How Long to Cook a Turkey (Oven Times by Weight, Stuffed and Unstuffed)
At 325 degrees F, a 12 to 14 lb turkey takes about 3 to 3 3/4 hours. Here are the oven times by weight for stuffed and unstuffed birds, the 165 degree rule and a backwards dinner schedule.
Ask ten people how long a turkey takes and you will get ten answers, usually based on whatever worked last year. The honest answer depends on the weight of the bird, whether it is stuffed, and your oven temperature. This guide gives you the oven times by weight, the one number that actually tells you it is done, and a backwards schedule so dinner lands on time.
The times below follow the guidance published by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) for a turkey roasted in an oven set to 325°F (165°C). Ovens differ, so treat every time as a guide and the thermometer as the final word.
Thanksgiving 2026 is on Thursday, 26 November, and the live holiday countdowns shows how long you have left.
Roasting time by weight (oven at 325°F)
These times are for a fully thawed turkey. If yours is still frozen or partly frozen, read the thawing section below first.
Unstuffed turkey
| Turkey weight | Roasting time | | --- | --- | | 8 to 12 lb (3.5 to 5.5 kg) | 2¾ to 3 hours | | 12 to 14 lb (5.5 to 6.5 kg) | 3 to 3¾ hours | | 14 to 18 lb (6.5 to 8 kg) | 3¾ to 4¼ hours | | 18 to 20 lb (8 to 9 kg) | 4¼ to 4½ hours | | 20 to 24 lb (9 to 11 kg) | 4½ to 5 hours |
Stuffed turkey
| Turkey weight | Roasting time | | --- | --- | | 8 to 12 lb (3.5 to 5.5 kg) | 3 to 3½ hours | | 12 to 14 lb (5.5 to 6.5 kg) | 3½ to 4 hours | | 14 to 18 lb (6.5 to 8 kg) | 4 to 4¼ hours | | 18 to 20 lb (8 to 9 kg) | 4¼ to 4¾ hours | | 20 to 24 lb (9 to 11 kg) | 4¾ to 5¼ hours |
Stuffing makes the bird take longer, and it brings a safety issue with it: the stuffing in the middle must also reach 165°F (74°C). Many cooks bake the stuffing separately for exactly this reason, because it is easier to get right and the turkey cooks more evenly.
The number that matters: 165°F
A turkey is safe and done when a meat thermometer reads 165°F (74°C) in three places:
- the thickest part of the breast,
- the innermost part of the thigh,
- the innermost part of the wing.
Do not rely on the pop-up timer or on the colour of the juices. Check more than one spot, because the breast and the thigh cook at different speeds. If the breast hits 165°F while the thigh is still behind, keep going until the thigh gets there, and shield the breast with foil if it is browning too fast.
Cooking a turkey from frozen
It is safe to roast a turkey that is still frozen, and it takes roughly 50 percent longer than the times above. A 14 lb frozen bird that would take about 3¾ hours thawed will need around 5½ hours. You cannot stuff it, and you should remove the giblets and neck as soon as they loosen up.
That said, a properly thawed bird cooks more evenly. If you have time, see our guide on how long to thaw a turkey by weight.
Do not skip the rest
Once the turkey is out of the oven, let it rest for 20 to 30 minutes before carving. The juices settle back through the meat instead of running onto the board. A rested turkey is also easier to carve and stays hot for longer than you would expect, which gives you time to finish the gravy and sides. The same principle applies to any roast, and we cover the timing in our guide on how long to rest meat after cooking.
A backwards schedule for Thanksgiving dinner
Decide when you want to eat, then count back. For a 16 lb unstuffed turkey, planning on dinner at 5:00 pm:
- 12:45 pm: turkey goes into a 325°F oven (4 hours, with a few minutes of margin).
- 4:15 pm: start checking the temperature in the breast, thigh and wing.
- 4:30 pm: turkey comes out and rests for 30 minutes. Raise the oven temperature for the sides.
- 5:00 pm: carve and serve.
The add or subtract time tool will do the backwards sum for you, and a countdown timer set for the temperature check keeps it from slipping past you while you are busy with everything else.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to cook a 15 lb turkey? Unstuffed at 325°F, about 3¾ to 4¼ hours. Stuffed, about 4 to 4¼ hours. Always confirm with a thermometer.
What temperature should a turkey be cooked to? 165°F (74°C), measured in the thickest part of the breast, the innermost part of the thigh and the innermost part of the wing.
Should I cook a turkey covered or uncovered? Both work. Many cooks roast uncovered for browning and tent the breast loosely with foil if it darkens before the thigh is done.
How long should a turkey rest before carving? 20 to 30 minutes. Cover it loosely and it will stay hot.
How many days until Thanksgiving? The live holiday countdowns shows the exact days, hours and sleeps left.
Start the clock earlier than feels necessary, trust the thermometer over the timer, and leave time to rest. That is nearly all of it.