How to Use the Turkey Cooking Calculator
The Simple Answer
The Turkey Cooking Calculator gives the USDA roasting time range for a turkey at 325 degrees F by weight, stuffed or not, plus the 165 degree F thermometer rule and the latest time to put it in the oven.
What the tool does
The times come from the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service table for a fresh or fully thawed turkey in a 325 degree F oven. They are a range, never one number, because many things change the time: a stuffed bird, a dark or deep pan, a foil tent, a cooking bag, an oven that runs hot or cool.
How to use it
- Choose a whole turkey, stuffed or not, or a turkey breast.
- Enter the weight in pounds.
- If you like, choose the time you want to serve.
- Read the time range and the latest time to put it in the oven, and use a thermometer to know when it is done.
A worked example
If you pick a serving time, the page counts back from it. It allows the 20 minutes USDA suggests the bird stands before carving, and the longest time in the range, so even a slow turkey is ready.
Things to know
- The turkey is done when a food thermometer reads 165 degrees F in the thickest part of the breast, the innermost part of the thigh and the innermost part of the wing, and in the center of the stuffing if there is any. The thermometer decides, not the clock.
- The turkey must be fresh or fully thawed.
- This is general food-safety information, not a substitute for the label or your equipment's directions.
Common questions
Why a range and not one time? Because pan, oven, stuffing and foil all change the time.
How long should it rest? The page allows 20 minutes before carving, as USDA suggests.
Turkey Cooking Calculator: Open the Turkey Cooking Calculator and try your own numbers.