3 1/2 hours.
The first thing to consider when planning when to put the turkey in the oven is the stuffing. A stuffed turkey takes longer to cook than an unstuffed turkey. Assuming you are roasting your turkey in a 325°F oven, plan on 15 to 17 minutes of cooking time for each pound of an unstuffed turkey. Plan on 20 to 22 minutes per pound for a stuffed turkey. Turkey Cooking Times. If this is the first year you are the host for Thanksgiving, you probably have a host of questions. At the top of the list of turkey questions we can answer: turkey cooking times. Because turkey cooking times are dependent on many variables, we have a lot of information for you. Aluminum foil can be tented over the turkey near the end of the cooking time to keep the skin from becoming too brown. Use a meat thermometer to determine the proper doneness, which is at least 170°F for the breast and 180°F for the thigh. 1 Roasting a turkey breast-side down for the first hour will keep the turkey moist. 2  Turn turkey over after first hour to finish cooking. 3  Celery layered at the base of a roasting pan adds flavor to the juices for delicious gravy. Be sure to plan ahead — it takes approximately 4-5 days for a 20-pound turkey to fully defrost. 2. For crisper skin, unwrap the turkey the day before roasting and leave it uncovered in the refrigerator overnight. 3. Cooking times will differ depending on whether your bird was purchased fresh or frozen. Plan on 20 minutes per pound in a 350 degree F oven for a defrosted turkey and 10 to 15 minutes per pound for fresh. 4. A turkey will cook more evenly if it is not densely stuffed.  Roast the turkey: The rule of thumb for cooking a turkey is 13 minutes per pound. So our 16-pound turkey was estimated to cook in about 3 1/2 hours. However, some factors like brining the bird, cooking with an empty (un-stuffed) cavity, and leaving the legs un-trussed will contribute to much faster cooking.  4-1/2 to 5 hours. 5-1/2 to 6-1/4 hours. Cook the turkey until the skin is a light golden color, and then cover loosely with a foil tent. During the last 45 minutes of baking, remove the foil tent to brown the skin. Basting is not necessary, but will promote even browning. The only true test for doneness is the temperature of the meat, not the color of the skin. 1  The turkey is done when the thigh meat reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. 1 If your turkey has been stuffed, it is important to check the temperature of the dressing; it should be 165 degrees F (75 degrees C). 2  When the turkey is done, remove from the oven and allow to stand for 20-30 minutes before carving. Using an accurate meat thermometer is the best way to ensure the proper doneness of turkey meat. Use the following chart as a turkey cooking time and temperature guide for whole turkeys and turkey parts that are oven baked or roasted, grilled, or are inserted into an oven bag prior to cooking the turkey.  1 When turkey is about ¾ done, loosely cover breast and top of drumsticks with a piece of foil to prevent overcooking. 2  After about 3 hours, insert an oven-safe thermometer deep into the thigh without touching the bone. 3  Begin checking the turkey for doneness about 30 minutes before the recommended cook time. 1 Do not add water to pan. 2  Roast uncovered according to Cooking Schedule or until meat thermometer in center of breast roast reaches 170° F and in center of turkey roast reaches 175° F. 3  Roasting time will vary if turkey is covered or placed in an oven-cooking bag. The oven-roasting bag keeps the turkey very moist and it speeds up the roasting time. The following cooking times can be used as a guideline for an unstuffed turkey roasted in an oven bag in a 350°F conventional oven. An additional 30 minutes or more may be required for a stuffed turkey. 1 Roasting a turkey breast-side down for the first hour will keep the turkey moist. 2  Turn turkey over after first hour to finish cooking. 3  Celery layered at the base of a roasting pan adds flavor to the juices for delicious gravy. 1 After about 3 hours, insert an oven-safe thermometer deep into the thigh without touching the bone. 2  Begin checking the turkey for doneness about 30 minutes before the recommended cook time. 3  Your turkey is done when the temperature with a meat thermometer is 180° F in thigh and 165° F in breast or stuffing. 1 Do not add water to pan. 2  Roast uncovered according to Cooking Schedule or until meat thermometer in center of breast roast reaches 170° F and in center of turkey roast reaches 175° F. 3  Roasting time will vary if turkey is covered or placed in an oven-cooking bag.
http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/holidays-and-entertaining/holidays/Thanksgiving/turkey-cooking-times.aspx http://www.recipetips.com/kitchen-tips/t--644/roasting-a-turkey-turkey-cooking-times.asp http://www.foodnetwork.com/holidays-and-parties/articles/top-turkey-tips.html http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-cook-a-turkey-the-simplest-easiest-method-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-160905 http://dish.allrecipes.com/turkey-cooking-time-guide/ http://www.recipetips.com/kitchen-tips/t--910/turkey-cooking-times.asp http://www.butterball.com/how-tos/roast-a-turkey http://www.recipetips.com/kitchen-tips/t--644/roasting-a-turkey-turkey-cooking-times.asp http://www.butterball.com/how-tos/roast-a-turkey
cooking time for turkey