If the turkey is approaching the right serving temperature too quickly, try turning the oven down and tenting the breasts with aluminum foil. If all else fails and the bird is already done cooking, wrap it in layers of foil, then set it in a preheated cooler until serving time.
What if my turkey is cooking too fast?
The Problem: The Turkey Cooked Too Fast
Then wrap it in a big towel. If you have one, put it in a large cooler that has been heated by filling it with boiling water, then emptied. The trick here is to let the turkey hold its temperature without letting it cook anymore. Keep it warm without adding heat.
Why do turkeys cook faster now?
Today’s turkeys take less time to cook than in the past because new turkey breeds have a higher proportion of white meat, which cooks faster than dark. With this in mind, the USDA and National Turkey Federation have revised roasting timetables.
Can a turkey be done in 2 hours?
The trick to having a turkey ready in two hours is to use a hot oven and a small turkey. I learned this recipe originally from Julia Child, but I’ve changed it along the way. The turkey should be no more than 14 pounds. If the roasting pan is more than 2 inches larger than the turkey, the juices may burn.
Can I slow down the cooking of my turkey?
To slow roast a turkey, you’ll bake in a very slow oven over a period of several hours – typically 8 to 12, depending on the size of the bird. And this long, slow process results in impossibly tender meat that literally falls off the bone, and a golden, deep flavor, and crisp brown skin.
How do you keep a turkey warm for 4 hours?
A kitchen towel placed over the foil helps keep the meat warm and moist until it’s time to be carved and served. For another option, cover the bird with foil and return it to a low-temperature, 200F oven. Place a pan of water under the turkey to create steam, which contributes to moistness.
What part of the turkey takes the longest to cook?
thigh
Experts recommend taking the turkey’s temperature in the thickest part of the thigh, being sure to stay away from the bone, because that’s the portion of the turkey that takes the longest to cook.
How long should a 15lb turkey cook?
The simplest way to figure out turkey roasting times is to calculate 13 minutes per pound at 350°F for an unstuffed turkey (that’s about 3 hours for a 12- to 14-lb.
If your turkey weighs 15 to 16 pounds, roast it at:
- 425°F for 3 to 3¼ hours.
- 400°F for 3¼ to 3½ hours.
- 350°F for 3½ to 3¾ hours.
- 325°F for 3¾ to 4 hours.
How long should a 20lb turkey cook?
If you’re baking it at 325°F (the lowest temperature the USDA recommends), you’ll need to bake a 20-lb turkey in the oven for 4 to 5 hours if it’s unstuffed, and 4 ¼ to 5 ¼ hours if it’s stuffed.
Is it better to cook a turkey at 325 or 350?
Do I Cook a Turkey at 325 or 350 Degrees? Though “low and slow” is a good rule for cooking a bird all the way through without burning it, there’s no hard-and-fast rule. All of our temperature guides assume you’re cooking at 325, but you can cook it a little warmer for roughly the same, or just a little less time.
Can a turkey cook in 3 hours?
According to the USDA, for an unstuffed turkey roasting at 325 degrees, you should allow 2¾ to 3 hours for an 8- to 12-pound turkey; 3 to 3¾ hours for a 12- to 14-pounder; 3¾ to 4¼ hours for a 14- to 18-pounder; 4¼ to 4½ hours for an 18- to 20-pounder and 4½ to 5 hours for an 20- to 24-pounder.
Does turkey continue to cook while resting?
“Indeed, when you take the turkey out and you leave the thermometer in, the temperature will continue to rise for about 45 minutes. It will carry on cooking so you must never cover the bird. Put it to the side and rest it for at least one hour.”
Should I cover my turkey with foil while cooking?
To achieve that balance, the ideal is to let the bird spend time both covered and uncovered: We recommend covering your bird for most of the cooking time to prevent it from drying out, then removing the cover for the last 30 minutes or so to allow the skin to crisp.
Is it safe to cook a turkey overnight at 200 degrees?
This method is dangerous and involves cooking the turkey at 190 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit overnight for 12 to 13 hours. A low oven temperature means the turkey will take longer to heat, increasing the risk of harmful bacteria growth and the production of poisons that may not be destroyed with further cooking.
What is the best temperature to cook a turkey?
Begin by roasting your turkey at 425°F for 40 to 45 minutes before lowering the temperature of the oven to 350°F for the rest of the cook time. Like the other method, it’s a good idea to brush the turkey every 15 to 20 minutes with butter or olive oil to help the surface brown and keep the meat moist.
How long does it take to cook a 22 pound turkey?
We recommend roasting turkey at 350 degrees F for 13 minutes per pound for an unstuffed turkey.
How Long to Cook a Turkey.
| Turkey Weight | Servings | Cooking Time |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
How do I keep my turkey warm without drying it out?
If your oven isn’t stuffed full of other dishes, or if you are one of the lucky folks who have a spare oven, then you can hold the turkey there at 200°F, although you should cover the bird to make sure it doesn’t dry out. The most common way to keep a turkey warm is to cover it with foil.
How do you keep turkey warm and moist before serving?
Catherine Cutter offers the following advice: Don’t carve the bird before the guests arrive. Keeping it whole will keep the cooked poultry meat from drying out. Cover it with foil, and put it in a 200°F oven with a pan of water on the bottom of the oven to keep the bird moist.
How long can turkey sit out after cooking?
Cooked turkey that has been left out for longer than 2 hours (or 1 hour above 90° F) should be discarded. The reason is that bacteria grow rapidly when cooked turkey is kept at temperatures between 40° F and 140° F. To prevent foodborne illness, try to refrigerate the cooked turkey as soon as you can.
Can you mess up a turkey?
You Brine a Pre-Injected Turkey
Many mass-market frozen turkeys have been injected with a saline solution to keep them moist as they roast. If you soak this kind of turkey in your own wet-brine, or slather it with a dry brine, you’ll end up with extremely salty, possibly inedible turkey.
Why did my turkey cook unevenly?
If you’ve thawed your turkey in the fridge, you don’t want to put it straight from the fridge into the oven. Roasting a cold turkey can result in a dry, unevenly cooked turkey. So yes, after all your patience thawing that bird, there are still more temperature adjustments to be made.
Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. She has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts.