In this brief guide, we will answer the question, “how long to cook a 20-pound turkey at 350?” and discuss what are the tips to follow when cooking a turkey, and how to check the internal temperature of a turkey?
How long to cook a 20-pound turkey at 350?
The average 20-pound turkey should be cooked for 4 to 4.5 hours at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
To cook a 20-pound turkey at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, you will need to use a thermometer. You can check the internal temperature of the turkey by inserting the thermometer into the meat, and then setting it on your countertop.
The best way to determine when your turkey is done is to monitor its internal temperature as it cooks. If you can insert a knife into the thickest part of the meat without resistance, then it’s time to remove it from the oven.
If your turkey is not yet cooked through when you take it out of the oven, leave it in for another 15 minutes before taking out any stuffing or other items inside of it. When you remove the turkey from the oven after cooking, let it sit for about 10 minutes before carving!
To ensure a safe cooking time, follow these steps:
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place the turkey in a roasting pan and cook for 4 to 4.5 minutes.
- After the first 10 minutes, check for doneness by inserting an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh muscle. The juices should run clear when done.
What are the tips to follow when cooking a turkey?
When cooking a turkey, there are a few things that you should keep in mind.
- Use a thermometer to ensure that the temperature of your turkey is safe for consumption.
- Season the turkey before it goes into the oven so that it will brown evenly and not burn around the edges.
- Make sure that you use enough butter or oil to prevent sticking during cooking and make sure it is at room temperature before applying it to the turkey.
- Always use a roasting pan that has a rack to make sure the turkey is cooked evenly.
- If you are using a bone-in turkey, make sure that you cut off any excess fat around the cavity and neck area.
- Stuffing the turkey is a great way to add flavor and keep the turkey moist as it cooks, but try not to overstuff it so that it doesn’t fall apart when you carve it.
- time for the turkey to rest before carving; this will help ensure that the juices in its cavity run clear, which ensures that your gravy has no browned bits of meat or fat floating on top of it.
How to roast a turkey?
Roasting a turkey is a very popular holiday tradition, but it can be intimidating. Here are some tips on how to roast a turkey:
- Select a well-seasoned turkey. The meat of the bird should be well-marbled so that it will cook evenly.
- Cook your turkey at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 4 to 4.5 hours.
- Use a thermometer to check the internal temperature of the turkey as it cooks.
- After cooking, remove from the pan and allow to rest for 10 minutes before carving and serving!
How do I keep the turkey moist?
When it comes to keeping the turkey moist, there are a few different methods you can use.
The first would be to brine your turkey, which involves soaking the turkey in a saltwater solution. This method is great if you want to keep your turkey crisp on the outside and juicy inside, but it’s important that you don’t leave it in too long, or else the brining process might damage your turkey.
The second option is roasting your turkey in a pan with an apple cider mixture on top. This can help keep the meat moist by absorbing excess moisture from within the bird itself and creating steam inside of it through evaporation.
However, this method isn’t always safe because there’s always a chance that something could go wrong while roasting, for example, if you leave out too much liquid while cooking or burn yourself on a hot pan.
Finally, another way to keep your turkey moist is by baking it in an oven with foil surrounding it so that no air can enter its cavity when cooked at high temperatures for an extended period of time.
How to check the internal temperature of a turkey?
You can check the temperature of a turkey by using an instant-read thermometer.
Before you cook turkey, it’s important to check that your turkey is at the proper temperature. You can do this by inserting an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh and thigh bone. The internal temperature should be 165 degrees F or higher.
Is butter or oil better for turkey?
Butter and oil are both great for cooking turkey, but you’ll notice that oil is better at making your turkey crispier. If you’re looking to make sure your turkey is cooked through, use oil!
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we have addressed the question, “how long to cook a 20-pound turkey at 350?” and discussed other questions related to the subject, such as what are the tips to follow when cooking a turkey, and how to check the internal temperature of a turkey?
Citations
https://www.countryliving.com/food-drinks/a28679138/20-lb-turkey-cook-time/
https://www.allrecipes.com/article/turkey-cooking-time-guide/
