How to cook an 18 pound turkey

Last Updated: November 24, 2021 | Author: Angela Robins

How long does it take to cook an 18 pound turkey?

about four and a half hours
A disclaimer: turkeys vary, and so do home ovens. But generally, you will want to cook an unstuffed turkey for about 15 minutes per pound, at 325 degrees. For an 18-pounder, about four and a half hours would do the trick.

Is it better to cook a turkey at 325 or 350?

Roast the turkey uncovered at a temperature ranging from 325°F to 350°F. Higher temperatures may cause the meat to dry out, but this is preferable to temperatures that are too low which may not allow the interior of the turkey to cook to a safe temperature.

How do you know when a 18 pound turkey is done?

The only true test for doneness is the temperature of the meat, not the color of the skin. Turkey is done when the thigh meat reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F (75 degrees C). To get an accurate reading, be sure that your thermometer is not touching the bone.

Should you wash your turkey?

First of all, you should not wash or rinse your bird. That may seem counterintuitive, but washing the turkey can spread germs and bacteria all over your kitchen.

Do you put water in the bottom of the roasting pan for turkey?

Add water to the roasting pan to keep the turkey from drying out. Grandma always added water to the bottom of the roasting pan, at the start of the cooking. This keeps the bird from drying out.

Should you cook turkey straight from the fridge?

Before it goes in the oven, the turkey should be at room temperature, so take it out of the fridge (1 hr for a whole turkey, or 30 mins for a cut) before cooking. Keep it covered in a cool place.

How do I keep my turkey moist?

Classic Bread Stuffing Recipe
  1. Choose a fresh turkey instead of a frozen one. …
  2. Roast two small turkeys rather than one large one. …
  3. Brine the turkey. …
  4. Rub soft butter under the skin. …
  5. Truss loosely, or not at all. …
  6. Roast the turkey upside down at first. …
  7. Don’t overcook it. …
  8. Let the turkey rest before carving.

What do you put in the bottom of a turkey pan?

Place chopped onions, celery, and carrots in the bottom of the roasting pan. Pick a few herbs off the stalks and add to the vegetables. Set aside. Pat dry the turkey with paper towels.

Which Way Should turkey face in oven?

Arrange them skin side up in a single layer on a heat-proof rack set inside a sheet pan (use two racks/sheet pans if the size of your turkey pieces needs it). Roast at 425°F for 60 to 90 minutes or until the thickest part of the breast reaches 160°F. Let the pieces rest for at least 10 minutes before carving.

Should I put butter under the skin of my turkey?

Impart rich flavor and add moisture to your Thanksgiving turkey by adding a layer of butter under the skin before roasting. … Otherwise, once the turkey is roasting, all that moisture is going to escape.

Should I put my turkey on a rack?

You don’t need a specially designed rack for your roasting pan, but you need something to lift the bird above the bottom of the pan. … If the skin of your turkey turns out flabby, which can happen when roasting at 325 degrees or less, the situation can be saved: make turkey cracklings while the bird rests.

How often should you baste a turkey?

Most recipes will tell you to baste your turkey every thirty minutes. But our rule of thumb is actually every forty minutes, and here’s why. You don’t want to open the oven too many times, or else the whole bird will take much long to cook, and that’s a huge inconvenience.

Can you cook turkey in aluminum pan?

Place a wire rack in the bottom of the broiler pan to keep the turkey out of the drippings. Lightweight, disposable aluminum roasting pans should not be used for cooking turkey; those pans are simply not heavy enough to support the weight of the bird.

Can you cook on the bottom of an oven?

“The oven floor provides the hottest, most even and direct heat possible,” explains Carolynn, “which means you can get your vegetables nice and caramelized without overcooking them.”

What temperature do you cook turkey at?

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 18 to 20 pounds, roast it at:
  1. 425°F for 3½ to 3¾ hours.
  2. 400°F for 3¾ to 4 hours.
  3. 350°F for 4 to 4¼ hours.
  4. 325°F for 4¼ to 4½ hours.

What rack should you cook turkey on?

The preferred method is to roast the turkey in the center of the lowest rack or oven shelf so the top of the turkey will be centered in the oven. If two racks must be used, place the turkey on the lowest or middle rack.

When should I tent my turkey?

When to Tent a Turkey

You can choose to tent a turkey during the beginning of the roasting period and remove the tent for the last 30 to 45 minutes for browning, or you can wait until the turkey reaches a golden brown color before adding a tent of foil.

How long do you cook turkey uncovered?

Roast the turkey uncovered in a 325°F oven for 2 hours. (Note: Roasting the turkey uncovered at the start of the bake time will increase the browning, so keep an eye on it.)
…
How to Roast a Turkey.
Whole Turkey (not stuffed) Oven Temp. 325ºF
20-24 lbs 4.5-5 hrs 165ºF
•
Sep 12, 2019

How long do I cook a 19 lb turkey?

In an oven set to 325 degrees Fahrenheit, cooking an 18- to 20-pound unstuffed thawed or fresh turkey will take between 4 1/4 and 4 1/2 hours, according to the USDA. This amounts to about 14 minutes of cooking time per pound. For a 19-pound turkey, this comes to about four hours and 26 minutes.

Where do you place the turkey in a roasting pan?

Set the turkey breast-side up on the roasting rack set in a roasting pan and let it sit while the oven preheats. This takes the chill off the meat, which helps the meat cook faster and more evenly. It also gives the skin time to dry out, which promotes browning and crisping.

Is it better to bake on the top or bottom rack?

For rich, even browning, stick with the top rack. Once the oven is preheated, the heating element on the bottom of the oven turns off and on throughout baking to maintain an even temperature.

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