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    Home » Recipes » Turkey Recipes » Turkey Temperature

    Turkey Temperature

    Published: Aug 18, 2023 Modified: Sep 1, 2023 by Isabel Laessig

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    My Turkey Temperature Chart has all of the information you need to cook the best turkey on the block this year! No more dried-out, overcooked turkey, or struggling to plan ahead – these are the best times and temps for turkey, no matter what cooking method you’re using.

    deep fried turkey on a bed of herbs
    Jump to:
    • Turkey Cook Time
    • What Temp is Turkey Done?
    • Turkey Cooking Time
    • Turkey Temperature Chart (Printable)
    • Turkey Temperature FAQs
    • Where to Put the Thermometer in a Turkey
    • How much turkey per person do I need?
    • When to Thaw Turkey
    • Turkey Smoking Times
    • Spatchcocked Turkey Cooking Time
    • Turkey Grilling Times
    • Deep Frying Turkey Times
    • Turkey Breast Cooking Times
    • What to Serve with Turkey
    • Seasoning for Turkey
    • 📋 Recipe
    • Turkey Temperature + Turkey Seasoning
    • 💬 Reviews

    Turkey Cook Time

    I look forward to cooking an amazing holiday turkey for my family every year, and the key to making sure everything goes smoothly is to plan ahead. The best way to plan ahead for cooking a turkey is to know when to start thawing turkey and, of course, what the ideal internal temperature for turkey is!

    My turkey temperature chart has everything you need to flawlessly prepare turkey, no matter what cooking method you’re using. And trust me, I have tried it all – from roasting turkey to deep frying, smoking, grilling, air frying, pressure cooking, and cooking a spatchcocked turkey and a turkey breast roast.

    From traditional roasted turkey to Instant Pot Turkey, Air Fryer Turkey, Smoked Turkey, Grilled Turkey, and even Deep Fried Turkey, this turkey cooking chart has it all!

    Enjoy cooking a perfect turkey this year – even better if you try one of my best turkey recipes!

    slicing smoked turkey with a knife and fork

    What Temp is Turkey Done?

    Top tip for cooking turkey: No matter what method you use, the internal temp for turkey will read 180°F with a instant-read thermometer inserted into the thigh and 170°F when inserted into the breast. When measuring internal turkey temperature, always use a meat thermometer.

    Turkey Cooking Time

    A turkey roasted in the oven will roast for about 13 minutes per pound for an unstuffed turkey. For a stuffed turkey, calculate about 15 minutes per pound. This is a general rule for safe temperature, and due to oven temperatures and other factors, it’s best to use a meat thermometer to measure the internal temp of turkey rather than relying on exact times.

    Turkey WeightFeedsHow Long to Roast Turkey
    10-18 poundsfeeds less than 10 peopleroast for 3-3.5 hours at 350°F (unstuffed)
    18-22 poundsfeeds 10 to 15 peopleroast for 3.5-4 hours at 350°F (unstuffed)
    22-24 poundsfeeds 16 to 20 peopleroast for 4-4.5 hours at 350°F (unstuffed)
    24-29 poundsfeeds more than 20 peopleroast for 4.5-5 hours at 350°F (unstuffed)
    chart showing cook times and serving size for different turkeys by pound

    Turkey Temperature Chart (Printable)

    graphic showing preview of printable turkey temp chart with roasting times for turkey

    Turkey Temperature FAQs

    Is turkey done at 170℉ or 180℉?

    Turkey is done when the minimum internal temperature reaches 180°F with a meat thermometer inserted into the thigh and 170°F when inserted into the breast. Always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temp of the turkey.

    Where is the best place for a thermometer on a turkey?

    Check the deepest part of the thigh and thickest part of the breast for the best read times on your meat thermometer when measuring the internal temp of turkey.

    Where to Put the Thermometer in a Turkey

    1. Insert a thermometer into the thickest portion of the turkey breast-side or the innermost portion of the thigh meat or dark meat, when cooking a whole turkey.
    2. Make sure the thermometer does not touch the bone or pan.
    3. When inserting the thermometer into breast meat, insert it from the side.

    How much turkey per person do I need?

    You can easily calculate how much turkey per person you will need by following a rule of about 1.5 pounds of turkey per person. Therefore, a 20-pound turkey will feed about 15 people with some leftovers. This will work for any of the following methods for preparing a turkey.

