How long does it take to thaw a 14 pound turkey?

So, if the turkey weighs 4 to 12 pounds, plan for it to defrost in the fridge for one to three days. If it’s 12 to 16 pounds, make sure it’s placed in the fridge three to four days before the holiday arrives. 2. Wrap the turkey when thawing it in cold water.

Then, How long does it take to cook a 16 lb turkey?

The rule of thumb for cooking a turkey is 13 minutes per pound. So our 16-pound turkey was estimated to cook in about 3 1/2 hours. However, some factors like brining the bird, cooking with an empty (un-stuffed) cavity, and leaving the legs un-trussed will contribute to much faster cooking.

Similarly, How long does it take to cook a 15 pound turkey?

The simplest way to figure out turkey roasting times is to calculate

13 minutes per pound

at 350°F for an unstuffed turkey (that’s about 3 hours for a 12- to 14-lb.

…

If your turkey weighs 15 to 16 pounds, roast it at:

425°F for 3 to 3¼ hours.
400°F for 3¼ to 3½ hours.
350°F for 3½ to 3¾ hours.
325°F for 3¾ to 4 hours.

In this regard Is it bad to thaw turkey at room temperature? You should never thaw a frozen turkey on the counter at room temperature or in hot water. Under either of those methods, the outer layer of the turkey can sit between the bacteria-breeding temperatures of 40°F and 140 °F for far too long to be safe.

Is it better to cook a turkey at 325 or 350?

Roast the turkey uncovered at a temperature ranging from 325°F to 350°F. Higher temperatures may cause the meat to dry out, but this is preferable to temperatures that are too low which may not allow the interior of the turkey to cook to a safe temperature.

How long does it take to cook a 15 lb turkey? The simplest way to figure out turkey roasting times is to calculate

13 minutes per pound

at 350°F for an unstuffed turkey (that’s about 3 hours for a 12- to 14-lb.

…

If your turkey weighs 15 to 16 pounds, roast it at:

425°F for 3 to 3¼ hours.
400°F for 3¼ to 3½ hours.
350°F for 3½ to 3¾ hours.
325°F for 3¾ to 4 hours.

14 Related Questions and Answers Found

How long does a 14 lb turkey take to cook at 325?

For one 12- to 14-pound turkey, roast at 325°F for 3 to 3¾ hours. For one 14- to 18-pound turkey, roast at 325°F for 3¾ to 4¼ hours. For one 18- to 20-pound turkey, roast at 325°F for 4¼ to 4½ hours.

Should you cook a turkey upside down?

The benefits of roasting a turkey breast-side down are twofold: The dark meat cooks faster when it’s closer to the heat source, and the juices trickle down for extra-moist breast meat. … Talk about a turn for the better!

Why do you change the water when thawing a turkey?

Changing of the water is done to prevent possible bacteria growth. Once the turkey is defrosted in water, it must be cooked immediately.

Can you put a turkey back in the fridge after thawing in water?

It is safe to cook turkey thawed in cold water then put back in the fridge.

Should you wash your turkey?

Wash Hands and Surfaces; not the Turkey

According to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, washing raw poultry, beef, pork, lamb, or veal before cooking it is not recommended. Bacteria in raw meat and poultry juices can be spread to other foods, utensils, and surfaces.

Do you cover a turkey while cooking?

To achieve that balance, the ideal is to let the bird spend time both covered and uncovered: We recommend covering your bird for most of the cooking time to prevent it from drying out, then removing the cover for the last 30 minutes or so to allow the skin to crisp.

How often should you baste your turkey?

Most recipes will tell you to baste your turkey every thirty minutes. But our rule of thumb is actually every forty minutes, and here’s why. You don’t want to open the oven too many times, or else the whole bird will take much long to cook, and that’s a huge inconvenience.

Should I cover turkey with foil when cooking?

Just make sure you uncover the lid about 30 minutes before the turkey’s done roasting so the skin has a chance to get crispy. … Covering the bird with foil mimics what a roaster lid would do — it traps steam and moistness so the turkey doesn’t dry out — all the while allowing the skin to crisp up.

Is turkey done at 165 or 180?

While some recipes state that turkey should be cooked to 180 degrees Fahrenheit, the meat is safe to consume once it reaches the 165-degree mark. Cooking the breasts past 165 can result in dry meat, but the dark meat can be cooked to 180.

Should you cover your turkey with aluminum foil?

How long should a turkey rest for?

Turkeys between 4-6kg should be rested for 1½ hours, and ones from 6-10kg can rest for two hours. Get your turkey out of the fridge 30 minutes before you cook it. You’ll get less shrinkage when it goes into a hot oven.

Which side is the turkey breast?

Cook the turkey breast side down.

While the turkey roasts, the juices fall down towards the breast, resulting in the most succulent meat. The breast is also more protected from the heat, which helps keep it from getting too dried out. Use a meat thermometer to take out any guess work of when the turkey is done.

How do you thaw a 14 pound turkey?

Refrigerator Thawing

Thaw turkey breast side up, in an unopened wrapper on a tray in the fridge (40 degrees F or below).
Allow at least 1 day of thawing for every 4 lbs of turkey.
Keep turkey in original wrapper and place on tray.
Use turkey within 4 days after thawing.

Can you thaw a turkey in cold water overnight?

Thawing turkey in a sink of cold water is faster than thawing in the refrigerator, but it’s not safe to leave it in the sink to thaw overnight. … Your turkey should be completely covered. Change the water every 30 minutes, turning the bag occasionally.

Do you take turkey out of wrapper to thaw?

Remove all outside wrapping and place the turkey on a microwave-safe dish to catch any juices that may leak. Use the defrost function based on weight. As a general rule, allow 6 minutes per pound when thawing a turkey in the microwave. Be sure to rotate it several times, and even flip it, during the thawing process.

Is a turkey good after frozen for a year?

Frozen Turkey

Turkeys can be kept in the freezer indefinitely. However, cook turkeys within 1 year for the best quality.

Is it safe to thaw turkey in water?

While frozen, a turkey is safe indefinitely. As soon as it begins to thaw, bacteria that may have been present before freezing will begin to grow again. There are three safe ways to defrost a turkey: in the refrigerator, in cold water, and in a microwave oven.

Can you refreeze a partially thawed turkey?

Cooked or uncooked turkey can safely be refrozen, as long as you refreeze it within three days of thawing. You should only refreeze turkey if it’s been handled properly at every step along the way. … Turkey that has been thawed on the counter or left out for long periods shouldn’t be refrozen.

Editors. 26 – Last Updated. 16 days ago – Authors. 10