Planning Your Holiday Dinner Timeline
Cooking a large roast or a whole Thanksgiving turkey is stressful because everything else (the sides, the gravy, the guests' arrival) revolves around when the meat comes out of the oven. Our Meat Roasting Time Calculator gives you a highly accurate estimate so you can plan your day.
How We Calculate Roasting Times
Our calculator uses the standard culinary minutes-per-pound rules. For example, an unstuffed turkey typically takes 13 to 15 minutes per pound at 325°F. However, ovens vary wildly, and things like opening the oven door to baste can slow down the cooking process significantly.
Why the Thermometer is King
While time-per-pound is a great way to estimate when dinner will be ready, it should never be used to decide if the meat is safe to eat. You must always use a meat thermometer.
- Poultry (Turkey & Chicken): Must reach 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh.
- Pork: Safe at 145°F with a 3-minute rest.
- Beef: Safe at 145°F, but many prefer Medium Rare at 135°F. Note that the temperature will continue to rise by 5 to 10 degrees while resting (carry-over cooking).
Frequently Asked Questions
An unstuffed 15-pound turkey will take approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes to 3 hours and 45 minutes to roast at 325°F. You should start checking the internal temperature after 3 hours.
The USDA recommends cooking all poultry (including turkey and chicken) to a safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Always measure the thickest part of the thigh without touching the bone.
Yes! You should rest large roasts and turkeys for at least 20 to 30 minutes before carving. Resting allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat. If you carve it immediately, all the juices will run out onto your cutting board.