How long to cook a 21.5 pound turkey

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Table of Contents Show

• My Favorite Turkey Brine:
• My Favorite Turkey Brine:
• How long to cook a turkey?
• What temperature to cook a turkey: 325°F or 350°F?
• How long to cook a turkey per pound?
• Cooking time for different sizes
• How long to cook a stuffed turkey?
• How long to cook a frozen turkey?
• How to tell when a turkey is done?
• How to roast a turkey
• Side dishes for Thanksgiving turkey
• How to Cook A Turkey
• Do you cook a turkey at 325 or 350?
• How long does it take to cook a 22 pound turkey?
• Should I cover my turkey with aluminum foil?
• How many minutes do you cook a turkey at 325?

Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey

• Level: Easy

• Total: 21 hr 45 min (includes brining time)
• Active: 45 min

• Yield: 12 servings

• Level: Easy

• Total: 21 hr 45 min (includes brining time)
• Active: 45 min

• Yield: 12 servings

Deselect All

1 whole fresh turkey or frozen turkey that has not been injected with sodium solution (I use a 20-pound turkey)

My Favorite Turkey Brine, recipe follows

2 sticks butter, softened

3 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary

2 tablespoons julienned orange zest

My Favorite Turkey Brine:

2 gallons cold water

3 cups apple cider

2 cups packed brown sugar

3/4 cup kosher salt

3 tablespoons tricolor peppercorns

5 whole bay leaves

5 cloves garlic, minced

Peel of 3 large oranges, cut into large strips

4 rosemary sprigs, leaves stripped

Special equipment: brining bag or very large pot

1. Remove the turkey from its packaging and remove the bags with the neck and giblets from the cavity. Rinse the neck and giblets and put them in a plastic bag in the fridge; you'll need them for the gravy. Rinse the turkey thoroughly with cold water. Place the turkey into a large brining bag or pot. Pour in My Favorite Turkey Brine and place in the fridge for 16 to 18 hours so the brine can work its magic.
2. Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F.
3. Remove the turkey from the brine and rinse thoroughly, inside and out. Soak the turkey in cold water for 15 minutes, then rinse again and pat dry.
4. Truss the bird or tuck the legs and wings however you like. Place the bird, breast-side up, on a rack in a large roasting pan. Cover the whole pan, tenting the bird, with heavy-duty foil so that it's well sealed. Place in the oven and roast the turkey for about 10 minutes per pound. (So, for a 20-pound turkey, about 3 1/2 hours; for a 15-pound turkey, about 2 1/2 hours.) Note: There will still be more cooking time after this, but it'll be at a different temperature.
5. When it's time to remove the turkey from the oven, mix together the butter, rosemary and orange zest. Remove the turkey from the oven and increase the temperature to 375 degrees F. Remove the foil and set aside. (Put stuffing in the bird if you wish at this point.) Rub the butter mixture all over the skin of the turkey, getting in the crevices. Insert an oven-safe meat thermometer into the thigh, near the hip joint. Place the turkey, uncovered, back into the oven and continue roasting, basting/brushing with the juices in the pan every 30 minutes, until the thermometer registers 165 degrees F and until the juices no longer run pink. This will take another 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours, depending on the size of the bird.
6. Remove from the oven and cover lightly with foil until you are ready to carve.

My Favorite Turkey Brine:

1. Combine the water, cider, brown sugar, salt, peppercorns, bay leaves, garlic, orange strips and rosemary in a large pot. Stir until the salt and sugar are dissolved. Bring to a boil, then cover and turn off the heat. Allow to cool completely before placing in the fridge to chill.

This is enough for a 20 pound fresh turkey. You can decrease the quantity for a smaller bird.

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read the disclosure policy.

Learn how long to cook a turkey and get a perfectly cooked bird for your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner! The rule of thumb is 15 minutes per pound, but the cooking time also depends on oven temperature, whether the turkey is stuffed or unstuffed, and fresh vs. frozen.

How long to cook a turkey?

Want to cook a whole turkey that’s tender and juicy, with lots of flavor and crispy skin? We’ll show you how to get the best results every time. No more dried-out turkey!

How long to cook a turkey depends mainly on its size as well as the oven temperature. You need to cook the bird to a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) measured using an instant-read thermometer. Also you’ll need to budget enough time to rest your turkey so the juices can redistribute through the meat to keep it extra moist.

Tip: We recommend using an oven-proof food thermometer and leave it in the turkey while roasting. This will allow you to monitor the internal temperature without opening the oven.

What temperature to cook a turkey: 325°F or 350°F?

• Bake at 350°F for any turkey that’s less than 14 pounds (5.9kg)
• Bake at 325°F for bigger turkeys over 14 pounds.

How long to cook a turkey per pound?

For an unstuffed turkey (fresh or defrosted), the general rule is about 15 minutes per pound at a 325°F regular oven according to the USDA. If you’re using a convection oven, your turkey will cook slightly faster.

Cooking time for different sizes

Turkey cooking time varies widely by size. You may be wondering how long to cook a 20 lb turkey, a 25 lb, 12 lb, 15 lb turkey, or any other size for that matter? Here is a time chart for cooking an unstuffed turkey:

Note: If you’re using a convection oven, bake for 15-30% less time. As there’s variation in kitchen equipment, always verify doneness using a thermometer instead of relying on time alone.

