Thanksgiving can be a multi-day cooking marathon. All the planning often centers around the main event—that giant, glistening turkey. Once you decide where to buy it from, we’ll help you figure out what size turkey to buy and how long it needs to roast so you can plan your perfect holiday.
Learn how to cook a turkey with help from our Test Kitchen.
How Long to Roast a Turkey?
Use this chart to figure out how long to cook a turkey (unstuffed) in a 325°F oven, according to its size.
Editor’s Tip: Note that if you have stuffed your turkey, the stuffing inside must reach a safe temperature of 165°. This might result in the breast and thighs of your turkey reaching 180° to 185°—a sign that you might be eating a pretty dry bird for dinner.
Turkey WeightÂ
|
Cooking Time Â
|
Doneness TemperatureÂ
|
| 4-6 lb. breast |
1 hr 30 mins–2 hrs 15 mins |
165°F |
| 6-8 lb. breast |
2 hrs 15 mins–3 hrs 15 mins |
165°F |
| 8-12 lbs. |
2 hrs 45 mins–3 hrs |
170-175°F |
| 12-14 lbs. |
3 hrs–3 hrs 45 mins |
170-175°F |
| 14-18 lbs. |
3 hrs 45 mins–4 hrs 15 mins |
170-175°F |
| 18-20 lbs. |
4 hrs 15 mins–4 hrs 30 mins |
170-175°F |
| 20-24 lbs. |
4 hrs 30 mins–5 hrs |
170-175°F |
Download Chart
Simple Steps for How to Cook a Turkey
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Before you nail down your Thanksgiving game plan, don’t forget to factor in these time-consuming steps.
- Defrost: Thawing a turkey can take anywhere from three to five days. So if you’ve bought a frozen turkey, be sure it is placed in the refrigerator with plenty of time to thaw.
- Preheat the oven: Set aside 15 to 20 minutes to allow your oven to thoroughly preheat. Since many home ovens heat unevenly, it’s a good idea to let your oven come up to temperature, then wait 5 to 10 more minutes before placing the turkey inside. This allows the heat to evenly disperse in the oven before you open the door. It is also a good idea to rotate your turkey at least every hour to help everything cook evenly.
- Season the turkey:Â The day before Thanksgiving, remove the bird from its packaging and take out the giblets. Then, massage kosher salt all over the turkey. Return the bird to the fridge until it’s ready to roast on the big day. This technique not only seasons the meat, it also helps to draw out excess moisture from the skin that, once baked, will be nice and crispy.
- Don’t baste: Basting requires you to open the oven door, which lets heat out and cools the surface of your bird. Every time you baste, you’re increasing the overall cooking time of your turkey. And more time in the oven leads to dry, tough meat.
- Don’t stuff: Our Taste of Home Test Kitchen recommends that you don’t stuff your turkey. The main reason is due to food safety. Cooking stuffing in the cavity of your turkey means there is more of a risk of getting foodborne illnesses like salmonella or E. coli. This exposure to bacteria can happen if the stuffing has not reached a safe temperature of 165°—something that’s hard to do without overcooking the turkey.
- Rest: Finally, allow the turkey to rest for at least 30 minutes before you carve it. Resting lets the meat cool slightly and reabsorb juices that were bubbling to the surface in the hot oven. This reabsorption is what gives you plump, tender meat. If you carve the turkey right away, you lose all that tenderness in a puddle on your cutting board or plate!
Want to make the best gravy? Learn how to make gravy from pan drippings.
How Long to Cook a Turkey per Pound
The general rule is 15 to 20 minutes per pound of turkey when cooking an unstuffed turkey. If family tradition calls for roasting a stuffed turkey, though, try cooking it according to the chart above based on its size. Once your thermometer reads 165° in the breast or 175° in the thigh, take the temperature of the stuffing. If it doesn’t reach 165°, rather than drying out your turkey by cooking it longer, try scooping out the stuffing and microwaving it until it reaches the appropriate temperature.
