Roasting a turkey is an activity that takes time and attention to detail. Here are a few tips on how to roast a turkey properly and make sure it tastes its best.
Buying A 20 lb Turkey
If you’re planning on roasting a turkey for a crowd, here are some tips to keep in mind: Start by weighing your turkey, and multiply that number by 1.5 to get an idea of the total weight. This gives you an idea of how long it will take to bake. Next, get the bird prepped for roasting. This includes brining, roasting, and basting. Get your turkey brined by soaking it in a solution containing salt, pepper, and a variety of spices. After brining, wrap the turkey in foil, and place it on a rack in a roasting pan. Use an oven thermometer to check the internal temperature of the turkey. Start checking it for 5 minutes after preheating. To help it cook evenly, cover it loosely with foil to minimize direct contact with the oven. Use a handheld thermometer to make sure that the bottom of the turkey is not browning too quickly. After you have the turkey prepped, you will want to baste it after every 30 minutes. Make sure that you use a basting brush and a cup of your favorite stuffing. If you don’t have a basting brush, it’s easy enough to just use a spoon.
Optional Stuff
We had a few people ask about turkey roasting time. In a 20 lb turkey, you’ll need about 3-4 hours. When you’re ready to start roasting, bring your turkey out of the refrigerator. Place it in a roasting pan (non-stick is best). You can use a roasting rack, if you like, but it’s not strictly necessary. Pour a thin layer of oil or butter around the turkey and let it sit out for about 30 minutes to an hour. This will ensure the turkey is even cooking when you put it in the oven.
Timing
How long to roast a 20 lb turkey
Roasting Process
1) Rinse inside and out with a damp cloth and then with cold water. 2) Remove excess fat and then rub with a damp paper towel. 3) Rinse again. 4) Place on a rack in the refrigerator and loosely cover. If desired, rub with butter. Or, when finished roasting, rub with butter. 5) Sprinkle with salt and pepper. 6) Bake, uncovered, at 325° for 1 hour 30 minutes, adding 10 minutes per pound after the first hour. Turn every 30 minutes. Roasting in the oven to an internal temperature of 165° for 1 hour 15 minutes.
Oven Temperature
It may seem like a lot of work to roast a turkey, but it’s actually pretty easy. Once you have your turkey and its cavity has been prepped, you simply place it in a shallow dish and cover it with a sheet of aluminum foil. Then, place it in a cold oven set at 400°F. Bake the turkey for about half an hour. Remove it from the oven, and use a meat thermometer to check the temperature inside of the bird. Once it’s at 160°F, remove it from the oven and set it aside. Using a sharp knife, slice the turkey open, and remove the backbone. Remove the stuffing, and chop it up. Use the pan drippings and a gravy or cranberry sauce to make gravy or cranberry sauce.
I’m Brian Danny Max, a chef and a writer at cookingtom.com. I’m here to talk about food and cooking, and to share some of my favorite recipes with you all! I’ve been interested in food and cooking since I was a child. My parents are both great cooks, and they taught me a lot about the kitchen. I’ve been cooking professionally for about 10 years now, and I’ve loved every minute of it! I specialize in healthy, flavorful recipes that are easy to make at home. I believe that anyone can cook a delicious meal, no matter their skill level. I’m here to help you learn how to cook, and to show you that it’s not as difficult as you might think! I hope you’ll check out my blog and my recipes, and I look forward to hearing from you!