Get ready to impress your friends and family with this easy-to-follow guide on how to cook a Butterball turkey. From prepping the bird to carving it at the table, this guide covers all the essential steps for a perfectly roasted turkey every time.
Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner, this guide will help you achieve mouthwatering results with minimal effort. Follow these simple instructions and you’ll be serving up a show-stopping Butterball turkey in no time!
how to cook a butterball turkey
Cooking a Butterball turkey is a simple process that can be done in a few steps.
Butterball turkey cooking instructions :
- Preheat your oven to the temperature specified on the packaging or in the recipe you are using.
- Remove the turkey from its packaging and discard any giblets or neck that may be inside. Rinse the turkey under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
- Place the turkey in a roasting pan with the breast side up. If you like, you can brush the skin with melted butter or olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cover the pan with aluminum foil and place in the oven. Roast the turkey for about 15 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit when measured with a meat thermometer.
- Remove the foil from the pan during the last 45 minutes of cooking to allow the skin to brown.
- Once the turkey is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for at least 20 minutes before carving. This will allow the juices to redistribute, making the meat tender and juicy.
Enjoy your Butterball turkey!
How long do you cook a Butterball turkey per pound?
A general rule of thumb for cooking a Butterball turkey is to roast it for about 15 minutes per pound at 325 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the exact cooking time will depend on the size and type of turkey you are cooking, as well as the desired level of doneness. It’s important to use a meat thermometer to ensure that the turkey is cooked to a safe internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Here is a rough estimate of cooking times for a Butterball turkey:
- For a turkey weighing 8-12 pounds, roast for 2-3 hours.
- For a turkey weighing 12-16 pounds, roast for 3-4 hours.
- For a turkey weighing 16-20 pounds, roast for 4-5 hours.
- For a turkey weighing 20-24 pounds, roast for 5-6 hours.
Keep in mind that these cooking times are just estimates and may vary based on factors such as the oven temperature, the type of roasting pan used, and the starting temperature of the turkey. It’s always best to use a meat thermometer to ensure that the turkey is fully cooked and safe to eat.
Is it better to cook a turkey at 325 or 350?
Cooking a turkey at 325 degrees Fahrenheit is generally considered the best temperature for ensuring that the bird is cooked to a safe internal temperature without drying out. This lower temperature allows the turkey to cook slowly, which helps to keep it moist and flavorful.
Cooking a turkey at 350 degrees Fahrenheit will cook the bird faster, but it may result in a drier, less moist turkey. While some people prefer the crispy skin that can be achieved at a higher temperature, it’s important to be mindful of the potential for the turkey to dry out.
If you do decide to cook your turkey at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on it and monitor the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to make sure it doesn’t overcook. You may also want to consider using a turkey baster or brushing the turkey with butter or broth to help keep it moist.
How long to cook a Butterball turkey?
To cook a Butterball turkey, you will need to follow the instructions on the packaging or in the user manual that came with your turkey. The cooking time will depend on the size of the turkey, the desired level of doneness, and the cooking method you choose.
Here is a general guide for cooking a Butterball turkey in an oven:
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
- Remove the turkey from the packaging and pat it dry with paper towels.
- Place the turkey, breast side up, in a roasting pan.
- Cover the turkey loosely with foil or a roasting pan lid.
- Calculate the cooking time based on the size of the turkey:
- For a turkey that weighs 10-18 pounds (4.5-8 kg), plan for about 3-3.5 hours of cooking time.
- For a turkey that weighs 18-22 pounds (8-10 kg), plan for about 3.5-4 hours of cooking time.
- For a turkey that weighs 22-24 pounds (10-11 kg), plan for about 4-4.5 hours of cooking time.
- For a turkey that weighs 24-29 pounds (11-13 kg), plan for about 4.5-5 hours of cooking time.
- Check the internal temperature of the turkey using a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should be at least 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the breast and the thigh.
- Remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for at least 20 minutes before carving. This will allow the juices to redistribute and make the meat more tender and flavorful.
It’s important to keep in mind that cooking times can vary depending on a number of factors, including the size and shape of your turkey, the accuracy of your oven, and the ambient temperature in your kitchen. It’s always a good idea to use a meat thermometer to ensure that your turkey is fully cooked.
Here are some tips for cooking a Butterball turkey:
- Thaw the turkey completely in the refrigerator before cooking. A frozen turkey will take about 24 hours for every 5 pounds to thaw in the refrigerator.
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C).
- Remove the giblets and neck from the turkey cavity and rinse the turkey inside and out with cold water. Pat the turkey dry with paper towels.