If you opt to cook an unstuffed turkey, don’t worry, you can bake one of these crowd-pleasing stuffing recipes in a separate dish that will be just as tasty (and safe to eat!).
What Temperature to Cook a Turkey
Our Test Kitchen recommends roasting a turkey at a steady 325º for the entire cook time. This temperature is low enough that you don’t need to worry about moisture evaporating quickly and drying out the turkey, but it’s also warm enough to cook the bird all the way through at a quick pace. Before the big day, be sure to check if your oven is working properly.
How to Check the Temperature of a Turkey
To find out if your turkey is fully cooked, insert a meat thermometer into the meatiest, thickest part of the bird (typically the thighs). You’re aiming for 170º to 175º for a whole bird and 165º for a turkey breast.
When taking the temperature, make sure that the thermometer doesn’t touch any bone, as this can give a false high reading and leave you with undercooked (read: unsafe) meat. And, if the meat isn’t to temperature, make sure you wash the probe of the thermometer in hot, soapy water before testing the turkey again.
Test Kitchen Tip: In the market for a meat thermometer? Our Test Kitchen recommends the top-of-the-line Thermapen Mk4 thermometer for its accuracy and easy-to-read display. We also like the colorful ThermoPop. Whatever you do, don’t rely on your turkey’s pop-up timer. Many times they pop too late—if they even pop at all—leading to a dry, overcooked bird.
What Size Turkey to Buy
People hosting their first Thanksgiving often wonder how much turkey per person? You’ll need one pound of turkey per guest. When you can’t find the magical 12 pound turkey for 12 guests, just round up! It’s better to have too much food than to run short on the signature dish of Thanksgiving.
If you’re serving a hungry bunch or you really want to eat leftover turkey for the rest of the week, you can round up to one and a quarter pounds of turkey per person. Then you can make our favorite leftover turkey recipes.
Pair Your Turkey with These Amazing Sides
Mom’s Macaroni and CheeseThe homemade goodness of this creamy mac and cheese makes it a perfect Thanksgiving side dish. No matter where you live, you'll want to dig into this traditional southern recipe. Don't forget to check out our collection of
mac and cheese Thanksgiving recipes.
Aunt Margaret’s Sweet Potato CasseroleTopped with gooey marshmallows, these brown-sugary sweet potatoes are an inviting side that both kids and adults will enjoy. It's been beloved for generations.
Parker House RollsThese rolls are the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving meal. Slather them with butter, dunk them in gravy or eat them plain. If there are leftovers (doubtful), make leftover turkey sliders the next day!
Green Bean CasseroleThanks to its savory flavors and crunchy onion topping, this easy green bean casserole recipe is a classic for a reason. You can make it Thanksgiving morning and pop it in the fridge, then add the onions and bake it right before the feast.
Shredded Gingered Brussels SproutsHere's a new
Thanksgiving dinner idea! These stovetop Brussels sprouts are a fan favorite because they're so fast to fix.
Rum Vanilla Cranberry SauceFor something memorable, serve this amped-up homemade cranberry sauce. Combine tart fresh cranberries with orange juice and rum to create a unique sauce that your guests will be talking about until next Thanksgiving.
Acorn Squash SlicesMaple syrup adds extra oomph to naturally sweet acorn squash, while pecans add nuttiness. For deeper flavor, sprinkle on warm spices like cinnamon and ginger.
Bacon & Sausage StuffingSausage stuffing is already famous for being one of the
best Thanksgiving recipes. Add bacon and it's even better!
Potato Pan RollsThe mashed potatoes in this recipe keep these rolls pillowy and moist. If you don't have leftover mashed potatoes and would rather not make them from scratch, use instant mashed potatoes instead.
Roasted Apple Salad with Spicy Maple-Cider VinaigretteYou might not think of salad as a
Thanksgiving side dish, but once you taste this super-seasonal version, you'll want it on your Thanksgiving menu every year.
Roasted Squash, Carrots & WalnutsThis dish is as vibrant as it is tasty. Once the turkey is out of the oven, crank up the temp and roast carrots and squash while your bird is resting.
