how long to cook a turkey?

Question

I have a 13lb turkey what is the best temp an length of time to cook it so its not to dry do i need to add water and constantly baste it? Im in charge of dinner for like 10 people this is my first Christmas Dinner please give me a hand
thanks alot
Merry Christmas

Answer 1

The rule of thumb is 15 minutes per pound so a 13 pound turkey will take about 3 to 3 and 1/4 hours at 325 degrees.

Here is an excellent link that will give you lots of information about cooking a turkey. Best of luck with it.

Answer 2

You should bake it 15 minutes for each pound at 325° AND you want to cook a turkey as fast as you can to minimize juice loss so you should NOT stuff the bird...this slows the cooking time. Your turkey's done when an instant-read thermometer (not a pop-up) inserted near the thigh reads 165 degrees F.

There are so many tips out there for baking a turkey. Just do what you feel comfortable with! Happy Holidays!!!

Answer 3

How long to cook a 24 lb turkey

Answer 4

How long to cook a turkey really depends on, first how big is the bird, second if you are stuffing it, and third on how you are planning to cook it. Stuffing adds some extra time for it to cook. With that said you can be looking at anywhere from 2 1/2 to 5 hours depending on whether you are roasting, grilling, smoking, deep frying, or microwaving!

One of the quickest ways these days is to use infrared fryers/cookers, which drastically cuts down on the cooking time, and most people say they like the way the turkey retains it's juiciness and how it's nicely done on the outside.

There a few good sites out there with lots of info, cooking time tables and details. One very good source I know of is the one bellow. Good luck!

Answer 5

Go to the grocery store and buy an oven bag for your turkey....Ziplock or Gladlock makes them and you find them in the isle with the aluminum foil and stuff.

Oven bags will greatly reduce the time it takes to cook the turkey and it will stay nice and moist. For a 13lb bird you'll probably need 2 1/2 hours. I usually put a few pats of butter on the top of the turkey before closing the bag up to add a little extra color to the turkey.

Answer 6

deep fry it at 350 degrees at 5 minutes per pound.
it will seal it all the juices and be the best bird that you ever had















A Deep Fried Delicacy: The How-To on Deep Frying Turkey


Deep-fried turkey, a concept that started in the south, is gradually rising in popularity nationwide. It's a perfect twist for barbecues, block parties and holiday feasts. In fact, since deep frying turkey requires special equipment and lots of oil, families and groups of neighbors often get together to share the costs and the feast. To get you started, we have several deep-fried turkey recipes for you. For a deep frying turkey experience that is fun and produces delicious results follow these guidelines:

Equipment
You'll need a 40 quart or 60 quart heavy pot with lid and basket, burner and propane gas tank, a candy thermometer to measure oil temperature and a food thermometer to determine doneness of the turkey. For added safety, have a fire extinguisher, oven mitts and pot holders nearby. To add flavor with different marinades and seasonings, you may want to purchase an injector.

Location
Place the fryer on level dirt or a grassy area. Never fry a turkey indoors, in a garage or in any other structure attached to a building. Avoid frying on wood decks, which could catch fire, and concrete, which can be stained by the oil.

The Turkey - Size Matters
Smaller turkeys, 8 pounds to 10 pounds and turkey parts, such as breast, wings, drumsticks and thighs, are best for frying. Size does matter as a 12 pound to 14 pound turkey is the maximum size bird that can be successfully deep fried. In addition to the obvious safety concern of lowering and lifting a big turkey into a vessel of boiling oil, larger birds simply cook longer. The extra cooking time results in over exposure to the skin, which will likely be over cooked.

If a larger bird (over 15-pounds) has been purchased, follow these steps for the best results. Detach the dark meat (leg and thigh portions) from the breast and fry the two turkey parts separately. Fry the leg/thigh sections first in oil that has been preheated to 365 degrees F-375 degrees F. Cook to an internal temperature of 180 degrees F. Remove the dark sections and reheat the oil to 365 degrees F-375 degrees F. Then fry the turkey breast to an internal temperature of 170 degrees F.

Other Ingredients
You'll need approximately 5 gallons of a high-smoke point oil; more for larger turkeys. The turkey may be injected with a marinade, coated with breading or seasoned with a rub. Check our list of recipes:

Answer 7

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
how long to cook a turkey?
I have a 13lb turkey what is the best temp an length of time to cook it so its not to dry do i need to add water and constantly baste it? Im in charge of dinner for like 10 people this is my first Christmas Dinner please give me a hand
thanks alot
Merry Christmas

Answer 8

Have the turkey at room temperature. Place on a rack in a roasting pan and pour 2 cups of water into the pan. Roast, covered, in a preheated 350 F oven for 12 minutes per pound, or until the thigh meat registers 170F. Uncover for the last 40 minutes of roasting. :-)

Good Luck!
Merry Christmas!

Answer 9

This is how I do my turkey..it sounds weird but it works. Rub oil all over the turkey and cover the breast with bacon rashers. Just lay them over crossways. Encase the turkey in tinfoil and bake for 2 1/2 hrs at 350F. Then take off the tinfoil and let it brown in the oven for about an hour turning it over halfway through. The bacon bastes the turkey and gives it a lovely taste and the foil keeps it moist. You can take the bacon off easily afterwards and crumble it to use in another dish...but mine is always eaten before I can do that...lol

Answer 10

! hour per. 3lbs. 13 lbs = about 3 to 31/2 hrs.
most turkeys will have a pop up thermometers already in it. so the two of these should make it turn out great.