What is the rule for cooking a turkey?

All cook times are based on placing a whole unstuffed turkey on a rack in a roasting pan and into a preheated 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) oven. How Long to Cook a Turkey.

How long do you cook turkey?

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.

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.

Is it best to cook a turkey covered or uncovered?

To achieve that balance, the ideal is to let the bird spend time both covered and uncovered: We recommend covering your bird for most of the cooking time to prevent it from drying out, then removing the cover for the last 30 minutes or so to allow the skin to crisp.

How do I keep my turkey moist?

Classic Bread Stuffing Recipe Choose a fresh turkey instead of a frozen one. Roast two small turkeys rather than one large one. Brine the turkey. Rub soft butter under the skin. Truss loosely, or not at all. Roast the turkey upside down at first. Don’t overcook it. Let the turkey rest before carving.

Should you wash turkey before cooking?

Wash Hands and Surfaces; not the Turkey According to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, washing raw poultry, beef, pork, lamb, or veal before cooking it is not recommended. Bacteria in raw meat and poultry juices can be spread to other foods, utensils, and surfaces.

Should I put 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.

What do you put inside a turkey for flavor?

Don’t cook stuffing inside the turkey. Then you can fill the cavity of the turkey with things that will give it flavor (and add flavor to the drippings/stock): salt and pepper and any mixture of onion, apple, carrots, celery, or citrus.

How long should you cook a turkey at 325?

This table from the USDA is based on a 325 °F oven, and a fully defrosted or fresh bird. (For an unstuffed bird, we ‘re talking roughly 15 minutes per pound.)

How often do I 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.

What temperature should I fry my turkey?

Maintain the temperature of the oil at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), and cook turkey for 3 1/2 minutes per pound, about 35 minutes. Carefully remove basket from oil, and insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh; the internal temperature must be 180 degrees F ( 80 degrees C).

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.

What side do you cook a turkey on?

Cook the turkey breast-side down. While the turkey roasts, the juices fall down towards the breast, resulting in the most succulent meat. The breast is also more protected from the heat, which helps keep it from getting too dried out. Use a meat thermometer to take out any guess work of when the turkey is done.

How long should a turkey rest Gordon Ramsay?

REST: Once you’re sure the turkey is fully cooked (check by piercing the thickest part of the leg with a skewer to see if the juices run clear), leave it to rest in a warm place for at least 45 minutes or up to a few hours. This lets the meat relax and allows all the juices to be reabsorbed.