Turkey Cooking Time Calculator
How long a turkey takes and when to put it in — with the thaw time, resting time and the temperature that actually matters.
The rule of thumb is roughly 40 minutes per kilogram at 160 °C for an unstuffed bird, plus 20 minutes.
How the turkey cooking time calculator works
The rule of thumb is roughly 40 minutes per kilogram at 160 °C for an unstuffed bird, plus 20 minutes. Stuffing adds time, because the cavity heats slowly and must also reach a safe temperature.
The times are a guide. What determines doneness is the internal temperature — 74 °C in the thickest part of the thigh — and a thermometer is the only reliable way to know. Thawing is the step people underestimate: a frozen turkey needs about a day per two kilograms in the fridge.
Formula: time ≈ 40 min/kg + 20 min at 160 °C
Worked examples
| Inputs | Cooking time | Note |
|---|---|---|
| A 5 kg unstuffed turkey | 3 h 40 min | about 3 h 40 min |
| Stuffed | 4 h 20 min | roughly 45 minutes longer |
| A larger bird | 5 h 40 min | about 5 h 40 min |
FAQFrequently asked questions
How long does a turkey take?
Roughly 40 minutes per kilogram plus 20 minutes at 160 °C, unstuffed. A 5 kg bird is about 3 hours 40 minutes.
Does stuffing change the time?
Yes, by about 20%. The cavity heats slowly and the stuffing itself must reach a safe temperature.
What internal temperature?
74 °C in the thickest part of the thigh, away from the bone. A thermometer is the only reliable test — time is an estimate.
How long to thaw?
About a day per 2 kg in the fridge. A 5 kg bird needs two and a half days, which is the step most often left too late.
Why rest it?
Resting lets the juices redistribute and the temperature even out. Twenty to thirty minutes makes a substantial difference to how it carves.
Where these figures come from
- US FDA — Safe Minimum Internal Temperatures — the internal temperatures the roasting calculator targets
- NIST SP 811 — Guide for the Use of the International System of Units — the exact weight and volume conversions used throughout
- US Food and Drug Administration — food safety and labelling standards
Last checked: September 2026. Baking ratios follow standard baker's percentage practice; roasting guidance follows published safe internal temperatures.