How Long and at What Temp. Should I Cook a 19 Pound Turkey?

[Cinnamon Girl]

Every year I look up recipes for how to roast the turkey, and there are so many variations out there of temperatures for the oven and what temperature the thigh meat should be to determine if it's done.

My turkey is out and ready to go and people are coming at 3pm.

[Petronski]

Oh, and the bird should rest 2 minutes per pound after removal from the oven, or much of your moisture will be lost as steam.

[Mustang]

Too late girl....call for take out!

And, you started planning when?

Mustang sends...w/ mega :-D

[The Other Harry]

Will it be done by 2:30 or should I turn it up to 350?

I don't know your time zone, so 2:30 means nothing to me. In general, you're looking at about five hours.

I would not turn the temp back up. A short hot blast, then a long slow cook is my preference. Covering with cheesecloth and basting is fine. Let stand for 1/2 hour before carving.

I do have a meat thermometer, but there seems to be different opinions about what temp the thigh meat should be.

First, you want the thermom in the thickest part -- that is typically between the thigh and the breast. You want it in, not just on the surface.

I would go with at least 160. I'd probably go 170. But no more than that.

Someone else recommended 140. That seems awfully low to me.

[clamboat]

300 Degrees, 20 min per pound.

Or 600 Degrees for only 10 min per pound. It's up to you.

If your oven will go up to 900 degrees, you can cook a standard 12 lb. turkey in only 25 minutes or so.

[sneakers]

Yep Muggs, easiest way I know - no basting, and never a dry turkey! Sounds like everybody has a favorite way of doing their turkey. This is what works best for my family and me. Happy Thanksgiving!

[The Other Harry]

I rub the inside of the bird with lemon then drain it...

You left out the garlic.

[drstevej]

***"I'll carve the Turkey if you don't mind."***

I was planning to use a rusty box cutter to carve the numbers 9-11 in the turkey's breast!

[Argh]

I wouldn't like garlic with turkey, but many people may like it.

[socal_parrot]

First buy one of these....

And then cook it for twelve minutes a pound.

[Vinnie]

I'll second the bag. Just finished dinner. My wife always uses a bag. Moist and delicous. She puts a few stalks of celery in the bottom of the bag to aid removing. Stuffed 20 lb bird, 3.5 hrs at350.

[ALASKA]

Does the turkey have a little plastic button in it? Most turkeys you buy at the store do. If so, you just cook it until the button pops out.

Now that is evolution at work!!!

[Wild Irish Rogue]

" The turducken took us five and a half hours at 325."

What does the turducken taste like? Does the meat taste like individual pieces of turkey,duck and chicken or does it taste like a unique kind of fowl? John Madden opened one up, with his bare hands, at half time on MNF-his bird fell apart and looked very unappealing-perhaps his caveman cutting technique was the reason.Do the layers stay separate when the bird is carved ? Is there stuffing between the layers? Our local grocery stocks frozen turduckens, from Louisiana around this time-I've always wanted to try it,but the frozen is probably not nearly as good as the fresh. Happy Thanksgiving !

[SFConservative]

1000 C for 5 seconds.

Good to see that you remember your Arrhenius Law from your chemistry classes.

Similarly, if you cook the turkey at 70 degrees F for 105 days it should be perfect. You just have to remember to set it out on the counter on August 15 at 3 pm sharp so it's ready on November 28 at 3 pm. But I did it this year and it sure looks and smells great!

[sneakers]

Thanks for the celery tip Vinnie. We're having turkey for Christmas dinner. I'll give it a try then! I've been using the cooking bag for years. Love it!

[underdog]

Okay...I'm probably too late but here it goes. As I raise turkeys every year I ALWAYS get asked this question. The best guideline I've run across is from Fannie Farmer.This is for a STUFFED turkey.

Preheat oven to 325 then cook @ 15min/lb. if turkey weights LESS THAN 16lbs., cook at 12min./lb if HEAVIER than 16 lbs.

At 19lbs. you might want to cover it with tin foil half way through so as not to dry out breast and legs.

Happy Thanksgiving!

[dalereed]

When it's smoking it's cooking, when it's black it's done!

[2sheep]

Ask a pro.

Preparing a Traditional Thanksgiving Turkey by carlo3b - #215

Here is a whole thread of carlo3b recipes: Remembering Thanksgiving Day

[Saturnalia]

Of course, you could do it the QUICK way and just stick the turkey on an Athlon.

That sucker will be done in under two blinks.

[UKCajun]

My wife (Cordon Bleu Chef) says:

Turkey:

180 degrees C, 16-18 minutes per 450 grams, for turkey over 4.5 kilos

Baste frequently.

Personally, I'd just cook it until it looks right and the juices run clear when I poke it!

[Cinnamon Girl]

HEY, I'M AMERICAN. I DON'T KNOW NOTHING ABOUT NO CELSIUS AND KILOS.