The short answer
How long to cook a turkey depends mostly on its weight: at 325°F, the USDA says an unstuffed 12 to 14 lb turkey takes about 3 to 3¾ hours, and a 20 to 24 lb turkey takes about 4½ to 5 hours. However, the clock is only a guide. The turkey is done when a food thermometer reads 165°F in the thickest part of the breast, the innermost thigh and the wing.
- Oven temperature: 325°F or higher, per USDA FSIS.
- Rule of thumb: roughly 13 to 15 minutes per pound for an unstuffed 12 to 24 lb bird (our math from the USDA chart).
- Stuffed turkey: add up to about 30 minutes; the stuffing must also hit 165°F.
- Frozen turkey: it is safe, but expect at least 50% more time.
- Rest: 20 minutes before carving.
325°F
Minimum oven temperature (USDA)
165°F
Safe internal temperature
20 min
Rest before carving
+50%
Extra time if cooked from frozen
Last checked: October 13, 2026, against the current USDA FSIS roasting timetable.
In this article
Roasting the turkey is the one Thanksgiving job that sets the schedule for everything else, so knowing how long to cook a turkey before you buy one saves a lot of stress. Thanksgiving 2026 falls on Thursday, November 26, and this guide gives you the times, temperatures and timeline to land a juicy, safe bird on the table. For the rest of the holiday plan, see our Thanksgiving 2026 complete guide.
Every number below comes from the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the federal agency that sets safe handling and cooking guidance for meat and poultry in the US. Where we mention Butterball, the largest US turkey brand, or an oven-bag maker, we note that their charts differ slightly from the USDA. In short, use the chart to plan and a food thermometer to decide when the turkey is actually done.
Turkey Cooking Time Chart by Pound (325°F)
The USDA turkey cooking time chart below is the standard most Americans plan around. It assumes a fully thawed bird roasting in a 325°F conventional oven on a rack in a shallow pan. Also, FSIS stresses that these times are approximate, so start checking the temperature about 30 minutes before the low end of the range.
| Turkey weight | Unstuffed (325°F) | Stuffed (325°F) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 to 6 lb (breast) | 1½ to 3¼ hours (4 to 8 lb breast) | Not usually applicable |
| 6 to 8 lb (breast) | 1½ to 3¼ hours (4 to 8 lb breast) | 2½ to 3½ hours |
| 8 to 12 lb | 2¾ to 3 hours | 3 to 3½ hours |
| 12 to 14 lb | 3 to 3¾ hours | 3½ to 4 hours |
| 14 to 18 lb | 3¾ to 4¼ hours | 4 to 4¼ hours |
| 18 to 20 lb | 4¼ to 4½ hours | 4¼ to 4¾ hours |
| 20 to 24 lb | 4½ to 5 hours | 4¾ to 5¼ hours |
Meanwhile, Butterball publishes its own chart with somewhat shorter times for large birds. For example, Butterball’s regular-oven chart, as republished by ABC7 Chicago lists 3½ to 4 hours for an unstuffed 18 to 22 lb turkey and 4½ to 5 hours for 24 to 30 lb. Because ovens and birds vary, the safest plan is to budget the USDA time and start checking early.
Pro tip. If your bird weighs more than 24 lb, the USDA chart stops there. Butterball’s chart covers 24 to 30 lb turkeys at 4½ to 5 hours unstuffed, so use that as a starting point and rely on the thermometer.
How Long to Cook a Turkey Per Pound
As a rough rule, plan on about 13 to 15 minutes per pound for an unstuffed turkey between 12 and 24 lb at 325°F. We worked that out from the USDA ranges: a 12 lb bird at about 3 hours is 15 minutes per pound, while a 24 lb bird at 5 hours is closer to 12½ minutes per pound. In other words, bigger turkeys cook slightly faster per pound, so a flat per-pound formula overestimates the time for very large birds.
Turkey cooking time calculator: the quick math
- Find your weight band in the USDA turkey cooking time chart above.
- Then take the low end of the range as your first temperature check.
- Next, add up to 30 minutes if you stuff the bird, or at least 50% if it is still frozen.
- Finally, add 20 minutes of resting time and about 20 minutes for carving before you plan dinner.
So how long to cook a turkey that weighs 16 lb? It falls in the 14 to 18 lb band, which means 3¾ to 4¼ hours unstuffed. Check it at about 3¼ hours, then every 15 to 20 minutes after that.
