The USDA has some comprehensive food safety guidelines to help you cook your Thanksgiving turkey. While some cookbooks, and probably some chefs, might tell you that cooking times and temperatures should be changed to produce a moister bird, at least you'll get a safe bird from using the USDA's guide. First things first, you need to completely defrost your turkey before beginning. Keep the turkey in its original wrapper as it thaws and try to keep it as cool as possible. It should either be defrosted by being submerged in cold water or on a tray in the refrigerator.
Frozen turkey thawing timetable
Weight In refrigerator In cold water
4 to 12 pounds 1 to 3 days 2 to 6 hours
12 to 16 pounds 3 to 4 days 6 to 8 hours
16 to 20 pounds 4 to 5 days 8 to 10 hours
20 to 24 pounds 5 to 6 days 10 to 12 hours
When you're ready to cook the bird, make sure to have a meat thermometer on hand to quickly check fore doneness. The thermometer should be inserted into the thigh, since it takes longer to cook, and must not touch bone. The temperature of the meat needs to reach 165F before it is done. Test the turkey early to avoid overcooking.
Approximate roasting times for turkeyReady-to-cook: Approximate cooking time in 325-degree oven.
Stuffed Cooking time
8 to 12 pounds 3 to 3-1/2 hours
12 to 14 pounds 3-1/2 to 4 hours
14 to 18 pounds 4 to 4-1/4 hours
18 to 20 pounds 4-1/4 to 4-3/4 hours
20 to 24 pounds 4-3/4 to 5-1/4 hours
Unstuffed Cooking time
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
If you're cooking your turkey stuffed, the center of the stuffing must reach 165F because of the raw juices that will drip into it. Since the very center will take much longer to heat through, there is a good chance that your meat will be dry before the stuffing is done. Cooking the stuffing separately is the best way to ensure not only good (and safe) stuffing, but a good turkey.
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