How long to cook a stuffed turkey?

It’s always best to stuff the neck end of the turkey, as filling the body cavity will block the flow of air needed to evenly cook the bird. Stuff right before cooking and tuck in the skin to seal.

Follow the cooking time above using the weight of the stuffed turkey. You can weigh the stuffed turkey if you have a scale or estimate the new weight based on how much stuffing you added.

How long to cook a frozen turkey?

If you roast your turkey from frozen, the cooking time is at least 50% longer according to the USDA. That means you’ll need to plan to bake your frozen turkey for 22 minutes per pound or more.

How to tell when a turkey is done?

The most accurate way to check doneness is by inserting a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the turkey (breast, outer thigh and inner thigh), making sure the probe is not touching the bone. A temperature reading of 165°F to 170°F means it’s done.

Keep a watchful eye during the final stages, as the temperature can rise from 130°F to 170°F in as little as 30 minutes!

How to roast a turkey

Roasting a turkey is actually quite easy, as long as you follow the cooking time guide and don’t overcook the bird.

• Brining: This optional step makes for a more tender and juicy turkey. The basic ratio is 2 cups of kosher salt to 2 gallons of water. Brine for 8-18 hours in the fridge and rinse the turkey with water before cooking.
• Seasoning: Rubbing with butter, minced garlic, salt, pepper and oil before baking will add moisture and flavor to your turkey.
• Baking: Following the baking time and temperature guidance provided above until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
• Resting: Let the roasted turkey rest for 30 to 60 minutes covered with aluminum foil so the juices can redistribute throughout the meat. It’s important not to cut into the meat right away, as juices will be lost and the turkey will dry out. You can make gravy during this time instead.

Side dishes for Thanksgiving turkey

Traditional side dishes for Thanksgiving dinner include green bean casserole, potatoes, sweet potatoes, gratin and roasted Brussels sprouts.

How to Cook A Turkey

Learn how to cook a turkey to perfection for your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner! Follow this step-by-step guide to enjoy tender and juicy turkey at its best!

• ▢ 1 whole turkey, (15 pound or 6.8kg) fresh or thawed, see notes for other sizes*
• ▢ 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (1 stick)
• ▢ 3 cloves garlic, minced (1 tablespoon)
• ▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ▢ salt, to taste
• ▢ pepper, to taste

• Prepare the turkey: (Optional: brine the turkey for 8-18 hours for extra tenderness.) Remove the turkey from the fridge 1 hour before roasting. Remove the giblets from the body cavity or neck cavity. Pat dry with paper towels. It’s ok if your turkey still feels cool after sitting at room temperature.

• Seasoning: In a small bowl, mix together the softened butter, garlic, salt, and pepper. Rub all over the turkey. Then rub with olive oil. (If you have stuffing, spoon it through the neck end of the turkey.)

• Preheat the oven to 425°F: Position an oven rack in the bottom third of the oven. Then preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C). Place a wire rack in a roasting pan. Then place the turkey onto the rack breast side up. If available, insert an ovenproof meat thermometer all the way into the thigh and leave it in during baking.

• Place the turkey in the oven and lower the heat to 325°F: When the oven is hot, add the turkey and immediately lower the heat to 325°F.

• Roast the turkey: It takes about 3 hours to cook in a regular oven and 30 minutes less in a convection/forced air oven. Baste the turkey with pan juices halfway through. Start checking the internal temperature of the turkey regularly after 2 hours.

• Check the doneness: Look at the meat thermometer or insert an instant-read thermometer into the turkey thigh and breast. Your turkey is done as soon as it registers 165°F (74°C). If it’s not ready, put it turkey back in the oven. (Note: the temperature can rise quickly after 140°F).

• Rest the turkey: When the turkey is done baking, remove it from the oven. Using an oven mitt, lift one end of the roasting pan lengthwise to allow liquids from the cavity to flow out. Transfer the turkey to a cutting board. Cover with aluminum foil and let it rest for 30 to 60 minutes before carving.

• *For other sizes: 2-1/4-3 hours for 10-14 lbs (at 350°F), 3-4 hours for 15-22 lbs, 4-4.5 hours for 23-25 lbs and 4.5-5 hours for 26-29 lbs. Reduce by 15-30% for a convection oven.
• If you’re stuffing your turkey, add the weight of the stuffing to the overall weight used to calculate the cooking time.
• Leftover turkey can be stored in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge and up to 2 months in the freezer.

Nutrition Facts

How to Cook A Turkey

Amount Per Serving

Calories 458 Calories from Fat 225

% Daily Value*

Fat 25g38%

Saturated Fat 10g50%

Cholesterol 210mg70%

Sodium 290mg12%

Potassium 581mg17%

Carbohydrates 1g0%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 56g112%

Vitamin A 428IU9%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 33mg3%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Please read our nutrition disclaimer.

Cooking Equipment

• Roasting Pan and Rack
• Oven Safe Food Thermometer
• Baster

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Do you cook a turkey at 325 or 350?

How long does it take to cook a 22 pound turkey?

Should I cover my turkey with aluminum foil?

How many minutes do you cook a turkey at 325?