (water or stock) to the roasting pan. This will keep the oven moist, and the turkey juicy. This aromatic liquid can be used to baste the turkey while it cooks (there is a debate whether basting does anything, but it’s part of the tradition).

How long do you cook a 12 lb turkey?

Calculate turkey cooking time and temperature. The simplest way to figure out turkey roasting times is to calculate 13 minutes per pound at 350°F for an unstuffed turkey (that’s about 3 hours for a 12- to 14-lb. turkey), or 15 minutes per pound for a stuffed turkey.

What temperature should turkey be at?

You’ll need a meat thermometer to make sure you cook your turkey to the right temperature. Insert it close to, but not touching, the thigh bone. If it reads 180 degrees F in the thigh and 170 degrees F in the breast, it’s done and ready to serve.

Is turkey done at 165 or 180?

While some recipes state that turkey should be cooked to 180 degrees Fahrenheit, the meat is safe to consume once it reaches the 165-degree mark. Cooking the breasts past 165 can result in dry meat, but the dark meat can be cooked to 180.

How long do you cook a 15 pound Butterball turkey?

For an unstuffed bird, Butterball recommended the following cooking times: 6-7 pounds: 2-2½ hours. 7-10 pounds: 2½-3 hours. 10-18 pounds: 3-3½ hours. 18-22 pounds: 3½-4 hours. 22-24 pounds: 4-4½ hours. 24-30 pounds: 4½-5 hours.

How long do you need to cook a 14 lb turkey?

How Long to Roast a Turkey: 4 to 8 pounds (breast only): 1 1/2 to 3 1/4 hours. 8 to 12 pounds: 2 3/4 to 3 hours. 12 to 14 pounds: 3 to 3 3/4 hours. 14 to 18 pounds: 3 3/4 to 4 1/4 hours. 18 to 20 pounds: 4 1/4 to 4 1/2 hours. 20 to 24 pounds: 4 1/2 to 5 hours.

Should I baste my turkey?

Do Not Baste. Basting the skin is not necessary to flavor the meat. You’ll flavor the skin, but you’ll also let heat out of the oven each time you open it to baste. “That means the bird is going to be in there for a longer time cooking, which means it’s going to dry out more,” Brown says.

Do you put an apple in a turkey?

Apples. Consider quartering an apple or two for stuffing your turkey. They will provide the turkey with a little extra moisture during the cooking process and a very subtle flavor that will remind you of fall. Take a bite out of our 50+ sweet and savory apple recipes.

What do you put inside a turkey?

Place the turkey in a large roasting pan. Liberally salt and pepper the inside of the turkey cavity. Stuff the cavity with the bunch of thyme, halved lemon, quartered onion, and the garlic. Brush the outside of the turkey with the butter mixture and sprinkle with salt and pepper.