Moist Corn Spoon BreadSpoon bread is an American classic that will never go out of style. This version of the recipe doesn't take up coveted oven space—it's made in a slow cooker.
Lemon Roasted Fingerlings and Brussels SproutsFor perfectly
roasted vegetables, choose ones that cook in the same amount of time, like these fingerling potatoes and
Brussels sprouts. Feel free to use other vegetables like cauliflower if you have it on hand. Just keep the measurements the same so the seasonings shine through.
Cranberry-Apple Red CabbageThis jewel-toned Thanksgiving side dish is a sweet-tart combo of red cabbage, apples and cranberry sauce. It may be entirely new to your family, but will feel comforting and familiar. Here are the best
Thanksgiving salad recipes to make this year.
Honey-Squash Dinner RollsThese puffy dinner rolls take on rich color when you add frozen squash to the dough. For riffs on the flavor, use mashed sweet potatoes, carrots or other root vegetables instead.
Badger State StuffingYour family will love the contrasting sweet, savory and slightly tart flavors in this Wisconsin spin on a Thanksgiving classic. Be sure to keep the sauerkraut and beer, but feel free to use any dried fruit to make the dish your own.
Roasted Honey Sweet PotatoesTender sweet potatoes are tossed with honey and cinnamon for a burst of spicy sweetness. Sprinkle with roasted nuts for a wonderfully crunchy topping.
Cheesy Corn Spoon BreadThis custard-like side dish is comforting and homey. The jalapeno pepper adds just the right amount of heat.
Garlic and Herb Mashed PotatoesCream cheese is the secret ingredient in these comforting spuds. Simply mash, mix and let them warm in the slow cooker.
Wild Rice StuffingThanks to its chewy texture, this wild rice stuffing is delightfully different than what you're used to. Amp up the wild rice's naturally nutty flavor by sprinkling with
toasted pecans just before serving.
Chipotle-Orange Cranberry SauceWith brown sugar, cinnamon and chipotle powder, this cranberry sauce may not be traditional, but once your guests taste it, it may well end up with a permanent spot in your holiday lineup!
Flaky Butterhorn RollsSure, you could go with refrigerated crescents, but with their slight sweetness and buttery flakiness, these homemade dinner rolls are in a league all their own.
Cheddar Creamed CornCan't decide whether to bring mac and cheese or
classic corn pudding to your family Thanksgiving gathering? This recipe lets you do both. You need only five ingredients to make this easy, cheesy casserole that comes together in the slow cooker.
Old-Fashioned Green BeansYou won't believe how three simple ingredients can create such enormous flavor! Bacon gives these simply simmered green beans savoriness and smokiness, while brown sugar adds a touch of sweetness.
Thanksgiving ColcannonA twist on the classic Irish veggie dish, this holiday-worthy colcannon will be brand-new to your menu. Butter, farmer's cheese and yogurt layer on the creaminess.
Creamed Pearl OnionsTo
save time on Thanksgiving Day, assemble this dish the night before, store in the refrigerator and slip it into the oven right after the turkey comes out. Make things even easier with frozen pearl onions instead of fresh.
Brown Sugar-Glazed Baby CarrotsAre glazed carrots a Thanksgiving staple because they're insanely delicious or because they're so easy to make? This recipe uses the slow cooker, gently braising the carrots in butter and brown sugar until they melt in your mouth.
Buttery Dinner RollsThese lovely dinner rolls are tender, fluffy and delicious when eaten warm from the oven. Serve them with butter or top with cranberry sauce.
Scalloped Sweet Corn CasseroleAlmost every family has some version of this dish. Make it your own by stirring in crumbled bacon, shredded cheese, chopped green onions or anything else you wish before sprinkling with Rice Krispies for a crispy-crunchy topping. Bonus: You can use fresh or frozen corn in this comforting casserole.
Butternut Squash ButterThis Thanksgiving, serve homemade butternut squash butter as a gorgeous topper for turkey or rolls, or in little phyllo cups as an appetizer. It's comfort food without being overly heavy or rich.
