Many of us are putting together our holiday menu or at least beginning to think (stress) about it and need an overnight turkey recipe. To save you some time (and stress), I thought you guys might be interested in this quick post about how to make a turkey overnight.
How to Cook a Turkey Overnight
We put it to the test with a 14-pound turkey, which took 10 1/2 hours to reach 155 degrees before the skin browned and the temperature reached 160 degrees. Keep in mind that smaller birds may dry out a bit if cooked for this long; they roast quickly at a conventional temperature, which solves the issue this overnight method attempts to solve. However, this method may make sense if you’re roasting a turkey that weighs between 16 and 20 pounds. Plan to eat your Thanksgiving meal around noon for the freshest possible bird.
Turkey should be roasted at 325 degrees Fahrenheit, but slow roasting of poultry used to be common practice. And until recently, it was a well-liked method of preparing turkey. Many members of earlier generations grew up roasting turkeys in the oven all night.
Small to medium birds are ideal for keeping your bird safely within those temperature ranges. For very large birds, I advise employing different methods and a higher temperature. This maple-brined turkey recipe works well.
While slow-roasted birds may reach internal temperatures as high as 180 F or even 190 F, turkey is safe to eat once it reaches a temperature of 165 F. Keep in mind that when cooking turkey beyond the recommended safe-to-eat temperature of 165 F, the meat may seize before eventually becoming tender. You can lower the oven temperature to 225 F if you notice that your turkey is cooking too quickly.
Its relatively hands-off approach is even better because it gives you more time to spend with friends and family. Additionally, you’ll have plenty of time to prepare the sides, complete the dessert, and set the table.
The meat of slow-roasted turkey literally falls off the bone, and the skin is a rich, golden-brown color. It is a simple, hands-off method of cooking turkey that consistently produces excellent results.
Keep in mind there are many ways to cook a turkey
There is no one correct way to prepare a turkey, and I’m not claiming that my approach is superior to others. This overnight turkey method is incredibly simple, and your entire bird will be moist and juicy, even the white meat. What’s more, the bird is done first thing when you wake up so you can use that incredibly rich broth and some of the meat to put into your dressing and gravies for the big meal. Feel free to post under this and tell me how y’all do it; it would be a great reference for everyone who reads this.
Jut make sure that it’s cooked through before you serve. Ideally, the breast should be 165°F and the thighs should be 170–175°F.
Stacey Lynn and The Southern Plate Family
FAQ
How long do you cook a turkey at 200?
The low temperature and moisture are basting your turkey while you sleep as you slowly roast it at 200 degrees Fahrenheit for roughly 10 hours. No need to baste your turkey.
Is it safe to cook a turkey at 200 degrees?
This method, which involves roasting the turkey for 12 to 13 hours at 190 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit, is hazardous. Because the turkey will take longer to heat up in a low oven temperature, there is a greater chance that harmful bacteria will grow there and that poisons will be produced, which may not be destroyed by additional cooking.
How long does it take to cook a bone in turkey breast at 250 degrees?
Depending on the size of your bird, baking a turkey at 250 degrees can take anywhere between 4 and 12 hours: Allow 30 minutes per pound.
How many minutes per pound do you cook a turkey breast?
How long should a turkey breast be cooked per pound? The answer is straightforward: 20 minutes per pound at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. For instance, I roasted my 3-pound turkey breast at 350°F for a total of 60 minutes.
