how long should you cook a 17 lb turkey

For a 17 lb turkey, plan on about 4 to 4.5 hours if it’s unstuffed at 325–350°F, or about 5.5 to 6 hours if it’s stuffed, but always go by temperature, not time alone.

Safe cook times

• Unstuffed at 325–350°F (163–177°C): roughly 15–20 minutes per pound, so a 17 lb bird is about 4–4.5 hours.

• Stuffed at 325–350°F: closer to 5.5–6 hours for a 17 lb turkey.

• Many guides list 17–19 lb unstuffed turkeys at about 4 hours 15 minutes to 4 hours 45 minutes at 350°F.

Internal temperatures

• Check the thickest part of the thigh and breast; they should reach at least 165°F (74°C).

• If stuffed, the stuffing itself also needs to reach 165°F in the center for food safety.

Simple step-by-step

1. Preheat oven to 325–350°F (163–177°C).

2. Roast breast-side up; start checking temp around the 3.5–4 hour mark for a 17 lb unstuffed turkey.

3. When the breast and thigh hit 165°F, tent and rest the turkey 20–30 minutes before carving so juices redistribute.

Quick adjustments

• If your oven runs hot or you open the door a lot, timing can shift by 30–45 minutes either way.

• If the skin is browning too fast but the turkey isn’t done, loosely cover with foil and keep roasting until the right temperature is reached.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.