Thanksgiving Countdown: Know the Right Roasting Time for Your Turkey

by Williams-Sonoma Editors November 20, 2015November 19, 2015

Although the prospect of roasting a bird may seem daunting, the truth is, there’s only one thing you really need to get right when it comes to making the turkey: its roasting time. Roasting times for turkeys vary widely based on their size: while a 10-pounder only takes about 2 1/2 hours to cook, one twice its size will take approximately 4 1/2 hours.

We’re posting our best turkey roasting guidelines below, so that you’ll have plenty of time to familiarize yourself with them. (We recommend you print out the chart below and tape it to your fridge!) For best results, roast your turkey on a wire rack in an open roasting pan with sturdy handles. If you use a foil roasting pan, double it for extra strength and take special care when transferring it into and out of the oven.

And don’t forget: After roasting, let the turkey rest for 20 to 30 minutes before carving (this will allow for juices to be reabsorbed).

Your Ultimate Guide to Turkey Roasting Times

Turkey Weight	Approximate Roasting Time	Minimum Pan Size
10 to 12 lb.	2 1/2 to 3 hours	14″ x 10″ x 2 3/4″ high (small)
12 to 14 lb.	2 3/4 to 3 1/4 hours	15 3/4″ x 12″ x 3″ high (medium)
14 to 16 lb.	3 to 3 3/4 hours	15 3/4″ x 12″ x 3″ high (medium)
16 to 18 lb.	3 1/4 to 4 hours	16″ x 13″ x 3″ high (large)
18 to 20 lb.	3 1/2 to 4 1/4 hours	16″ x 13″ x 3″ high (large)
20+ lb.	3 3/4 to 4 1/2 hours	18″ x 13″ x 3″ high (extra-large)