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.

[Pablo64]

"But how long do you leave a tofurkey in the oven?"

You don't. Tofurkey should never, ever, come in contact, or even close proximity to your oven. Tofurkey goes into an entirely different contraption, usually made of porcelain and found in the bathroom. ;-)

[Tennessee_Bob]

See post #55

[Pablo64]

Cooking bags rule! I thought it was "cheating" till my mom clued me in that she used them as well (and we all know that if mom does it that way, it must be the right way!).

[Tennessee_Bob]

you might want to cover it with tin foil

Why, is she taking the turkey to that "other" website??

[carlo3b]

Oh no, I's been too active here and I didn't see this until now...guests arriving at 3pm, and it's 3:49 now...GULP! Prayers on the way! ;)

[katze]

Is this a trick question? ;-)

Didn't even have turkey this year, nor did I cook. We had a great spiral sliced ham, and all the trimmings.

[katze]

Another tip that seems to work. Put a whole, unpeeled apple in the cavity (if you aren't going to stuff the turkey), which seems to add moisture.

[mombonn]

I did an 18 pounder this morning in a cooking bag. It took 3-1/2 hours, and was DELICIOUS!

I've been cooking Thanksgiving dinner for over 20 years, and have wrapped turkeys in foil, done them in brown paper bags, and just about any other method I've read about, except deep frying.

Cooking bags are the best - turkey is moist, LOTS of juice for gravy. They're the only way to go.

Happy Thanksgiving one and all!

[Phaedrus]

This would be what I would do -- except that I'd go 450/325.

I agree. Sear it first.

[spectre]

Hope your turkey was "done" to perfection!

Had to share this story with the forum today. Our next door neighbor, Bubba, was outside "deep-frying" Mr. Turkey. He told us the Turkey weighed 10 pounds and he had been deep frying it for 3 hours!! (He said he lost the directions how long to deep fry it).

I looked it up on the internet for him, and it says "Deep Fry 35 minutes for 10 pounds"...

I think he ended up with one crispy, greasy critter. Didn't have the heart to ask him how it was...poor guy.

sw

[Phaedrus]

Long set of instructions . . . how many days before Thanksgiving do you start?

[Argh]

Same day!

[Argh]

Except, of course, for the bread for the stuffing. I usually tear that up 48 hours before stuffing.

[Phaedrus]

Or 600 Degrees for only 10 min per pound ...

Hoo Boy! Smoke City!

[Phaedrus]

You do a lot of work -- but I'll bet the result is perfection. Give me a call next year and I'll be over ... ;-}

[Argh]

Thank you. I'm in Canaduh, so we have our Thanksgiving on your Columbus Day. And actually, preparation of the stuffing and the bird, etc., before putting it in the oven only takes roughly 45 minutes.

[The Other Harry]

I think he ended up with one crispy, greasy critter. Didn't have the heart to ask him how it was...poor guy.

Don't worry. Bubba won't know the difference. Nor will his descendants or his "significant other".

As long as the beer doesn't run out, he'll be just fine.

On that note see:
http://www.wkmg.com/orlpn/news/stories/news-180741220021126-101153.html

[SauronOfMordor]

I'm doing mine at 500 degrees for 30 minutes and then cover with foil and I think 350 until it's cooked to the right temp.

We did that with our turkey (500 first 1/2 hour, then 325 til done). Came out VERY good, very moist. The initial searing of the skin really sealed in the juices well. Thanks for the tip

[The Other Harry]

You know, you really do owe thoze of us'ins who pitched into this thread an "after action" report. I'll take a plate of the left-overs as well. ;)

[jwalsh07]

Cook the turkey until it starts screaming about the Vast Right Wing Media Conspiracy. At that point, you'll know for sure the turkey is done.