Thanksgiving Turkey Calculator
Everything you need to time the turkey: how big a bird to buy, when to start thawing it, and how long to roast or smoke it. Times follow USDA food safety guidance.
1. How big a turkey do you need?
Start with 1 pound of whole turkey per adult and half that per child, then adjust for big or light eaters and how many leftovers you want.
- Buy a turkey of about
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- Refrigerator thawing time
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2. When to start thawing
A frozen turkey thaws in the refrigerator at about 1 day per 4 pounds, so a big bird needs to move to the fridge the weekend before Thanksgiving.
- Thawing time
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- Start thawing
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3. How long to cook it
Enter your dinner time to see when the turkey needs to go in. The time includes 30 minutes of resting before carving.
- Estimated cooking time
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- Turkey goes in by
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- Doneness
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4. Turkey thawing and cooking charts
Thawing times
| Turkey weight | In the refrigerator | In cold water |
|---|---|---|
| 8–12 lb | 2–3 days | 4 hr – 6 hr |
| 12–16 lb | 3–4 days | 6 hr – 8 hr |
| 16–20 lb | 4–5 days | 8 hr – 10 hr |
| 20–24 lb | 5–6 days | 10 hr – 12 hr |
Cooking times
8–12 lb
- Oven 325°F, unstuffed
- 2 hr 45 min – 3 hr
- Oven 325°F, stuffed
- 3 hr – 3 hr 30 min
- Smoker 275–300°F
- 2 hr 40 min – 5 hr
- Smoker 225–250°F
- 4 hr – 8 hr
12–14 lb
- Oven 325°F, unstuffed
- 3 hr – 3 hr 45 min
- Oven 325°F, stuffed
- 3 hr 30 min – 4 hr
- Smoker 275–300°F
- 4 hr – 5 hr 50 min
- Smoker 225–250°F
- 6 hr – 9 hr 20 min
14–18 lb
- Oven 325°F, unstuffed
- 3 hr 45 min – 4 hr 15 min
- Oven 325°F, stuffed
- 4 hr – 4 hr 15 min
- Smoker 275–300°F
- 4 hr 40 min – 7 hr 30 min
- Smoker 225–250°F
- 7 hr – 12 hr
18–20 lb
- Oven 325°F, unstuffed
- 4 hr 15 min – 4 hr 30 min
- Oven 325°F, stuffed
- 4 hr 15 min – 4 hr 45 min
- Smoker 275–300°F
- 6 hr – 8 hr 20 min
- Smoker 225–250°F
- 9 hr – 13 hr 20 min
20–24 lb
- Oven 325°F, unstuffed
- 4 hr 30 min – 5 hr
- Oven 325°F, stuffed
- 4 hr 45 min – 5 hr 15 min
- Smoker 275–300°F
- 6 hr 40 min – 10 hr
- Smoker 225–250°F
- 10 hr – 16 hr
| Turkey weight | Oven 325°F, unstuffed | Oven 325°F, stuffed | Smoker 275–300°F | Smoker 225–250°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8–12 lb | 2 hr 45 min – 3 hr | 3 hr – 3 hr 30 min | 2 hr 40 min – 5 hr | 4 hr – 8 hr |
| 12–14 lb | 3 hr – 3 hr 45 min | 3 hr 30 min – 4 hr | 4 hr – 5 hr 50 min | 6 hr – 9 hr 20 min |
| 14–18 lb | 3 hr 45 min – 4 hr 15 min | 4 hr – 4 hr 15 min | 4 hr 40 min – 7 hr 30 min | 7 hr – 12 hr |
| 18–20 lb | 4 hr 15 min – 4 hr 30 min | 4 hr 15 min – 4 hr 45 min | 6 hr – 8 hr 20 min | 9 hr – 13 hr 20 min |
| 20–24 lb | 4 hr 30 min – 5 hr | 4 hr 45 min – 5 hr 15 min | 6 hr 40 min – 10 hr | 10 hr – 16 hr |
Oven times are from the USDA. Smoker times are estimates; wind, cold weather, and opening the lid all add time.
5. Turkey safety basics
- Cook to 165°F. Check the thickest part of the breast, the innermost part of the thigh, and the wing. Color and pop-up timers are not reliable.
- Never thaw on the counter. The outside warms into the 40–140°F danger zone while the inside is still frozen.
- Cold water means cold. Keep the turkey in its wrapping, submerge it, and change the water every 30 minutes.
- Stuffing must reach 165°F too. Baking it in a separate dish is easier and safer.
- Don't rinse the raw turkey. It splashes bacteria around the sink without making the bird any safer.
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours. Carve the meat off the bone first so it cools quickly.
Questions on the day? The USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline is 1-888-674-6854, and the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line is 1-800-288-8372.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to thaw a 20 lb turkey?
About 5 days in the refrigerator, or about 10 hours in cold water if you change the water every 30 minutes.
How long do I cook a 16 lb turkey at 325°F?
An unstuffed 16 lb turkey takes about 3¾ to 4¼ hours at 325°F. A stuffed one takes about 4 to 4¼ hours. It is done when a thermometer reads 165°F in the thickest part of the breast, thigh, and wing.
Can I cook a turkey that is still frozen?
Yes. It is safe, but it takes about 50% longer than a thawed turkey, and you cannot remove the giblets until partway through.
How long can a thawed turkey stay in the refrigerator?
A turkey thawed in the refrigerator can stay there for 1 to 2 days before cooking. A turkey thawed in cold water should be cooked right away.
Should I smoke a stuffed turkey?
No. Stuffing inside a turkey in a smoker warms too slowly to be safe. Smoke the turkey unstuffed and bake the stuffing separately.
How long should a turkey rest before carving?
Let it rest for 20 to 30 minutes, loosely covered with foil. The juices settle and the meat is easier to carve.
How long are Thanksgiving leftovers good for?
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking and eat them within 3 to 4 days, or freeze them for longer storage.