FOOD NEWS
How Long It Takes To Cook A Thawed, 20-Pound Turkey To Perfection
BY EMMA SEGREST
A thawed, 20-pound turkey needs to be in the oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for between four hours and 15 minutes and four hours and 30 minutes to be fully and safely cooked.
Be sure to factor in things such as if you continuously open the oven to baste your bird, or if your oven typically takes longer to cook, as these could make the time even longer.
As a general rule of thumb for any size turkey, the internal temperature of the breast meat should reach a minimum temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the USDA.
If you cook your turkey with stuffing inside, it will have to cook for 20 to 25 minutes per pound instead of the usual 15 to 20 minutes, which can quickly add up.
A stuffed turkey can take anywhere in the range of 4 hours and 15 minutes to 5 hours. The stuffing also needs to reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the USDA.