Turkey Cooking Times      

              including Gas Mark & Electric Temperature Equivilents

It might be helpful if I gave you an account of the exact timings of a recent turkey of mine.

 The turkey (14 lb/6.5 kg oven-ready weight) went into the oven, pre-heated to gas mark 7, 425°F (220°C), at 8.15am. The heat was lowered to gas mark 3, 325°F (170°C) at 8.55am. The foil came off and the heat was turned up to gas mark 6, 400°F (200°C) at 12.30pm. Then, with lots of basting, it was cooked by 1.15pm and served by 2pm.

Pre-heat the oven to gas mark 7, 425°F (220°C).

For an 8-10 lb (3.5-4.5 kg) turkey:
Cook for 30 minutes then reduce the temperature to gas mark 3, 325°F (170°C) and cook for a further 21/2-3 hours. Then give it a final 30 minutes (uncovered) at gas mark 6, 400°F (200°C).

For a 12-14 lb (5.5-6.5 kg) turkey:
Cook for 40 minutes then reduce the temperature to gas mark 3, 325°F (170°C) and cook for a further 3-31/2 hours. Then give it a final 30 minutes (uncovered) at gas mark 6, 400°F (200°C).

For a 15-20 lb (6.75-9 kg) turkey:
Cook for 45 minutes then reduce the temperature to gas mark 3, 325°F (170°C) and cook for a further 4-5 hours. Then give it a final 30 minutes (uncovered) at gas mark 6, 400°F (200°C).

To tell if the turkey is cooked, pierce the thickest part of the leg with a skewer then press the skewer against the leg to see if the juices run clear without any trace of pink – if the juices are clear, the turkey is cooked.

  NTF Roasting Guidelines for a Fresh or Thawed Turkey
Roast in a 325 degrees F  ( Gas Mark 3) Conventional Oven on the Lowest Oven Rack
Weight Unstuffed Turkey Stuffed Turkey  
8 to 12 pounds 2 3/4 to 3 hours 3 to 3 1/2 hours  
12 to 14 pounds 3 to 3 3/4 hours 3 1/2 to 4 hours  
14 to 18 pounds 3 3/4 to 4 1/4 hours 4 to 4 1/4 hours  
18 to 20 pounds 4 1/4 to 4 1/2 hours 4 1/4 to 4 3/4 hours  
20 to 24 pounds 4 1/2 to 5 hours 4 3/4 to 5 1/4 hours  
24 to 30 pounds 5 to 5 1/4 hours 5 1/4 to 6 1/4 hours  

Gas Mark & Electric Cooking Temperature Equivalents

Degrees Fahrenheit Degrees Celsius Gas Mark Description
225

110

1/4 Very slow
250 120/130 1/2 Very slow
275 140 1 Slow
300 150 2 Slow
325 160/170 3 Moderate
350 180 4 Moderate
375 190 5 Moderately hot
400 200 6 Moderately hot
425 220 7 Hot
450 230 8 Hot
475 240 9 Very hot

 

 

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