How long should a 20 pound turkey cook at 350 degrees?

If your turkey weighs 18 to 20 pounds, roast it at: 425°F for 3½ to 3¾ hours. 400°F for 3¾ to 4 hours. 350°F for 4 to 4¼ hours.

Moreover, 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.

Secondly, Do you cook a turkey covered or uncovered?

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.

Beside above What is the best temperature to cook a turkey at? 165°F is the USDA recommended internal temperature for cooked turkey. The turkey will continue to cook for several minutes after you take it out of the oven, so take it out before the meat reaches those target temperatures.

In this way, How long should a 20lb turkey cook?

If you’re baking it at 325°F (the lowest temperature the USDA recommends), you’ll need to bake a 20-lb turkey in the oven for 4 to 5 hours if it’s unstuffed, and 4 ¼ to 5 ¼ hours if it’s stuffed.

Should I cover my turkey with foil?

Should I cover my turkey with foil? Roasting a turkey with heavy duty aluminum foil is a method that helps lock in moisture to prevent drying out while in the oven. It’s an easy step to help ensure your turkey is tender and moist for dinner.

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24 Related Questions and Answers Found

Do you put water in bottom of roasting pan for turkey?

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.” … This will create spotty browning and may look underdone—even when the meat is fully cooked.

How do I get my turkey to brown?

Simply pat the turkey’s skin dry before it goes into the oven, preferably a very hot oven—the hotter the oven, the more quickly the skin will dry out completely and the browning can begin. Once you’ve got the browning underway, you can lower the oven temperature for the remaining cooking time.

Can I butter my turkey the night before?

The bird should be prepared the night before. Mix the butter with the salt and freshly ground black pepper, then season the cavity of the bird. Rub the butter mix all over the turkey. … Take the turkey out of the fridge and allow it to come to room temperature while the oven is heating up.

Is it better to cook a turkey at a lower temperature?

A lower the rack will take more time to thaw. It’s absolutely critical that the turkey is completely thawed to be successful using a low-temperature, slow-bake recipe.

Should I wrap my turkey in foil?

Should I cover my turkey with foil? Roasting a turkey with heavy duty aluminum foil is a method that helps lock in moisture to prevent drying out while in the oven. It’s an easy step to help ensure your turkey is tender and moist for dinner.

Can I cook a turkey at 400?

400°F is the perfect temperature for cooking a whole bird. You’ll get crispy skin without compromising tenderness. Depending on the size of your bird, it should take anywhere from 3-6 hours to roast at 400°F. … It doesn’t matter what orientation you roast your turkey in.

Should I start my turkey at a higher temperature?

I find it is best to start the turkey at a fairly high temperature (400°F), roast for about twenty minutes and then lower the heat to 350°F for the remainder of the cooking time.

How long do you cook a turkey at 375?

Preparing the bird – Heat oven to 375 degrees. …
Cooking the bird – Estimate 12-15 minutes per pound for stuffed turkeys. …
Testing for doneness – You can either test by checking the temperature or checking the color of the juices. …
Finishing off – Remove bird from the oven.

What if my turkey isn’t fully thawed?

If There’s No Time to Thaw

If you’re up against the clock and have no time left for even the “quick” cold-water thaw, then just cook the turkey as it is. It’s perfectly safe to cook a frozen or partially frozen turkey — you just need to allow some extra cooking time.

Do you put water in the bottom of the roasting pan for turkey?

How much water do you put in the pan when cooking a turkey?

Remove the turkey from the pan and let it rest in a warm place for 20 minutes before carving (see Cook’s Note***.) Place roasting pan over medium heat and add 1/2 cup of water.

Should I cover my turkey with aluminum foil?

Should I put butter under the skin of my turkey?

Impart rich flavor and add moisture to your Thanksgiving turkey by adding a layer of butter under the skin before roasting.

How long does it take to brown a turkey?

At 325ºF it should cook anywhere between 2.5 hours to 3 hours and change. For an 18-pounder, you’re probably looking at around 3.5 to 4 hours of oven time. For a 20-pound turkey, settle in for the afternoon. This could take around 4 to 4.5 hours.

Should I wrap my turkey in foil while baking?

Should I rub butter on my turkey?

Don’t butter your bird

Placing butter under the skin won’t make the meat juicier, though it might help the skin brown faster. However, butter is about 17 percent water, and it will make your bird splotchy, says López-Alt. Instead, rub the skin with vegetable oil before you roast.

Should you salt your turkey the night before?

It’s simple, really. Salt the turkey, cover it, then stick it in the fridge. Overnight the salt draws moisture from the interior of the bird to the surface, where it combines with the salt and other seasonings. Eventually, that flavorful salted liquid is reabsorbed by the meat, seasoning it throughout.

Editors. 14 – Last Updated. 42 days ago – Authors. 9