Creamed Spinach & Pearl OnionsHere's an indulgent way to eat your veggies. Cooked on the stovetop, this Thanksgiving side dish takes only about 15 minutes to make—and it'll be gone in a fraction of that time once dinner is served!
Roasted Potatoes with Garlic ButterThis recipe, which showcases creamy yellow Yukon Golds and vivid orange sweet potatoes, is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the stomach. Drizzled with garlic butter, then showered with cheddar and Parmesan, this dish proves there's beauty in simplicity.
Sicilian Brussels SproutsThese Mediterranean-style sprouts are simply exploding with flavors. You will love the pops of sweetness from the golden raisins and nutty savoriness from toasted pine nuts.
Cinnamon Spiced ApplesThese slow-cooked spiced apples are wonderful no matter when you serve them. They taste wonderful alongside turkey and stuffing, but you could serve them for dessert as a crustless apple pie, too.
Gluten-Free StuffingGluten-free folks, rejoice! Now you can enjoy this favorite Thanksgiving side, too. This easy GF stuffing has all the classic stuffing flavor and texture minus the side effects.
Cran-Raspberry Gelatin SaladThis retro stunner mixes raspberry gelatin with a can of whole-berry cranberry sauce, canned crushed pineapple and orange juice for a side that's bursting with delicious nostalgia. Make
sugared cranberries to fancy it up.
Coconut-Bourbon Sweet PotatoesIf your sweet tooth can't wait for dessert, this is the Thanksgiving side for you. With bourbon, coconut and marshmallows, these sweet potatoes might just be the most indulgent dish on the table.
Wild Rice Stuffed SquashThese beautiful wild rice-stuffed squash halves are a delicious, showstopping entree for vegan or vegetarian guests. Even meat lovers will fall in love with this dish as a holiday side. Looking for dairy-free recipes? Here's our collection of
vegan Thanksgiving sides.
Syrian Green Beans with Fresh HerbsThese simple green beans make the most of your
herb garden, featuring chopped fresh parsley, cilantro and mint.
Comforting Cheesy PotatoesRequiring just 10 minutes of prep, these slow-cooker cheesy potatoes are comforting, hearty and oh-so good. No judgment if you go in for seconds (or thirds).
Slow-Cooker Sriracha CornThis corn is an unexpected side dish for just about any hearty Thanksgiving entree. The Sriracha adds a wonderful hint of smokiness and spice. Cool your palate with a bite of something rich, like buttery mashed potatoes or creamed onions.
Italian Spaghetti SquashIf you want a veggie-forward Thanksgiving side, this five-ingredient spaghetti squash is a real winner. Don't worry about taking up that precious oven space—our recipe is for the slow cooker.
Cheesy Corn Spoon BreadHomey and comforting, this custardy side dish is a must-have Thanksgiving side. The jalapenos add just the right amount of heat to keep things interesting.
Glazed Spiced CarrotsPretty glazed carrots are a classic side dish for all kinds of special occasions. This recipe is very easy to put together, leaving your oven and stovetop free for other cooking creations.
Sweet and Tangy Ranch BeansYou can prep this delicious semi-homemade side in no time—just open a few cans! The beans' sweet and tangy sauce is perfectly balanced.
Creamy Carrot SoupThis soup's creamy orange hue and deliciously different flavor make it a great option for a Thanksgiving side. A hint of rosemary adds an earthy note to the slightly sweet soup.
Black Bean Potato au GratinHere's a hearty and unexpected Thanksgiving side that's packed with protein and fiber. Give it a southwestern twist by adding chili powder and swapping the peas for canned corn.
Slow-Cooker Italian MushroomsIf your family debates whether mushrooms belong in stuffing, this recipe is here to keep the peace. Serve these savory slow-cooked mushrooms; folks who want stuffing with 'shrooms can add them to their own serving.
Oregano Green Beans with Toasted Pine NutsThis super easy side dish is a wonderful way to get more veggies in your Thanksgiving feast. You can substitute any kind of nut for the pine nuts or even replace them with fresh berries.