    When to Thaw Turkey

    If you’re not sure when you should start thawing turkey for Thanksgiving – turkey takes a while to thaw! – first, check my guide on How Long to Thaw a Turkey. In this guide, I review how to execute a fully thawed turkey safely and efficiently.

    Try my favorite roasted turkey recipes:

    Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe
    Tender and juicy, with herby citrus flavors and covered in garlic butter, this is truly the Best Turkey Recipe!
    Get this recipe!
    A whole garlic butter turkey on a white platter surrounded by fresh citrus and herbs
    Boneless Turkey Breast Recipe
    My juicy Boneless Turkey Breast Recipe is roasted with the most delicious turkey dry rub for a beautiful, crispy skin and is so tender!
    Get this recipe!
    Roast turkey breast in a pan with carrots and herbs

    Turkey Smoking Times

    Calculate how much time you need to smoke your turkey based on its weight. A smoked turkey should cook for about 15 minutes per pound with the temperature at 325°F.

    Turkey WeightFeedsHow Long to Smoke Turkey
    8 pounds5 guests and under2 hours
    15 pounds10 guests and under3 hours 45 minutes
    20 pounds15 guests and under5 hours
    Smoked Turkey
    Learn how to smoke turkey by following my easy Smoked Turkey Recipe! Delicious smoked turkey saves space in your oven and tastes incredible.
    Get this recipe!
    smoked turkey on a platter with vegetables

    Spatchcocked Turkey Cooking Time

    Turkey WeightCook Time for Spatchcocked Turkey at 300℉ (Smoker)
    10 lbs.2.5 hours
    15 lbs.2.5-3 hours
    18 lbs.4.5 hours
    20 lbs.5 hours

    For a roasted spatchcock turkey, cook at 450℉ for 25-30 minutes, then lower the temperature to 400℉ and roast for about 4-5 minutes per pound until the internal temperature reads 180°F with a meat thermometer inserted into the thigh and 170°F when inserted into the breast.

    Try one of my best smoked turkey recipes:

    Spatchcock Turkey
    Learn how to spatchcock turkey for the perfect moist turkey every time! This gorgeous dry brine turkey recipe cooks quickly and is so flavorful.
    Get this recipe!
    smoked dry brine turkey on a white plate

    Turkey Grilling Times

    Turkey grilling times vary based on the grill, the size of the turkey, and other factors. Your turkey should be fully thawed before cooking. Use your meat thermometer to check the turkey temperature in the breast and thighs before removing it from the grill and add more time as necessary. I like to check turkey every 30 minutes when grilling to see how it is coming along.

    If using a lower temperature than 450°F to grill turkey, calculate at 11 to 13 minutes per pound.

    Turkey WeightFeedsHow Long to Grill Turkey at 450°F (indirect heat)
    8-12 pounds10 guests and under1.5-2 hours
    15-18 pounds12 guests and under2 to 2.5 hours
    20-22 pounds15 guests and under2.5 to 3.25 hours

    Try my best Grilled Turkey Recipe:

    Juicy Grilled Turkey
    Your Thanksgiving plans are about to change forever! Our Juicy Grilled Turkey Recipe has the crispiest skin ever and is so juicy.
    Get this recipe!
    Grilled turkey recipe up close stuffed with citrus and herbs

    Deep Frying Turkey Times

    Deep-frying turkey is a process that should be done very carefully – be sure to check out my recipe for Deep Fried Turkey below! Make absolutely sure your turkey is completely thawed and dry before deep frying.

    No matter what size turkey you have, if you’re deep frying turkey, it will cook for 3.5 minutes per pound.

    Turkey WeightFeedsHow Long to Deep Fry Turkey
    8 pounds5 guests and under28 minutes
    10 pounds7 guests and under35 minutes
    15 pounds10 guests and under53 minutes
    18 pounds12 guests and under63 minutes
    20 pounds15 guests and under70 minutes
    30 pounds (maximum)22 guests and under105 minutes

    Follow my recipe for deep fried turkey for best results:

    Fried Turkey Recipe
    If you have always wanted to try a Deep Fried Turkey recipe for the holidays, now is the time! Learn how to deep fry turkey as safely and efficiently as possible for an unforgettable turkey dinner that’s moist, flavorful, and cooks in under an hour.
    Get this recipe!
    deep fried turkey up close with a slice cut
    beginning to slice into a deep fried turkey
    Deep Fried Turkey

    Turkey Breast Cooking Times

    For smaller turkeys cooked in the Air Fryer or Instant Pot, you will need to use specific size turkeys and follow exact cooking times. A whole turkey will not fit in either appliance, and a turkey breast must be used instead. If you like white meat, this is a great choice for you and your family.

