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 21 lb Butterball turkey?

For an unstuffed turkey, Butterball recommended:
  1. 6-10 pounds: 1½ -2 hours.
  2. 10-18 pounds: 2-2½ hours.
  3. 18-22 pounds: 2½-3 hours.
  4. 22-24 pounds: 3-3½ hours.

How long do you cook a 20 pound turkey and at what temperature?

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.

Do you cook a turkey at 325 or 350 per pound?

If you’re determined to stuff the turkey, you’ll want to leave it in the oven at 325°F for 20-25 minutes per pound, and cover the turkey (especially the wings and drumsticks) with a loose tent of aluminum foil to keep them from drying out or burning.

How long do you cook a 22 lb stuffed Butterball turkey?

SIZE APPROXIAMATE THAWING TIME APPROXIMATE ROASTING TIME 325°F
In Refrigerator Stuffed
10 to 18 lbs 3 to 4 days 3¾ to 4½ hrs.
18 to 22 lbs 4 to 5 days 4½ to 5 hrs.
22 to 24 lbs 5 to 6 days 5 to 5½ hrs.

Should I cover my turkey with foil while 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.

How long does it take to cook a 22 lb turkey in a bag?

For whole, unstuffed turkeys in oven cooking bags, cook at 350 °F for the following approximate times:
  1. 8-12 lb turkey: 1 1/2 to 2 hours;
  2. 12 to 16 lb turkey: 2 to 2 1/2 hours;
  3. 16-20 lb turkey: 2 1/2 to 3 hours;
  4. 20-24 lb turkey: 3 to 3 1/2 hours.

How long do you cook a stuffed 20 pound turkey?

Cover turkey loosely with a tent of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Cooking time takes longer for a stuffed turkey. For example, a 20 pound stuffed turkey will take 4 1/4 to 5 1/4 hours to cook.

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

Should You Put Water in the Turkey Roasting Pan? … 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.”

Does turkey skin get crispy in a bag?

The bag will cut your cooking time down, so go by box directions. Cooking in the bag will give you a juicy turkey but the skin won’t get crispy. If you like brown crispy skin, take the turkey out of the bag for the last 15 minutes of roasting.

Is it safe to cook a turkey overnight at 200 degrees?

This method is dangerous and involves cooking the turkey at 190 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit overnight for 12 to 13 hours. A low oven temperature means the turkey will take longer to heat, increasing the risk of harmful bacteria growth and the production of poisons that may not be destroyed with further cooking.

Is it better to cook a turkey in a bag or not?

Bottom line: If you’re looking to cook the turkey faster and keep its meat moist throughout, the bag’s for you. If you want to skip scrubbing the roasting pan, the bag’s for you. If you want the turkey’s skin to be evenly browned and crisped, it might not be for you.

What can you stuff inside a turkey?

Stuff You Need for Stuffing

To make a well-balanced stuffing, you will need a starch (think bread cubes, corn bread, rice, or even potatoes) to give your mixture some heft, a liquid (broth, wine, or even liquor) to add hydration, and aromatics (like herbs and onions) for that signature Thanksgiving flavor.

Where do I put the thermometer in the turkey?

Check Your Turkey’s Temperature with Incredibly Easy Thermometer Placement. Before cooking, if you have an oven safe leave in thermometer, insert the probe into the thigh. The tip of the thermometer should be placed into the thick part of thigh without touching the bone. Remove the turkey when it reaches 180°F.

Can you put turkey in oven bag the night before?

Should you wash your turkey?

According to a study by the food safety experts at the USDA, washing or rinsing raw turkey can put you at risk of foodborne illness. There’s only one time you should wash a raw turkey, and that is after brining. Otherwise, do not wash a turkey before cooking.

How often should you baste turkey?

How often to baste a 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.