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Having Thanksgiving dinner right on time is easy when you know how long to cook a turkey. Thanksgiving can be a multi-day cooking marathon. All the planning often centers around the main event—that giant, glistening turkey. Learn how to cook a turkey with help from our Test Kitchen.

How Long Does It Take to Cook a Turkey? You’re aiming for between 170º and 175º for a whole bird and 165º for a turkey breast. And, if the meat isn’t to temperature, make sure you wash the probe of the thermometer in hot, soapy water before testing the turkey again. In the market for a meat thermometer? Our Test Kitchen recommends the top-of-the-line Thermapen Mk4 thermometer for its accuracy and easy-to-read display.

What Size Turkey to Buy People hosting their first Thanksgiving often wonder how much turkey per person? You’ll need one pound of turkey per guest. When you can’t find the magical 12 pound turkey for 12 guests, just round up! If you’re serving a hungry bunch or you really want to eat leftover turkey for the rest of the week, you can round up to one and a quarter pounds of turkey per person. Then you can make our favorite leftover turkey recipes.

This temperature is low enough that you don’t need to worry about moisture evaporating quickly and drying out the turkey, but it’s also warm enough to cook the bird all the way through at a quick pace. Tips for Cooking a Turkey Great—you know your roasting time. But before you nail down your Thanksgiving game plan, don’t forget to factor in these other time-consuming steps. Thawing a turkey can take anywhere from three to five days. So if you’ve bought a frozen turkey, be sure it is placed in the refrigerator with plenty of time to thaw.

Set aside 15 to 20 minutes to allow your oven to thoroughly preheat. Since many home ovens heat unevenly, it’s a good idea to let your oven come up to temperature, then wait 5 to 10 more minutes before placing the turkey inside. This allows the heat to evenly disperse in the oven before you open the door. It is also a good idea to rotate your turkey at least every hour to help everything cook evenly. Finally, allow the turkey to rest for at least 30 minutes before you carve it. Resting lets the meat cool slightly and reabsorb juices that were bubbling to the surface in the hot oven. This reabsorption is what gives you plump, tender meat.

If you carve the turkey right away, you lose all that tenderness in a puddle on your cutting board or plate! Want to make the best gravy? Learn how to make gravy from pan drippings. How do I get crispy, brown skin on my turkey? The trick to crisp, golden brown skin starts before the turkey even goes in the oven. Plus, you already have this secret ingredient in your pantry! The day before Thanksgiving, remove the bird from its packaging and take out the giblets.