You have the side dishes ready to go in to the oven. The big dinner is coming along without any problems. You are deboning the turkey and you are almost done. The only question you have is how long to cook the deboned turkey. A deboned turkey requires a 325 degrees Fahrenheit (F) oven and you need to know how many pounds the turkey weighed with the bones in it.
Cooking Time and Pounds
Cook the deboned turkey for 20 minutes for each pound. So, a 10 lb. turkey cooks for three hours and 20 minutes. You want to use the weight of the turkey before the deboning process. A 12 lb. turkey cooks for four hours; a 14 lb. turkey cooks for four hours and 40 minutes; a 16 lb. turkey cooks for five hours and 20 minutes; a 18 lb. turkey cooks for six hours; and a 20 lb. turkey cooks for six hours and 40 minutes.
Meat Thermometer
Use a meat thermometer to take the internal temperature of the turkey. The minimum internal temperature of the cooked turkey needs to be 165 degrees F after the completed cooking time in order to be safe to eat. Place the thermometer in the innermost part of the turkey's wing or thigh. Do not place it in the stuffing or dressing. Make sure it is embedded in the meat of the turkey.
Tips
Use cotton string to sew the turkey together. If you are stuffing the turkey with dressing, leave a 4 inch opening in the middle of the turkey by its legs so you can place the dressing inside of the turkey. After stuffing the turkey, sew the opening close and turn the turkey belly side up. The turkey should look like it did before the deboning process. Then use cotton string to tie the drumsticks and wrings together. Next, cover the turkey with aluminum foil and place it in a oven set no lower than 325 degrees F.
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