How big of a turkey do I need to feed 10 adults?

When choosing a turkey to serve on Thanksgiving, figure 1 1/2 pounds per person. If you are serving 10 people on Thanksgiving, choose a bird that is 15 to 20 pounds. Smaller birds that weigh less than 12 pounds have a smaller meat-to-bone ratio, so figure two pounds per person.

What size turkey do I need to feed 12 adults?

What Size Turkey Should you Buy?
PeopleTurkey Size
1010-15 lbs
1212-18 lbs
1414-21 lbs
1616-24 lbs

How long does a 20 lb turkey take to cook?

4 1/4 to 5 hours
Cooking time will vary. For example, a 20 pound turkey will take 4 1/4 to 5 hours to cook, check the temperature on the thermometer after 4 1/4 hours.

How big of a turkey do I need for 9 guests?

If you’re feeding up to 9 people, then you want to allow about 1lb or about . 4kgs of turkey per person. If you’re hosting 10 or more guests then you want to allow about . 8 of a lb, or about .

How big is a 20 lb turkey?

The average weight for a 20 pound turkey is 10 pounds. The dimensions of this size turkey are about 17.5 inches long. 12 inches wide, and 5 inches high.

Is it better to cook a turkey at 325 or 350?

Roast the turkey uncovered at a temperature ranging from 325°F to 350°F. Higher temperatures may cause the meat to dry out, but this is preferable to temperatures that are too low which may not allow the interior of the turkey to cook to a safe temperature.

How long do you cook a 20 lb turkey at 350?

The simplest way to figure out turkey roasting times is to calculate 13 minutes per pound at 350°F for an unstuffed turkey (that’s about 3 hours for a 12- to 14-lb.

If your turkey weighs 18 to 20 pounds, roast it at:
  1. 425°F for 3½ to 3¾ hours.
  2. 400°F for 3¾ to 4 hours.
  3. 350°F for 4 to 4¼ hours.
  4. 325°F for 4¼ to 4½ hours.

How long do you cook a 20 lb Butterball turkey?

For an unstuffed bird, Butterball recommended the following cooking times:
  1. 6-7 pounds: 2-2½ hours.
  2. 7-10 pounds: 2½-3 hours.
  3. 10-18 pounds: 3-3½ hours.
  4. 18-22 pounds: 3½-4 hours.
  5. 22-24 pounds: 4-4½ hours.
  6. 24-30 pounds: 4½-5 hours.

Do you cook a turkey covered or uncovered?

To achieve that balance, the ideal is to let the bird spend time both covered and uncovered: We recommend covering your bird for most of the cooking time to prevent it from drying out, then removing the cover for the last 30 minutes or so to allow the skin to crisp.

How often should you baste your turkey?

How often to baste a turkey. Most recipes will tell you to baste your turkey every thirty minutes. But our rule of thumb is actually every forty minutes, and here’s why. You don’t want to open the oven too many times, or else the whole bird will take much long to cook, and that’s a huge inconvenience.

Should I cover my turkey with foil while cooking?

Butterball suggests that after the turkey has been cooking for 2/3 of the amount of time needed (depending on the size of the bird), that you cover the breasts with a small tent made of aluminum foil. This will slow down the cooking process of the turkey breasts.

Do you put water in the bottom of the roasting pan for turkey?

Add water to the roasting pan to keep the turkey from drying out. Grandma always added water or chicken broth to the bottom of the roasting pan, at the start of the cooking. This keeps the bird from drying out.

Do turkeys cook faster in oven bag?

Since a bag cooks turkey faster, there’s a chance the stuffing won’t have enough time to heat up to a safe temperature. You can opt for making dressing (stuffing baked in a casserole dish) instead, or be sure to take the temperature of the stuffing before serving.

Should you baste a turkey?

Basting is optional when roasting a turkey. To ensure a moist turkey, the key is to not overcook it. Try using a remote digital thermometer that will alert you when the turkey is fully cooked yet still juicy. If you choose to baste the bird, do so every 30 minutes.

Should you wash turkey?

Should You Rinse a Turkey? In short, no. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), rinsing a raw turkey in the kitchen sink can lead to the spread of bacteria on countertops, nearby food, and other surfaces, which can cause cross-contamination.

Should I put broth in bottom of turkey pan?

Place turkey in the oven, and pour 2 cups turkey stock into the bottom of the roasting pan. Baste all over every 30 minutes with the juices on the bottom of the pan. Whenever the drippings evaporate, add stock to moisten them, about 1 to 2 cups at a time.

What do you put in the bottom of a turkey pan?

Place chopped onions, celery, and carrots in the bottom of the roasting pan. Pick a few herbs off the stalks and add to the vegetables. Set aside. Pat dry the turkey with paper towels.

Is a 2 year old frozen turkey still good?

Turkeys can be kept in the freezer indefinitely. However, cook turkeys within 1 year for the best quality.

Should turkey be at room temp before cooking?

Before it goes in the oven, the turkey should be at room temperature, so take it out of the fridge (1 hr for a whole turkey, or 30 mins for a cut) before cooking. Keep it covered in a cool place.

What is brining a turkey?

Brining means making a salt water solution and submerging the turkey for about 24 hours before roasting. This spa treatment helps the turkey retain more moisture during roasting and prevents it from drying out. A brine also gives me a chance to season the turkey with herbs and spices, especially the skin!

Can you refreeze a turkey?

Cooked or uncooked turkey can safely be refrozen, as long as you refreeze it within three days of thawing. You should only refreeze turkey if it’s been handled properly at every step along the way.

Can I keep a fresh turkey in the fridge for a week?

Fresh turkey should keep in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days. If you wait any longer, the meat might begin to show signs of spoilage. Store the bird in the coldest section of the fridge, and freeze it if you aren’t going to be able to cook it off within 48 hours.