Turkey Cooking Time for 12, 14, 15, 20 and 22 lb Birds
These are the sizes people search for most. Each answer uses the USDA chart for a thawed turkey in a 325°F oven.
How long to cook a 12 lb turkey?
An unstuffed 12 lb turkey takes about 2¾ to 3 hours at 325°F, according to the USDA 8 to 12 lb band. If you stuff it, plan on 3 to 3½ hours. A bird this size feeds about 12 people, since FSIS suggests 1 pound of turkey per person.
How long to cook a 14 lb turkey at 325?
A 14 lb turkey needs about 3 to 3¾ hours unstuffed at 325°F, or 3½ to 4 hours stuffed. Because 14 lb sits at the top of the 12 to 14 lb band, expect it to land closer to the longer end.
How long to cook a 15 lb turkey?
Plan on 3¾ to 4¼ hours for an unstuffed 15 lb turkey at 325°F, and 4 to 4¼ hours if it is stuffed. Start checking the thigh temperature at about 3½ hours.
How long to cook a 20 lb turkey?
An unstuffed 20 lb turkey takes about 4¼ to 4½ hours at 325°F, while a stuffed one takes 4¼ to 4¾ hours. That size typically feeds around 20 guests, so it is a popular choice for big family gatherings.
How long to cook a 22 lb turkey?
A 22 lb turkey needs about 4½ to 5 hours unstuffed at 325°F, or 4¾ to 5¼ hours stuffed. With a bird this large, make sure your roasting pan and oven rack fit it before Thanksgiving morning.
| Weight | Unstuffed | Stuffed | Feeds about |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 lb | 2¾ to 3 hours | 3 to 3½ hours | 12 people |
| 14 lb | 3 to 3¾ hours | 3½ to 4 hours | 14 people |
| 15 lb | 3¾ to 4¼ hours | 4 to 4¼ hours | 15 people |
| 20 lb | 4¼ to 4½ hours | 4¼ to 4¾ hours | 20 people |
| 22 lb | 4½ to 5 hours | 4¾ to 5¼ hours | 22 people |
How Long to Cook a Stuffed Turkey?
A stuffed turkey usually takes up to about 30 minutes longer than an unstuffed one of the same weight, based on the USDA chart. More importantly, the center of the stuffing must reach 165°F, and it often lags behind the meat.
For that reason, FSIS says stuffing a turkey is not recommended for optimum safety, and it suggests baking stuffing in a casserole dish instead. If you still prefer the classic method, FSIS advises the following:
- Prepare wet and dry ingredients ahead, but keep them separate and chill the wet ones.
- Mix them just before stuffing, then fill the cavities loosely.
- Put the turkey in the oven immediately after stuffing it.
- Check the center of the stuffing with a food thermometer; it must reach 165°F.
- Remove all the stuffing from the cavity before carving.
Watch out. Never buy a fresh, pre-stuffed turkey. FSIS warns that bacteria in the stuffing can multiply quickly. Frozen pre-stuffed turkeys with a USDA or state inspection mark are different: cook them straight from frozen and follow the package directions.
What Is the Safe Turkey Internal Temperature?
A whole turkey is safe when it reaches a minimum internal temperature of 165°F, measured with a food thermometer. FSIS says to check three spots: the innermost part of the thigh, the innermost part of the wing and the thickest part of the breast.
Is turkey done at 160 or 165?
Turkey is done at 165°F, not 160°F, according to USDA safety guidance. That said, a turkey can read 165°F in the thigh before the breast catches up, so verify every spot before you carve. Likewise, you may cook it hotter for texture; Butterball, for instance, targets 180°F in the thigh and 165°F in the breast.
Where to put the thermometer
Insert an oven-safe thermometer into the thickest part of the inner thigh at the start of roasting, without touching bone. Once the thigh hits 165°F, check the wing and the thickest part of the breast as well. For a turkey breast on its own, place the probe in the thickest part.
Watch out. Do not trust the pop-up timer alone. FSIS recommends confirming the temperature in the thigh, wing and breast with a food thermometer even when the turkey came with a pop-up indicator.
What Temperature Should You Cook a Turkey At?
Cook a turkey at 325°F or higher; FSIS says never to set the oven lower than 325°F. All the standard turkey cooking time chart numbers assume 325°F, which is why it is the default in most recipes.
Higher heat works too, especially for smaller or butterflied birds, but it shortens the cooking time, so the 325°F chart no longer applies. In addition, FSIS shares a few optional hints for even roasting:
- Tuck the wing tips under the shoulders, a position called akimbo.
