How Long Does It Take to Cook the Perfect Turkey?

As the Thanksgiving season approaches every November, the big question looms large in everyone’s minds yet again: How long does it take to cook a turkey?

For starters, how long you should roast a turkey depends largely on how much it weighs, as well as whether you plan to stuff it. For an oven set to 325°F, FoodSafety.gov recommends the following roasting times based on the weight of a fully thawed turkey:

4 to 6 Pounds (Breast) Cooking Time

1 1/2 to 2 1/4 hours

6 to 8 Pounds (Breast) Cooking Time

Unstuffed: 2 1/4 to 3 1/4 hours
Stuffed: 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours

Related: 15 Best Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes

8 to 12 Pounds (Breast) Cooking Time

Unstuffed: 2 3/4 to 3 hours
Stuffed: 3 to 3 1/2 hours

12 to 14 Pounds (Breast) Cooking Time

Unstuffed: 3 to 3 3/4 hours
Stuffed: 3 1/2 to 4 hours

14 to 18 Pound Cooking Time

Unstuffed: 3 3/4 to 4 1/4 hours
Stuffed: 4 to 4 1/4 hours

18 to 20 Pound Cooking Time

Unstuffed: 4 1/4 to 4 1/2 hours
Stuffed: 4 1/4 to 4 3/4 hours

20 to 24 Pound Cooking Time

Unstuffed: 4 1/2 to 5 hours
Stuffed: 4 3/4 to 5 1/4 hours

Related: 101 Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes

How To Know When a Turkey Is Done

While the time estimates above offer a general idea of how long a turkey will take to cook, the absolute safest way to know if your turkey is done is to use a meat thermometer. If you are cooking a stuffed turkey, you must cook it until the internal temperature of the stuffing reaches a minimum of 165°F.

If the stuffing in your turkey has reached a temperature of 165°F, the temperature of the innermost part of the turkey’s thigh is likely between 165°F to 185°F, at which point it is done. If you are cooking an unstuffed turkey, roast until a temperature reading of the innermost part of the thigh reaches 165°F.

Related: How Much Stuffing Do You Need for Your Thanksgiving Dinner?

How Much Turkey Will You Need Per Person for Your Holiday Dinner?

For your dinner, you can estimate that each guest will eat about 1 1/2 pounds of turkey. Here’s a general guide for how much turkey you’ll need per person:

4 people – 6 pounds
6 people – 9 pounds
12 people – 18 pounds

If you are buying a smaller bird for a smaller party—12 pounds or less—you should allow 2 pounds per person to account for the smaller meat-to-bone ratio. These guidelines apply to both fresh and frozen turkey—if you’re cooking a frozen turkey, be sure to allow at least 24 hours of thawing for every 4 pounds of your bird.

More Thanksgiving Questions, Answered

• How Many Pounds of Potatoes Do You Need Per Person for Dinner?
• How Much Gravy Do You Need for Your Thanksgiving Dinner?
• How Many Sweet Potatoes Per Person?

Next up, how to cook the perfect prime rib