how long to cook a turkey in a roaster

You can use a simple rule of thumb: in an electric roaster, an unstuffed turkey usually cooks at 350°F for about 10–13 minutes per pound, but it’s done when the breast reaches 165°F and the thigh about 175–180°F, not at a specific time.

Basic time-per-pound guide

For most standard electric roasters at 350°F, these ranges are typical for an unstuffed bird. Always verify with a meat thermometer.

• 8–10 lb: about 1.5–2.25 hours

• 10–12 lb: about 2–3 hours

• 12–14 lb: about 3–3.5 hours

• 14–16 lb: about 3.5–4 hours

• 16–20 lb: about 4–4.5 hours

• 20–24 lb: about 4.5–5 hours, sometimes using 6–8 minutes per pound if the roaster runs hot

Some roaster methods start hotter (400–450°F for 30 minutes) then drop to 350°F, which can push the total toward the lower end of those ranges (closer to 10 minutes per pound).

Doneness and food safety

Time is only a guideline; temperature is what keeps turkey safe and juicy.

• Check the thickest part of the breast: 165°F.

• Check the thickest part of the thigh (not touching bone): 175–180°F.

• If stuffed, expect extra time; many roaster recipes recommend cooking the stuffing separately so the turkey cooks more evenly and faster.

• Let the turkey rest 20–30 minutes before carving so juices redistribute.

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