Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, or just a good old Sunday feast, there’s nothing quite like a perfectly roasted turkey. That’s where knowing when to take the turkey out of the oven comes in, and the key is to measure the internal temperature of turkey, rather than relying solely on how it looks. This is the best and safest way to tell if a turkey is done just right. After all, a turkey with tender, juicy meat and crispy skin is sure to impress your guests all the time.
To learn more, check out our tips on what temperature turkey should be cooked to, the ideal turkey internal temperature, how and where to measure it, and everything else you might want to know.
What Temperature Should Turkey Be Cooked to?
Here’s the deal. The USDA, our food safety friends, sets the safe temperature for turkey at 165°F (74°C). At this temperature, any harmful bacteria are officially toasted.
But this is also why most roasted turkey turns out dry and tough. For the reason that after the turkey is removed from the oven, the residual heat continues to cook it during the resting period, and the internal temperature will keep rising by an additional 5 to 10 degrees.
Therefore, for the most tender and juiciest turkey, pull it from the oven when its internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). Then, let it rest for at least 20-30 minutes. As it sits, it will coast to 165°F (75°C) without overcooking.
Keep in mind, though, that this temperature differs for sous vide turkey, which requires a much longer cooking time. For more details, see: Sous Vide Whole Turkey Temperature and Time
How to Check Turkey Temperature?
To tell if your turkey is fully cooked, the only way is checking the internal temperature, much like how you would use a thermometer to check your body temperature, which means you also need a dedicated thermometer - a cooking thermometer. But if you’re still using an old-fashioned dial thermometer, which is usually slow and unreliable, it might be the time to upgrade to a more accurate one. Even if you only pull it out once a year, it’s definitely worth the investment.
- Instant-Read Thermometer: Simply remove the turkey from the oven, insert the probe, and wait a few seconds for the reading to stabilize. It’s fast, accurate, and inexpensive.
- Wireless cooking thermometer: This kind requires you to insert the probe into the turkey before cooking so that you can monitor the internal temperature through its external display sits outside the oven or the app on your phone, which means you won’t have to keep opening the oven door. Furthermore, if you have a multi-probe model, you can even monitor the temperature of different parts of the turkey at the same time.
Where to Measure Turkey Internal Temp?
You might have noticed that turkey is a collection of white meat and dark meat, specifically the breast as well as the thighs and legs. The breast is leaner and cooks more quickly, while the thighs and legs contain more fat and connective tissue, so they take longer to be done.
This means you need to insert your thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, avoiding the bone, and if it reaches 160°F (71°C) we talked about, the rest of turkey should be cooked.
If you also want to measure the internal temperature of turkey breast, find the thickest part as well. Again, avoid the bone.
How to Tell If a Turkey Is Done Without a Thermometer?
Look, if you're in a pinch and really don't have a thermometer, there are a few visual cues, but I wouldn't stake my holiday dinner on them.
- Juices run clear: When you pierce the thigh with a fork or knife, the juices that come out should be clear, not pink or bloody.
- Wiggle the leg: The leg should feel loose in its joint.
- Color: The meat should be opaque, not pink.
- Pop-up timers: Most supermarket turkeys come with pop-up timers. Just insert them into the turkey before cooking, and they will pop up when it’s done.
Again, these methods are NOT as accurate as a thermometer and can risk undercooked, unsafe turkey. No one wants a salmonella surprise. So, stick to your turkey cooking thermometer method and you will have a tender, juicy turkey all the time!
What Temperature to Cook a Turkey?
Now that you know when it’s done, how hot should your oven be? The foolproof, never-fail temperature is always a low and steady 325°F (163°C). In the final 20 to 30 minutes of roasting, take the turkey out, baste it, increase the temperature to 450°F (232°C), and return it back to the oven to achieve that desirable golden-brown, crispy skin. For detailed steps, check out: How to Roast a Turkey in the Oven?
How Long to Cook a Turkey?
Cooking time can be quite unpredictable since it depends on various factors like the turkey size, the cooking method, whether it’s stuffed, and even if it’s spatchcocked. A general guideline is to allocate about 20 minutes of cooking time per pound of turkey. For instance, a 12- to 14-pound turkey would need to be roasted in the oven for 3 to 4 hours. However, this is just a rough rule of thumb. What truly matters is always the internal temperature of turkey.
