Perú
México
Families in the United States are preparing to celebrate Thanksgiving this Thursday, November 27, and as part of the tradition, the typical dish that will be served on that special date will be a delicious turkey. Therefore, in this article we will share with you the best tips so you can cook the turkey at the ideal temperature.
How long should you cook a turkey?
According to Vanessa Greaves, editor of the Allrecipes website and a cook with 20 years of experience, the cooking time for a turkey can vary depending on the oven temperature and whether the turkey recipe requires stuffing or unstuffing. If it is a roasted turkey, she recommends cooking it at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 13 minutes per pound for an unstuffed turkey.
Below is a table of turkey cooking times, based on weight in pounds and the number of servings you need to serve:
| TURKEY WEIGHT | SERVINGS | COOKING TIME |
|---|---|---|
| 10 to 12 lb | 6 to 8 | 2 1/4 to 2 3/4 hours |
| 12 to 14 lb | 8 to 10 | 2 3/4 to 3 hours |
| 15 to 18 lb | 10 to 12 | 3 1/4 to 4 hours |
| 18 to 20 lb | 12 to 14 | 4 to 4 1/4 hours |
| 20 to 22 lb | 14 to 16 | 4 1/4 to 4 3/4 hours |
| 23 to 24 lb | 16 to 20 | 5 to 5 1/4 hours |
Top Tips
- Turkey is cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F (75 degrees C)
- Let the turkey rest for at least 30 minutes before carving and serving.
- It is recommended to use an oven thermometer and a meat thermometer for accurate temperature readings.
How long should you defrost a turkey?
There are three ways to defrost a turkey: in the refrigerator, in cold water, and in the microwave (you should read the manual for a successful result).
| Turkey Weight | How Long to Thaw in the Fridge | How Long to Thaw in Cold Water |
|---|---|---|
| 10 to 18 pounds | 2 to 3½ days | 5 to 9 hours |
| 12 to 22 pounds | 3½ to 4½ days | 6 to 11 hours |
| 22 to 24 pounds | 4½ to 5 days | 11 to 12 hours |
| 24 to 29 pounds | 5 to 6 days | 12 to 15 hours |
