QA

Question: How Long To Cook Turkey Thighs

What temperature is a turkey thigh cooked at?

We recommend that you remove the bird from the oven when the breast temperature reaches 165 degrees and the thickest part of the thighs reaches between 170 and 175 degrees.

How do you know when turkey thighs are done?

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.

Which takes longer to cook turkey breast or thighs?

A: Unfortunately, it’s hard to avoid one or the other of these scenarios, because turkey breasts cook faster than the legs and thighs. (For food-safety reasons, it’s important to cook the bird until the breast registers 160° to 165°F and the thighs register 170° to 175°F on an instant-read thermometer.).

Are turkey thighs tough?

The problem with the thighs and drumsticks are that they are just too tough. In most cases, the boots you’re wearing are easier to chew than a drumstick. Then the tendons and sinew you have to deal with to even get to the meat. Turkey legs (thigh, drums) the fresher the better.

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.

Should I cover my turkey with foil while cooking?

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 rest a turkey covered or uncovered?

Cover the turkey loosely with foil, but remove it just under an hour before the timing is up to get the turkey nicely browned. Once cooked, carefully lift the turkey out of the tray and rest on a board. Cover loosely with foil for at least an hour while you get on cooking your roast potatoes.

How many minutes per pound do you cook 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.

How long should a turkey rest before you carve it?

The amount of resting time depends on the size of the bird, but at least 20 minutes is needed. A large bird can wait up to 40 minutes or longer, depending on the temperature of the room.

Is it better to cook turkey at high or low temp?

Turkey research, such as the Georgia study, has generally been conducted by roasting the birds at a low temperature, 325 or 350 degrees, which is what most turkey experts recommend. But many chefs and home cooks prefer to cook at high heat (say, 425 to 500 degrees).

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 does it take a turkey to go from 140 to 165?

165 is a lie! Here Are the Real Temps and Times to Cook Your Turkey Safely (from the USDA) Temperature (°F) Time for Chicken Time for Turkey 139 43min 40.4min 140 35min 33.7min 141 28.7min 28.2 min 142 23.5min 23.7 min.

How do you soften turkey legs?

Here is how to reheat turkey legs in the oven: Preheat the oven to 300 °F to 350 °F. Take the turkey legs out of the fridge and let them come to room temperature. Put turkey legs in an oven-safe dish. Cover the dish with a layer of aluminum foil. Leave the turkey legs in the oven for 30 to 45 minutes.

Where do I put the thermometer in my turkey thigh?

The tip of the thermometer should be placed into the thick part of thigh without touching the bone. Remove the turkey when it reaches 180°F. The breast must reach 170°F and if the turkey is stuffed, check the temperature of the center of the stuffing to make sure it’s cooked to 165°F.

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 long do you 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.

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.