Thanksgiving 2009: Butterball Turkey Cooking Times

How long should you keep the turkey in oven? How many hours per pound? How do I cook turkey the per-pound way? Ah, Thanksgiving. It’s a good thing the Butterball Turkey Hotline answers those questions for us!

Before cooking, place a meat thermometer in your turkey before you put it in the oven! If the turkey is stuffed, place the thermometer tip inside the stuffed cavity. If it’s not stuffed, put the tip of the meat thermometer in the thigh muscle just above and beyond the lower part of the thigh bone pointing toward the body. Don’t let it actually hit the bone.

Here’s a quick cooking time guide from Butterball:

Net Weight (in pounds and in hours)

10 to 18 lbs.: 3 to 3-1/2 hours, unstuffed; 3-3/4 to 4-1/2 hours, stuffed
18 to 22 lbs.: 3-1/2 to 4 4-1/2 hours, unstuffed; to 4-1/2 to 5 hours, stuffed
22 to 24 lbs.: 4 to 4-1/2 hours, unstuffed; 5 to 5-1/2 hours, stuffed
24 to 30 lbs.: 4-1/2 to 5 hours, unstuffed; 5-1/2 to 6-1/4 hours, stuffed

To check for doneness, check your meat thermometer reading:

80 to 185 degrees F deep in the thigh; also, juices should be clear, not pink when thigh muscle is pierced deeply.
170 to 175 degrees F in the thickest part of the breast, just above the rib bones.
160 to 165 degrees F in the center of the stuffing, if turkey is stuffed.

Following the quick guide and your sure to have a perfectly-cooked turkey for your family and guests to enjoy! Happy Thanksgiving!

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