Estimate how long to roast a whole turkey at 325°F, based on its weight and whether it’s stuffed.
How it works
Roasting time scales with weight: about 13 minutes per pound unstuffed, or about 15 minutes per pound stuffed, at 325°F. A 12-pound unstuffed turkey needs roughly 2 hours 36 minutes.
What this does not include
This is a time estimate, not a substitute for checking doneness — always verify with a meat thermometer reading 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh, since oven variation and bird shape affect actual cooking time.
How to use this calculator
- Enter the turkey’s weight in pounds.
- Select whether it’s stuffed or unstuffed.
- Read off the estimated roasting time.
A worked example
A 12 lb unstuffed turkey: cooking time ≈ 2 hours 36 minutes (156 minutes total).
A 16 lb stuffed turkey: cooking time ≈ 4 hours (240 minutes) — stuffing adds meaningful time, since the stuffing itself needs to reach a safe temperature too.
What the variables mean
| Variable | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Weight | Turkey weight, in pounds |
| Stuffed | Whether the turkey is stuffed, which extends cooking time |
Edge cases worth knowing
A stuffed turkey takes noticeably longer than the same weight unstuffed — the second example’s 16 lb stuffed bird takes 240 minutes, well beyond a simple linear scale-up from the first example’s 12 lb unstuffed time.
This is a time estimate, not a substitute for a meat thermometer. Actual doneness should always be confirmed with an internal temperature reading (165°F), since oven variation and starting temperature affect real cooking time.
Why does a stuffed turkey take longer to cook?
Stuffing inside the cavity slows heat penetration to the center of the bird, so both the stuffing and the meat need more time to reach a safe temperature.
What internal temperature means a turkey is done?
165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh and in the center of any stuffing, per USDA food-safety guidance — always confirm with a thermometer rather than relying on cooking time alone.
Does this account for a convection oven?
No — this uses standard conventional-oven roasting rates; convection ovens generally cook somewhat faster, so check the bird earlier if using one.
