Your question: How many hours does it take to cook an 18 lb stuffed turkey?

Should You Marinate, Brine or Rub Before Cooking? Does it Affect The Cooking Time?

Is it better to cook a stuffed 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 do you cook an 18 lb stuffed turkey at 325 degrees?

If your turkey weighs 18 to 20 pounds, roast it at:

1. 425°F for 3½ to 3¾ hours.
2. 400°F for 3¾ to 4 hours.
3. 350°F for 4 to 4¼ hours.
4. 325°F for 4¼ to 4½ hours.

How many hours does it take to bake a 19 pound turkey?

In an oven set to 325 degrees Fahrenheit, cooking an 18- to 20-pound unstuffed thawed or fresh turkey will take between 4 1/4 and 4 1/2 hours, according to the USDA. This amounts to about 14 minutes of cooking time per pound. For a 19-pound turkey, this comes to about four hours and 26 minutes.

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.

How long should a turkey rest before carving?

The amount of resting time depends on the size of the bird, but at least 20 minutes is needed. A large bird can wait up to 40 minutes or longer, depending on the temperature of the room.

How do I keep my turkey moist?

Classic Bread Stuffing Recipe

1. Choose a fresh turkey instead of a frozen one. …
2. Roast two small turkeys rather than one large one. …
3. Brine the turkey. …
4. Rub soft butter under the skin. …
5. Truss loosely, or not at all. …
6. Roast the turkey upside down at first. …
7. Don’t overcook it. …
8. Let the turkey rest before carving.

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.

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.

How often do you baste the 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.

How long do you cook a turkey at 325?

How Long to Roast a Turkey

1. For one 8- to 12-pound turkey, roast at 325°F for 2¾ to 3 hours.
2. For one 12- to 14-pound turkey, roast at 325°F for 3 to 3¾ hours.
3. For one 14- to 18-pound turkey, roast at 325°F for 3¾ to 4¼ hours.
4. For one 18- to 20-pound turkey, roast at 325°F for 4¼ to 4½ hours.