- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C).
- If stuffing the turkey, do so while the oven is preheating. Spoon stuffing lightly into turkey instead of packing firmly because stuffing expands while cooking. (Allow ½ cup (125 ml) of stuffing per pound (500 g) of turkey.)
- Place turkey breast-up on a rack in a shallow roasting pan.
- Roast uncovered, or loosely covered with foil. If you choose to baste your turkey, limit the number of times you open and close your oven (once per hour is sufficient).
- 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).
- Remove the turkey from the oven when cooking is completed and let stand 20 minutes to allow the juices to set.
Approximate Timetable for Roasting a Turkey at 350°F (177°C)*
| Weight | Stuffed | Unstuffed |
|---|
8 – 10 lbs
(3.6 – 4.5 kg) | 2 h 40 min – 3 h 30 min | 2 h – 2 h 30 min |
11 – 13 lbs
(5.0 – 5.9 kg) | 3 h 40 min – 4 h 20 min | 2 h 45 min – 3 h 15 min |
14 – 16 lbs
(6.4 – 7.3 kg) | 4 h 40 min – 5 h 20 min | 3 h 30 min – 4 h |
17 – 19 lbs
(7.7 – 8.6 kg) | 5 h 40 min – 6 h 20 min | 4 h 15 min – 4 h 45 min |
20 – 22 lbs
(9.1 – 10.0 kg) | 6 h 40 min – 7 h 20 min | 5 h – 5 h 30 min |
23 – 24 lbs
(10.4 – 10.9 kg) | 7 h 40 min – 8 h | 5 h 45 min to 6 h |
*cooking times approximate at 350°F (177°C).
Cooking times may varydepending on: the temperature of the bird going into the oven, the accuracy of the oven’s thermostat, how many times the oven door is opened during roasting, the type and size of roasting pan used and the size of the turkey in relation to the size of the oven.
Download our Cooking Times quick fact sheet.
Convection Oven
- The Turkey Farmers of Canada recommend that consumers check with their manufacturer as to how much faster and hotter their oven might be compared to a conventional oven. Generally speaking, convection oven cooking temperatures should be 25-50°F (3.9-10°C) lower than conventional oven temperatures to prevent overbrowning due to surface drying. Convection cooking does typically cause greater moisture loss in turkey.
- The result of roasting a turkey is the same in conventional or convection ovens in that the turkey is done when the endpoint temperature is reached. Your turkey is done when a meat thermometer inserted into the thigh reads 180°F (82°C) for a stuffed turkey or 170°F (77°C) for an unstuffed turkey. The drumsticks should also move easily in the joints at this point.
- Avoid overcrowding in the oven when roasting in a convection oven as crowding may inhibit air circulation and slow cooking.
Approximate Timetable for Roasting a Turkey in a Convection Oven 300°F (149°C)
Cooking
Temperature | Weight
Unstuffed | Estimated
Cooking Time | Weight
Stuffed | Estimated
Cooking Time |
|---|
| 300ºF | 14-18 lbs. | 2¼ – 2½ hours | 14-18 lbs. | 2½ – 3 hours |
| 300ºF | 18-22 lbs. | 2½ – 3 hours | 18-22 lbs. | 3 – 3½ hours |
Using a Meat Thermometer
Prior to cooking, insert stem of oven-proof thermometer (stem will need to be at least 4 1/2″ (11 cm) long) into the thickest part of the inner thigh meat, not touching thigh bone. OR near end of cooking, remove from heat and insert instant-read thermometer stem or fork thermometer tines into inner thigh meat (as above). If stuffed, check stuffing temperature by inserting thermometer stem into centre of stuffing.
Always wash the tongs, plate and thermometer stem used in checking partially cooked meats/poultry before using again.
FAQs
Canadian Turkey recommends cooking a whole turkey to an internal temperature of 170°F (77°C) in the thigh for an unstuffed turkey and 180°F (82°C) for a stuffed turkey. When roasting, any stuffing placed in the cavity of the bird should reach an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C).