- Place the turkey, breast side up, on a rack in a roasting pan. Rub the skin with vegetable oil or melted butter to help it brown and to keep it moist.
- Stuff the turkey, if desired. If you choose not to stuff the turkey, place a few halved onions, carrots, and celery stalks in the cavity to add flavor to the drippings.
- Tie the drumsticks together with kitchen string to help keep the shape of the turkey while it cooks.
- Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, making sure it doesn’t touch the bone.
- Roast the turkey for about 15-20 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Cover the breast and top of the drumsticks loosely with foil if the turkey starts to brown too quickly.
- When the turkey is done, remove it from the oven and let it rest for at least 20-30 minutes before carving. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making it more tender and flavorful.
Enjoy your Butterball turkey!
Butterball turkey cooking times and temperatures
Here are some general guidelines for cooking a Butterball turkey:
- Preheat your oven to 325°F.
- Place the turkey, breast side up, on a rack in a roasting pan.
- Tent the turkey with aluminum foil.
- Roast the turkey for about 15 minutes per pound, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers at least 165°F.
- Remove the foil during the last 45 minutes of cooking to allow the skin to brown.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown of cooking times for a Butterball turkey, based on the size of the bird:
- For a turkey weighing 8-12 pounds, roast for 2-3 hours.
- For a turkey weighing 12-14 pounds, roast for 3-3 1/2 hours.
- For a turkey weighing 14-18 pounds, roast for 3 1/2-4 hours.
- For a turkey weighing 18-20 pounds, roast for 4-4 1/2 hours.
- For a turkey weighing 20-24 pounds, roast for 4 1/2-5 hours.
It’s important to use a meat thermometer to ensure that the turkey is cooked to a safe internal temperature. The USDA recommends cooking turkey to an internal temperature of at least 165°F to prevent the risk of foodborne illness.
I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Do you put water in the bottom of the roasting pan for turkey?
It is generally not recommended to add water to the bottom of the roasting pan when cooking a turkey. The main reason for this is that the water can prevent the pan drippings from browning, which can give the turkey a less flavorful and attractive appearance.
Instead of adding water to the roasting pan, it is generally better to baste the turkey with its own juices or with a flavorful liquid, such as broth or wine, to keep it moist while it cooks. This can also help to add flavor to the turkey and to the pan drippings, which can be used to make gravy.
If you do decide to add water to the roasting pan, you should use only a small amount, just enough to cover the bottom of the pan. This can help to prevent the pan from drying out and scorching during the cooking process. Be sure to check the water level periodically and add more as needed to keep the pan from completely drying out.
Should I cover my turkey with foil while cooking?
It is generally recommended to cover a turkey with foil while it is cooking to help keep the heat in and prevent the bird from drying out. Covering the turkey with foil can also help to keep the skin from becoming too brown or burnt. However, it’s important to keep in mind that you should remove the foil for the last 30-45 minutes of cooking to allow the skin to brown and get crispy. If you leave the foil on for the entire cooking time, the skin may not reach the desired level of crispness.
It’s always a good idea to check the internal temperature of your turkey to ensure it is fully cooked and safe to eat. A food thermometer is the most accurate way to determine the internal temperature of the turkey.
Should I prep my turkey the night before?
Preparing a turkey the night before can be a convenient way to save time on the day of cooking. There are a few different ways that you can prep a turkey in advance:
- Brine the turkey: Brining is a process in which the turkey is soaked in a solution of water, salt, and other seasonings to help keep it moist and flavorful. To brine a turkey, you can combine the brine solution in a large container, such as a clean cooler or a pot large enough to hold the turkey. Place the turkey in the solution, cover it, and refrigerate it for at least 8 hours or overnight.
- Rub the turkey with a dry rub: A dry rub is a mixture of herbs and spices that can be rubbed onto the surface of the turkey to add flavor. You can mix up a dry rub in advance and store it in an airtight container until you’re ready to use it. Then, rub the mixture all over the surface of the turkey and refrigerate it overnight.
- Prepare a compound butter: Compound butter is a mixture of butter and herbs or other flavorings that can be used to flavor the turkey. To make compound butter, simply mix together softened butter and your desired herbs or spices and refrigerate it until you’re ready to use it. Then, spread the compound butter over the surface of the turkey and refrigerate it overnight.
It’s important to note that you should only prepare a turkey the night before if you will be cooking it within 24 hours. If you plan to cook the turkey more than a day in advance, it is best to store it in the freezer until you are ready to cook it.