Cooking · roasting

Turkey cooking time calculator

Plan your turkey by weight — with the USDA-safe target, a realistic time estimate, and the reminder that a thermometer beats the clock.

In short

A 12 lb unstuffed turkey at 325°F runs roughly 2¾–3 hours. It's done when the thickest part of the thigh and the breast both reach 165°F — begin checking early, because birds finish at their own pace.

Roast details

Roasting plan
Pull from oven at136°F
Final after rest145°F
Carryover rise+8–10°F
Time
Rest

About this estimate

This page locks the turkey cooking time into the roasting calculator. Time is a planning estimate — oven calibration, shape, bone, and starting temperature all change it. The reliable test is a probe thermometer in the thickest part, away from bone: pull at temperature, not at the clock.

Need a different cut or weight? Use the full roasting time calculator.

How long to cook a turkey per pound?
About 13–15 minutes per pound for an unstuffed bird at 325°F. A 12 lb turkey is roughly 2¾–3 hours, a 16 lb bird around 3½–4 hours. Add 15–30 minutes if stuffed.
What temperature should turkey reach?
165°F in the thickest part of the thigh and the breast — the USDA safe minimum for all poultry. There is no safe medium-rare for turkey.
Should I cook a turkey at 325°F or higher?
USDA recommends roasting at no lower than 325°F. Some cooks start hotter for browning, but 325°F gives even, reliable results.
Do I need to rest the turkey?
Yes — rest a whole turkey 15–30 minutes before carving so the juices redistribute. The internal temperature also rises a few degrees as it rests.

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