- Add ½ cup of water to the bottom of the pan.
- If your pan has no lid, tent the turkey with heavy-duty foil for the first 1 to 1½ hours, then uncover it.
- Once the skin reaches the color you like, cover it loosely with foil to prevent overbrowning.
Frozen Turkey and Turkey Breast Cooking Times
How long to cook a frozen turkey?
You can safely cook a turkey straight from frozen, but it takes at least 50% longer than a thawed one, according to FSIS. For example, a 12 lb unstuffed turkey that needs about 3 hours thawed will need roughly 4½ hours from frozen. Remove the giblet packages carefully with tongs or a fork partway through cooking, once they loosen.
| Weight | Thawed (unstuffed) | From frozen (at least) |
|---|---|---|
| 12 lb | 2¾ to 3 hours | about 4 to 4½ hours |
| 14 lb | 3 to 3¾ hours | about 4½ to 5½ hours |
| 20 lb | 4¼ to 4½ hours | about 6½ to 6¾ hours |
| 24 lb | 4½ to 5 hours | about 6¾ to 7½ hours |
However, if you still have time, thawing gives more even results. See our turkey thawing guide for fridge start dates before November 26, 2026.
How long to cook a turkey breast?
A 4 to 8 lb bone-in turkey breast takes about 1½ to 3¼ hours at 325°F, according to the USDA chart. If you stuff a 6 to 8 lb breast, allow 2½ to 3½ hours. As with a whole bird, the thickest part of the breast must reach 165°F.
Spatchcock, Oven Bag, Convection and Other Methods
Oven roasting is not the only route. FSIS publishes estimated times for alternate methods, and brand guidance covers oven bags and convection ovens. In every case, the turkey still has to reach 165°F.
| Method | Turkey size | Estimated time | Key notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grill (covered gas or charcoal) | 8 to 16 lb | 15 to 18 min per lb | Keep grill air at 225 to 300°F; use a drip pan; do not stuff |
| Smoker | 8 to 12 lb | 20 to 30 min per lb | Keep smoker air at 225 to 300°F; do not stuff |
| Deep fryer | 8 to 12 lb | 3 to 5 min per lb | Oil at 350°F; do not stuff |
| Electric roaster oven | 8 to 24 lb | About the same as oven roasting | At least 325°F; check the appliance manual |
| Microwave | 8 to 14 lb | 9 to 10 min per lb at 50% power | Use an oven cooking bag; rotate; do not stuff |
| Oven bag (350°F) | 12 to 16 lb | 2 to 2¼ hours unstuffed | Reynolds chart; 2½ to 2¾ hours stuffed |
| Convection oven (325°F) | 10 to 18 lb | 2 to 2½ hours unstuffed | Butterball chart; check your oven manual |
Spatchcock turkey: fastest oven method
Spatchcocking means cutting out the backbone and flattening the bird, so it cooks much faster and more evenly at high heat. For example, Williams Sonoma’s spatchcocked turkey recipe roasts a 10 to 14 lb bird for 30 minutes at 450°F, then about 1 to 1½ hours at 400°F.
- Total time: roughly 1½ to 2 hours for a 10 to 14 lb bird in that recipe.
- Doneness: the recipe targets 165°F in the breast and 175°F in the thigh.
- Best for: cooks short on oven time or anyone who wants crisp skin all over.
Roasting bag: quickest whole-bird roast
An oven cooking bag traps steam, so a whole turkey cooks faster than in an open pan. Reynolds Kitchens lists times at 350°F for unstuffed birds from 10 to 24 lb.
- 10 to 12 lb: 1½ to 2 hours unstuffed.
- 16 to 20 lb: 2¼ to 2½ hours unstuffed.
- 20 to 24 lb: 2½ to 3 hours unstuffed; 3 to 3½ hours stuffed.
- Rule: FSIS says to follow the bag maker’s directions and never to use a bag for a frozen turkey.
How Long Should a Turkey Rest?
Let the turkey rest for 20 minutes before carving, as FSIS recommends. Resting lets the juices set, and as a result the meat carves more cleanly and stays moister.
Butterball suggests a shorter 15-minute rest, so anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes works. Meanwhile, use the rest period to make gravy from the pan drippings and to warm sides in the now-free oven. Also, remove all the stuffing from the cavity during this time if you cooked it inside the bird.
Thanksgiving 2026 Turkey Timeline
Work backward from your dinner time. Here is a sample plan for a 15 lb unstuffed turkey served at 4:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 26, 2026.
| Time | Step |
|---|---|
| 10:30 a.m. | Take the thawed turkey out, remove giblets and neck, pat dry |
| 10:45 a.m. | Preheat the oven to 325°F |
| 11:00 a.m. | Turkey goes in (3¾ to 4¼ hours estimated) |
| 2:15 p.m. | First thermometer check in the inner thigh |
| 2:45 to 3:15 p.m. | Turkey reaches 165°F in thigh, wing and breast; remove from oven |
| 3:15 to 3:35 p.m. | Rest 20 minutes; make gravy and finish sides |
| 3:40 p.m. | Carve and plate |
| 4:00 p.m. | Dinner is served |
Pro tip. Build in a 30-minute buffer. Turkeys often finish earlier or later than the chart, and a rested turkey loosely tented with foil stays warm while you wait for sides.
Hosting a smaller crowd the weekend before? Our Friendsgiving ideas post covers potluck menus that pair well with a turkey breast or a spatchcocked bird.
How Long Are Turkey Leftovers Safe?
Refrigerate turkey leftovers within 2 hours of cooking, or within 1 hour if the room is above 90°F, according to FSIS. Then use the turkey, stuffing and gravy within 3 to 4 days.
- Store: divide leftovers into small portions in shallow, covered containers so they cool quickly.
- Freeze: use frozen leftovers within 2 to 6 months for best quality.
- Reheat: warm turkey to 165°F in an oven set no lower than 325°F; add a little broth and cover it to keep it moist.
Questions on Thanksgiving Day? The USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline answers at 1-888-674-6854, and Butterball’s Turkey Talk-Line is at 1-800-288-8372. Check each service’s holiday hours before you rely on them.
Our verdict
For most families, how long to cook a turkey comes down to one simple plan: roast it unstuffed at 325°F, budget the USDA time for its weight, and start checking early. A 12 to 14 lb bird takes about 3 to 3¾ hours, and a 20 to 24 lb bird takes about 4½ to 5 hours.
Ultimately, though, the thermometer has the final word. Pull the turkey when the thigh, wing and breast all read 165°F, rest it for 20 minutes, and bake the stuffing separately for the safest result. If oven space is tight, a spatchcocked turkey or an oven bag can cut the cooking time substantially.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long to cook a 14 lb turkey at 325?
A 14 lb unstuffed turkey takes about 3 to 3¾ hours at 325°F, according to the USDA roasting chart. If you stuff it, allow 3½ to 4 hours. Start checking with a food thermometer around 2½ to 3 hours, and remove the turkey once the thigh, wing and thickest part of the breast all reach 165°F. Then let it rest for 20 minutes.
How long do you cook a turkey per pound?
Plan on roughly 13 to 15 minutes per pound for an unstuffed turkey between 12 and 24 lb at 325°F, based on the USDA chart. Smaller birds take a little longer per pound and bigger birds slightly less. Stuffing adds up to about 30 minutes in total, and cooking from frozen adds at least 50%. Always confirm doneness at 165°F.
Is turkey done at 160 or 165?
Turkey is safe at 165°F, not 160°F. The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service says a whole turkey must reach a minimum internal temperature of 165°F in the innermost thigh, the innermost wing and the thickest part of the breast. Check all three spots, because one area can lag behind the others.
How long to cook a frozen turkey?
A frozen turkey takes at least 50% longer than a thawed one, according to USDA FSIS. For example, a 12 lb turkey that needs about 3 hours thawed needs roughly 4½ hours from frozen. Remove the giblet packages with tongs once they loosen during cooking, and never use an oven cooking bag for a frozen bird.
How long should you let a turkey rest?
Let a roast turkey rest for about 20 minutes before carving, as USDA FSIS recommends. Resting allows the juices to set, so the meat stays moist and carves more easily. Butterball suggests 15 minutes, so 15 to 20 minutes is a good window. Use the time to make gravy and warm the side dishes.
How long to cook a 22 lb turkey?
A 22 lb unstuffed turkey takes about 4½ to 5 hours at 325°F, based on the USDA 20 to 24 lb band. A stuffed 22 lb turkey needs about 4¾ to 5¼ hours. Begin checking the inner thigh temperature at about 4 hours, and finish when the thigh, wing and breast all reach 165°F.
