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How Long to Cook a 15 lb Turkey — Oven Timing Calculator

A 15-pound turkey is a popular size for mid-size gatherings — feeding 12–16 people at Thanksgiving while remaining manageable for the home cook. At 325°F, plan on 3.5–4 hours for an unstuffed bird. This size needs 3 days of refrigerator thawing, fits in most standard home ovens without special roasting pans, and is large enough to have meaningful leftover potential. Enter your dinner time to get your complete Thanksgiving schedule.

A 15 lb turkey needs 3 days to thaw in the fridge. For Thanksgiving: start thawing Monday morning if eating Thursday afternoon.
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Thawing first? Allow 24 hours in the refrigerator per 4–5 lbs of turkey. A 14 lb turkey needs 3 days to thaw safely. Never thaw at room temperature.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to cook a 14 lb turkey?
At 325°F, an unstuffed 14-pound turkey takes approximately 3–3.75 hours. Always cook to an internal temperature of 165°F measured in the thickest part of the thigh, not touching the bone.
Is it safe to cook a stuffed turkey?
The USDA recommends cooking stuffing separately for food safety — the stuffing inside the bird reaches 165°F long after the turkey meat is done, leading to overcooked, dry turkey. Cook stuffing separately for both safety and better texture.
How long to rest a turkey after cooking?
Rest a turkey for 20–30 minutes after removing from the oven. Tent loosely with foil. Larger turkeys stay hot longer than you think — they won't get cold in 30 minutes.
At what temperature is turkey done?
Turkey is done when the thickest part of the thigh reads 165°F (74°C) on an instant-read thermometer. Insert the thermometer away from bone, which conducts heat and gives a false high reading.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long to cook a 15 lb turkey at 325°F?
A 15-pound unstuffed turkey takes 3.5–4 hours at 325°F. A stuffed 15-pound bird takes 4–4.5 hours. Always verify with a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the inner thigh — it should read 165°F before you remove the turkey from the oven.
What time should I put a 15 lb turkey in for a 3 PM Thanksgiving dinner?
For a 3 PM dinner with a 15-pound turkey: put it in the oven at 10:30–11 AM at 325°F. Allow 30 minutes of resting time before carving, so you want it out of the oven by 2:30 PM. With 3.5–4 hours of cook time, starting at 10:30–11 AM hits that target comfortably.
How many people does a 15 lb turkey feed?
A 15-pound turkey feeds 12–16 people for Thanksgiving with standard sides, or 10–12 people if you want generous portions plus leftovers. After cooking, it yields approximately 9 pounds of edible meat. For leftover-focused cooks, this size provides excellent sandwich and soup material for the following 2–3 days.

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