Turkey Roasting Times Chart

This chart will help you determine approximately how long to roast stuffed and unstuffed turkey. Always use a meat thermometer to gauge doneness.

Night before wash turkey thoroughly inside and out. Cook neck and packaged meat in pan for later use in stuffing. Dry turkey with paper towels inside and out, do a thorough job.

Spray turkey roasting pan with "Pam"

Line with heavy duty Reynolds Wrap, lengthways and sideways. Place turkey in pan.

Rub a half cube of butter over outer area of bird. Stuff with favorite stuffing.

Cover with outer lengths of Reynolds Wrap. Refrigerate

Next morning, app. 6:00am insert meat thermometer, empty contents of can of Swansons Chicken Broth around base of turkey and place on middle rack in 325* oven.

Place layer of Reynolds Wrap over lower rack to catch any drippings.

For a stuffed turkey, the roasting time may vary up to 30 minutes, depending upon the bird and the oven. Use the meat thermometer to check the temperature of the dressing. The center of the dressing inside the bird (or in a separate baking dish) must reach a temperature of 190 degrees F. for food safety. Place the meat thermometer in the upper chest area, leave there throughout cooking process, will require special thermometer, can be purchased at Wal Mart.

App. 1 to 1 1/2 hours prior to being done unwrap foil from around top of bird and legs and baste every 15 minutes until done. Check to be sure pan contains liquid, this liquid will be used to make your home made turkey gravy when turkey has finished cooking.

For an unstuffed turkey, place the meat thermometer in the thickest part of the thigh, taking care that it does not touch any bone. Roast the turkey until the meat thermometer reaches 180 degrees F.

Roasting times are for a preheated 325 degrees F. oven.

Approximate Roasting Times for Stuffed Turkey

Turkey Weight Hours - Times approximate, temp. settings important
6 to 8 pounds 3 to 3-1/2 hours
8 to 12 pounds 3-1/2 to 4-1/2 hours
12 to 16 pounds 4-1/2 to 5-1/2 hours
16 to 20 pounds 5-1/2 to 6 hours
20 to 24 pounds 6 to 6-1/2 hours

Approximate Roasting Times for Unstuffed Turkey
Turkey Weight Hours
6 to 8 pounds 2-1/2 to 3 hours
8 to 12 pounds 3 to 4 hours
12 to 16 pounds 4 to 5 hours
16 to 20 pounds 5 to 5-1/2 hours
20 to 24 pounds 5-1/2 to 6 hours