Now with Thanksgiving and the holidays, it really has become the time of the year where turkey is popular for the dinner table with family! Since turkey is one of the most popular dishes to feature during Thanksgiving and the holiday season, it is only natural that people are curious as to how to ensure that their turkey remains in the spotlight of the dinner table. It certainly is no easy feat to cook a turkey, but the results are incredibly rewarding. Check out all the super important little facts to know about how to cook your best turkey!

Cooking the Turkey: Preparation

First thing to note, prior to cooking your turkey is to be aware that stuffing your turkey with stuffing prior to cooking greatly increases the cooking process. It can also cause uneven cooking depending on how much stuffing you put in it. If you are someone who wants great stuffing to accompany your turkey, then cook the stuffing in a separate pan and then pour the stuffing into the cavity after the cooking process.

Additionally, make sure that you invest in a really good pan! The best pan for cooking a turkey to perfection is a heavy-duty roasting pan that has about 2-inch sides. The high sides will make browning and basting difficult, so lower sides are better. Heavy-gauge metal helps to ensure that the drippings that come from the bird do not burn in the pan. Stainless steel finish will be the best since dark-colored pans can further increase the chances of burning.

Turkey’s Cooking Process

Now that you have prepared what you need to cook the turkey well, it is now time to turn our attention to the actual cooking process of the turkey! The part where all the preparation now comes into play. Some people will tell you that they enjoy blasting the heat on that turkey at about (425 degrees Fahrenheit) for 30 minutes and then lower the temperature later on. The best way to really do the process right is through cooking the turkey on a lower heat and allowing the process to be slow and steady. Heat your oven to a temperature of 325 degrees Fahrenheit and then allow it to cook slowly. Do not set it lower than that temperature. Proceed to place your turkey in a shallow roasting pan and set the pan on the oven rack. Now the timetables for a turkey to roast to perfection will be different depending on the size of your turkey so keep that in mind!

• 8 -12 pounds requires 1 ½ to 3 ¼ hours
• 12-14 pounds requires 3 to 3 ¾ hours
• 14-18 pounds requires 3 ¾ to 4 ¼ hours
• 18-20 pounds requires 4 ¼ to 4 ½ hours
• 20-24 pounds requires 4 ½ to 5 hours

Based on the size of your turkey, follow the above list to check out how long it will take to cook your turkey! You will know that your turkey is ready when you stick a thermometer within the innermost part of the thigh and wing and the thickest part of the breast. Make sure that the internal temperature is 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Once it reaches that internal temperature, then the turkey is safe and ready for consumption. Enjoy!