Turkey Cooking Time Calculator
Enter your guests or the turkey weight to get the size to buy, the thawing time, the date to move it to the fridge and the USDA roasting time at 325 °F.
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USDA: 1 lb of whole turkey per person.
Stuffing inside the bird adds time.
Defaults to the next Thanksgiving.
- Turkey to buy
- 12 lb
- Thaw in the fridge
- 2.4–3 days
- Thaw in cold water
- 6 h
- Move to the fridge by
- Monday, November 23, 2026
How this was calculated
- 12 guests × 1 lb = 12 lb of whole turkey.
- Refrigerator thawing takes about 24 hours per 4–5 lb: 12 ÷ 5 to 12 ÷ 4 = 2.4–3 days.
- Cold-water thawing takes about 30 minutes per lb: 12 × 0.5 = 6 h. Change the water every 30 minutes and cook right away.
- USDA roasting table at 325 °F for this weight: 2 h 45 min to 3 h.
- Dinner on Thursday, November 26, 2026 minus 3 days of thawing: move the frozen turkey to the fridge by Monday, November 23, 2026.
- Check 165 °F in the innermost part of the thigh and wing and the thickest part of the breast.
How long to cook a turkey: USDA times at 325 °F
These are the roasting times from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a fully thawed turkey in an oven set to 325 °F. The weights from 4 to 8 pounds are turkey breasts. Ovens vary, so start checking with a food thermometer about 30 minutes before the shortest time.
| Weight | Unstuffed | Stuffed |
|---|---|---|
| 4 to 6 lb (breast) | 1½ to 3¼ hours | not recommended |
| 6 to 8 lb (breast) | 1½ to 3¼ hours | 2½ to 3½ hours |
| 8 to 12 lb | 2¾ to 3 hours | 3 to 3½ hours |
| 12 to 14 lb | 3 to 3¾ hours | 3½ to 4 hours |
| 14 to 18 lb | 3¾ to 4¼ hours | 4 to 4¼ hours |
| 18 to 20 lb | 4¼ to 4½ hours | 4¼ to 4¾ hours |
| 20 to 24 lb | 4½ to 5 hours | 4¾ to 5¼ hours |
The turkey is done at 165 °F, measured in the innermost part of the thigh and wing and the thickest part of the breast. A stuffed bird is only done when the center of the stuffing has reached 165 °F too. Let it rest about 20 minutes before carving so the juices settle.
How long to thaw a turkey
Never thaw a turkey on the counter: the outside warms into the danger zone while the inside is still frozen. USDA gives two safe methods:
| Weight | In the refrigerator | In cold water |
|---|---|---|
| 4 to 12 lb | 1 to 3 days | 2 to 6 hours |
| 12 to 16 lb | 3 to 4 days | 6 to 8 hours |
| 16 to 20 lb | 4 to 5 days | 8 to 10 hours |
| 20 to 24 lb | 5 to 6 days | 10 to 12 hours |
The refrigerator rule is about 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds at 40 °F or below; a thawed turkey keeps another one to two days in the fridge. Cold water takes about 30 minutes per pound: keep the turkey in its leak-proof wrapping, submerge it, change the water every 30 minutes and cook it as soon as it has thawed. Running late? USDA also says a turkey can go into the oven frozen; it just takes at least 50% longer to cook.
How big a turkey to buy
USDA advises 1 pound of whole turkey per person (1¼ pounds for a frozen pre-stuffed turkey). Bones and skin are a large share of a whole bird, so 1 pound per person gives each guest a generous plate of meat. For 12 guests that is a 12 lb turkey; if you want sandwiches the next day, plan about 1½ pounds per person, or 18 lb. For a big crowd, two smaller turkeys cook faster and more evenly than one very large one.
A Thanksgiving timeline
- Buy: a frozen turkey any time; a fresh one no more than one or two days before cooking.
- Thaw: move a frozen turkey to the fridge one day per 4 pounds before the big day. For Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 26, 2026, a 16 lb turkey goes in on Sunday, November 22. The countdown on days until Thanksgiving shows how much time you have left.
- Roast: put it in the oven so the longest time in the table ends about 30 minutes before you want to eat, which leaves room for resting and carving.
Source: USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, Let's Talk Turkey Roasting. Food safety information, not professional advice; follow the instructions on your turkey's label if they differ.
Frequently asked questions
How long do you cook a turkey per pound?
At 325 °F, USDA times work out to roughly 13 to 19 minutes per pound for an unstuffed 12 to 18 lb turkey, for example 3 to 3¾ hours for 12 to 14 lb and 3¾ to 4¼ hours for 14 to 18 lb. Larger birds cook faster per pound, so use the table rather than a fixed rate, and always finish with a thermometer at 165 °F.
How long does it take to thaw a turkey?
In the refrigerator, about 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds: a 20 lb turkey needs 4 to 5 days. In cold water, about 30 minutes per pound, so the same bird takes about 10 hours, with the water changed every 30 minutes.
How much turkey do I need per person?
USDA advises 1 pound of whole turkey per person, because bones and skin make up a large part of the weight. Plan 1½ pounds per person if you want leftovers.
What temperature should a turkey be when it is done?
165 °F, measured with a food thermometer in the innermost part of the thigh and wing and the thickest part of the breast. A stuffed turkey is only done when the center of the stuffing also reaches 165 °F.
Does a stuffed turkey take longer to cook?
Yes, by up to about half an hour. A stuffed 14 to 18 lb turkey takes 4 to 4¼ hours at 325 °F against 3¾ to 4¼ hours unstuffed. Cooking the stuffing in a separate dish is the easier and safer option.
When should I take the turkey out of the freezer for Thanksgiving?
Count back one day per 4 pounds from Thanksgiving. For Thanksgiving on November 26, 2026, a 20 lb turkey should go into the fridge by Saturday, November 21, and a 12 lb turkey by Monday, November 23.