How Long Should I Cook My Turkey?

When you've got potatoes to mash and green beans to cook, you want to be on your game with cooking the turkey too. Cooking the turkey is actually the easiest thing! Here's what you need to know.

How long do I cook my turkey?

We recommend roasting your turkey at 350F. Roasting times will vary depending on the size of the bird, but generally an unstuffed bird will take about 15 minutes per pound to cook. A stuffed turkey will take longer, more like 20 minutes per pound. For easy math, a 15 lb. turkey will take approximately 4 - 5.5 hours.

How do I know when it's done?

Visually, you will see that the juices run clear when you pierce the turkey with a fork and that the drumsticks and thighs start to pull away from the bird.

Your best tool is a meat thermometer. Your turkey is cooked when the meat thermometer reads 170°F (77°C) for an unstuffed turkey, or 180°F (82°C) for a stuffed turkey and the juices run clear. Insert meat thermometer in the thickest part of the inner thigh, but not touching the bone. When roasting, any stuffing placed in the cavity of the bird should read and internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C). 

What other methods can I use to cook my turkey?

Visit our website for information on storing and cooking your turkey. We also have recipes for roasting, brining, deep frying, and BBQ-ing a turkey.

Turkey Farmers of Canada also has a fantastic website full of turkey  how-to's, recipes, and more! If you have any questions, please email us or call the farm any time at 306.239.4763, ext. 2. We're here to help!