Spectacular Overnight SlawIt may seem summery, but you can't go wrong with crunchy coleslaw on Thanksgiving. It's a fresh complement to turkey and savory items like cheesy potatoes.
Pickled Bell PeppersThese colorful sliced peppers add zest to the menu—and they're a smart way to use any leftover peppers you have! This side dish tastes great on its own or tossed in a leafy green salad.
Pressure-Cooker Lemon Red PotatoesButter, lemon juice, parsley and chives enhance this simple side dish, which is made in an Instant Pot. It's a light, bright alternative to heavy mashed potatoes. If you're looking for more, then here's a list of
alternatives to turkey for Thanksgiving dinner.
Broccoli Cheddar SoupFor a comforting side that will warm everyone up, this soup takes the cake—err, pie. The combo of broccoli and cheddar is the perfect mix of cool-weather flavors.
Corn and Broccoli in Cheese SauceCorn and broccoli might not be most obvious ingredient combo, but don't let that stop you from trying this veggie side. Reviewers of all ages have loved it. The next day, stir in leftover turkey for a quick one-pot meal.
Creamy Hash Brown PotatoesPackaged ingredients like frozen hash browns and chive cream cheese are the secret behind these rich slow-cooker potatoes. Play around with flavors by using different types of cream o' soup.
Creamy Grape SaladNot every side dish needs to be hot! This refreshing, creamy grape salad is the perfect palate cleanser between bites. For a special finishing touch, sprinkle it with brown sugar and pecans.
Party Time BeansFeaturing five kinds of beans, this slightly sweet side is perfect for a cool autumn day. The beans aren't too heavy, making them a great complement to heavier sides.
Balsamic Green Bean SaladServe up those green beans in a whole new way—with a green bean salad recipe! The tangy flavors and fresh crunch are most welcome alongside creamy side dishes.
Slow-Cooked BroccoliIf you're hosting this year, this hands-off side is an ideal menu option. Reviewers have had fun swapping different crackers or chips for topping, so feel free to cater to your own family's tastes.
Bacon Macaroni SaladFilled with crispy bacon, chopped tomato, celery and green onion, this salad is the ultimate make-and-take Thanksgiving side. In fact, you
have to make it ahead so the flavors have time to meld.
Glazed Ranch CarrotsOn Thanksgiving, the last thing you want to do is spend hours on a side dish. This one relies on packages of baby carrots and ranch dressing mix, so there's no time-consuming prep.
Fried Onions and ApplesThis tangy side dish pairs so well with a smoky turkey and savory gravy. The combination of the sweet apples mixed with salty fried onions makes for a side dish to remember.
Cheesy Bacon Ranch Potato StuffingIf you're headed to a second Thanksgiving this year, here's what to make. The recipe calls for leftover dinner rolls, letting you transform something from your first feast into this super moist side. The cheesy ranch flavor is a fun twist on the classic sage seasoning.
Sweet Potato Carrot CrispThis whipped side dish is a versatile option that will pair with everything else on the table. Subtly sweet, it has just a hint of garlic, while the nut and crumb topping adds a fun crunch to any holiday meal.
Festive Fall Tortellini TossIconic flavors of the season come together in this pasta dish with mushrooms, squash, apples and walnuts. This recipe can easily be doubled and can be served either warm or at room temperature, a terrific choice if you're traveling over the river and through the woods.
Baked Parmesan BroccoliThis cheesy side dish is a great way to get some vegetables in at this famously carby, starchy meal. The Parmesan adds a little interest to the broccoli that will have folks making room on their plates for more.
Black-Eyed Peas & HamThese slow-cooked black-eyed peas are sure to be a hit at your feast this year. The ham adds a subtle savoriness without being too overpowering or rich. Have the recipe again on New Year's for good luck!
Butternut Squash with Whole GrainsFresh thyme really shines in this hearty slow-cooked side dish featuring tender butternut squash, nutritious whole grain pilaf and vitamin-packed baby spinach.