How long to cook a turkey at 325 canada? ›
Regular Oven 325°
| Weight | Cook Time (Unstuffed) | Cook Time (Stuffed) |
|---|
| 10-18 lbs. | 3-3½ hrs. | 3¾-4½ hrs. |
| 18-22 lbs. | 3½-4 hrs. | 4½-5 hrs. |
| 22-24 lbs. | 4-4½ hrs. | 5-5½ hrs. |
| 24-30 lbs. | 4½-5 hrs. | 5½-6¼ hrs. |
2 more rowsOven-Roasted Turkey
We recommend starting the turkey in a 425 degree oven for 30-45 minutes before tenting the pan with foil and lowering the temperature to 350 degrees until a meat thermometer reads 165 degrees when inserted into the thickest part of the bird.
Should you roast a whole turkey covered or uncovered? ›
To achieve a perfectly golden, juicy turkey, let the bird spend time both covered and uncovered in the oven. We recommend covering your bird for most of the cooking time to prevent it from drying out; then, during the last 30 minutes or so of cooking, remove the cover so the skin crisps in the hot oven.
How long to cook 10 lb turkey at 350 degrees? ›
How long to cook a turkey at 350°:
- 8–12 lb. turkey: 1¾–3 hours.
- 12–14 lb. turkey: 3–3¼ hours.
- 15–16 lb. turkey: 3½–3¾ hours.
- 18–20 lb. turkey: 4–4¼ hours.
- 21–22 lb. turkey: 4½–4¾ hours.
What Temperature to Cook the Turkey? Cook your turkey at 325 degrees F for most of the cook time; in the final 45 minutes, remove the cover or foil tent from the turkey, increase the oven temperature to 425 degrees F and baste the bird with butter. The initial lower oven temperature cooks the turkey through evenly.
How to cook Canadian turkey? ›
Tent loosely with foil. Roast in 325ºF (160ºC) oven for about 20 minutes per pound (500 g) or until juices run clear when turkey is pierced and when thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 180ºF (82ºC) for an unstuffed turkey.
Do you put water in the bottom of the roasting pan for turkey? ›
"Often, consumers will inquire about adding water to the bottom of their roasting pans. 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."
How many hours per pound for turkey at 325? ›
(The following cook times are for unstuffed birds. Our rule of thumb is to avoid stuffed turkeys and instead to bake the stuffing alongside so that it can easily reach a safe temperature.) How long to cook a turkey per pound: 325°F for 2¾ to 3 hours.
Do you really need to baste a turkey? ›
To be clear, you don't have to baste your turkey. You can still get juicy meat and crispy skin without basting. Basting just scores you extra quality points. More juiciness + crispy skin = win, win.
First, allow your cooked turkey to sit for about 20 minutes before starting to carve. Beginning halfway up the breast, slice straight down with an even stroke. When the knife reaches the cut above the wing joint, the slice should fall free on its own.
Is it better to cook a roast at 325 or 350? ›
When roasting meat and poultry, set the oven temperature to 325°F (163°C) or higher. Explore the charts below to learn how to get great results every time you cook.
Should turkey sit out before roasting? ›
Your turkey will cook more evenly and faster if you start it out at room temperature so remove the turkey from the refrigerator 1 hour before roasting. If you plan to stuff your turkey, wait until you're ready to put it in the oven before putting the stuffing in the turkey.
What is the difference between roasting and baking a turkey? ›
The main difference between baking and roasting oven settings is temperature. Large cuts of meat and firm vegetables have a roasting temperature of around 400°F and up, while the baking temperature for recipes like breads, pies and casseroles is around 350°F and lower.
Should you roast a turkey face up or down? ›
It's personal preference whether you choose to cook a turkey breast-side up or breast-side down. The United States Department of Agriculture advises to cook a whole turkey breast side up during the entire cooking time.
Is turkey done at 165 or 180? ›
The food-safe temperature for a turkey is 165°F, and it's best to temp between the thigh bone and the breast.
What is the safe temperature for a whole turkey? ›
For safety and doneness, the internal temperature should be checked with a food thermometer. The temperature of the turkey and the center of the stuffing must reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F. Check the temperature in the innermost part of the thigh and wing and the thickest part of the breast.
Does the entire turkey need to be 165? ›
Whole turkey, stuffed: The center of the stuffing must reach 165°F. Turkey breast, boneless: The thickest portion of the turkey breast should reach 165°F.
What temp should a whole turkey be USDA? ›
Make sure your turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165 F. Use a food thermometer to measure the internal temperature in three parts: the thickest part of the breast, the innermost part of the wing and the innermost part of the thigh.