    Temperature for Turkey Breast

    The proper temperature for turkey breast is 165°F.

    You can cook turkey breast in many ways, but I love making it in the Instant Pot, Air Fryer, or Sous Vide! For exact measurements and times, follow these recipes:

    Instant Pot Turkey Breast
    Potatoes cook underneath the turkey in our Instant Pot Turkey Breast Recipe, soaking up the drippings for the creamiest mashed potatoes you will ever eat and the juiciest turkey ever. Plus, you can save any leftover drippings to make gravy!
    Get this recipe!
    Slices of instant pot turkey breast covered with gravy and rosemary sprigs to the side
    Juicy Air Fryer Turkey Breast
    Learn how to make an Air Fryer Turkey Breast with garlic and fresh herbs, perfect for family Thanksgiving dinner in just 40 minutes!
    Get this recipe!
    Air fryer turkey breast on a platter with greens, citrus, and cranberries, sliced
    Sous Vide Turkey Breast
    Learn how to sous vide turkey following my sous vide turkey breast recipe! Delicious, moist, and so easy to make.
    Get this recipe!
    sous vide turkey up close with slices of lemon

    For a printer-friendly version of every turkey temp chart shown above, see: Turkey Temperature Chart (printer-friendly PDF)

    What to Serve with Turkey

    • Instant Pot Carrots
    • Turkey Gravy
    • Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe with celery
    • Creamy Mashed Potatoes
    • Creamed Corn Casserole

    Seasoning for Turkey

    • Butter Injection for Turkey
    • Turkey Rub
    • Compound Butter for Turkey
    • Dry Turkey Brine

    Check out my easy Thanksgiving Dinner Tips, and use the leftovers to make Turkey Stock, Turkey Carcass Soup, or my other Leftover Turkey Recipes!

    See my Steak Temperature Chart, Pork Temperature Chart and Chicken Temperature Chart next!

    📋 Recipe

    deep fried turkey seasoned with turkey seasoning

    Turkey Temperature + Turkey Seasoning

    Isabel Laessig
    You will love our turkey seasoning recipe for your turkey this year – no matter how you prepare it!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 3 minutes mins
    Total Time 3 minutes mins
    Course seasoning rub
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1
    Calories 223 kcal

    Equipment

    • Small bowl for mixing

    Ingredients
      

    • 1½ Tablespoons paprika
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
    • 1 Tablespoon chicken flavor bouillon
    • ½ Tablespoon sugar
    • ½ Tablespoon dry mustard
    Cooking Conversions

    See our Cooking Conversions Chart for help converting measurements!

    Instructions
     

    • Add 1½ Tbsp. paprika, ½ tsp. black pepper, 1 Tbsp. garlic powder, 1 Tbsp. chicken flavor bouillon, ½Tbsp. sugar, and ½ Tbsp. dry mustard to a small bowl.
      1½ Tablespoons paprika, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 Tablespoon garlic powder, 1 Tablespoon chicken flavor bouillon, ½ Tablespoon sugar, ½ Tablespoon dry mustard
      Seasonings for turkey rub labeled in glass bowls
    • Whisk turkey rub seasoning together until blended. Enjoy!
      Mixed turkey rub seasoning in a glass bowl

    Video

    Notes

    • For best results, brush your turkey with butter after seasoning. Trust us, this will give you the crispiest skin for any turkey!
    • Pat seasoning over and under the skin of the bird for the best flavor.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 223kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 10gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 3554mgPotassium: 782mgFiber: 11gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 10920IUCalcium: 121mgIron: 6mg
    Keyword turkey cook time, turkey cooking time, turkey temperature, turkey temperature chart
    Did you try this recipe?Tag #SundaySupper on social and leave a comment below!
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    Isabel, AKA Family Foodie

    About Isabel Laessig

    Hi! I’m Isabel Laessig, also known as Family Foodie, creator of Sunday Supper Movement and author of the Boujee Steak Cookbook. Sunday Supper is my mission to bring family back around the dinner table. Join me in making family meal-time a tradition to celebrate!

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    Isabel, AKA Family Foodie

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