The perfect roasting time per pound of turkey

The stress of the holidays can cause you to make drastic decisions (like serving a Thanksgiving dinner made entirely of canned goods). On the other hand, you can ease the stress of holiday cooking by knowing what to expect before you even step foot in the kitchen, especially when it comes to cooking the turkey. Calculating the cooking time for a whole bird can be a bit complex. So we spoke to recipe developer and lifestyle expert Peter Som to get some exclusive answers.

Som says to cook an unstuffed turkey “to allow about 15 to 20 minutes per pound at 325 degrees Fahrenheit.” Based on these numbers, it should take three to four hours to fully cook a 12-pound bird. The recipe developer also strongly recommends home cooks make sure “the internal temperature of the breast meat is 165 degrees Fahrenheit,” which you can check with a meat thermometer. You should always use a meat thermometer as this is the only way to accurately determine the internal temperature of your food. In addition to checking the breast meat, stick the thermometer probe into the inside of the wing and thigh to make sure the turkey is fully cooked. Additionally, avoid probing cartilage and bone. These areas can result in inaccurate readings.

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A stuffed bird requires more time in the oven

Stuffing is a popular part of Thanksgiving feasts in many households, but it comes with some potential limitations. It’s worth noting that, while common, cooking the stuffing inside the turkey is one of the many stuffing mistakes people make. Roasting a stuffed turkey can increase the risk of foodborne illness if the interior doesn’t cook completely, potentially resulting in the bird being overcooked. It is possible to cook stuffing in a turkey safely and effectively, but you will need to make some adjustments.

According to Peter Som, cooking a stuffed turkey requires “a little extra time.” If the oven is set to 325 degrees Fahrenheit, the cooking time per pound of turkey will be about 20 to 25 minutes. This means it should take four to five hours to finish cooking a 12-pound stuffed turkey. To keep the bird nice and moist, cover half of the top with aluminum foil to prevent too much liquid from evaporating. Roasting turkey certainly isn’t easy, but Som’s tips will ensure your efforts result in a juicy and delicious bird.

Read the original article on Mashed.