How to make sure your turkey is cooked

Even confident cooks worry about getting the turkey roasting time just right – no need with this advice from the delicious. test kitchen

How to make sure your turkey is cooked
  • Take the turkey out of the fridge an hour or two before you plan to cook. It will cook more evenly from room temperature.
  •  The cooking time depends on the size and type of bird. For a fresh, 5kg free-range bird to feed 6-8 people, plan on 2-2½ hours.
  • The easiest way to ensure the turkey is cooked is to use a digital meat thermometer, available from cook shops or amazon.co.uk. Stick the thermometer into the thickest parts of the breast and leg. If it reads 70°C or over for 2 minutes, the turkey is done (the official line is 72°C but the bird continues to cook for a while out of the oven).
  • A more intuitive way to check is to stick a skewer into the thickest parts of the breast and leg. If the juices run clear with no traces of pink, it’s ready. For cooking an important meal, though, a meat thermometer really is best.
  • Don’t worry if your turkey is cooked long before you’re planning to serve Christmas lunch – it will sit happily (and stay warm) for up to 2 hours, resting on a serving plate loosely covered with foil. In fact, it will taste all the better for this interlude.
  • For ease of cooking and fantastic flavour, choose a quality, fresh, free-range turkey. Birds purchased from KellyBronze and Copas come with meat thermometers or pop-up timers and cooking instructions.

More to discover

Subscribe to our magazine

Food stories, skills and tested recipes, straight to your door... Enjoy 5 issues for just £5 with our special introductory offer.

Subscribe

Unleash your inner chef

Looking for inspiration? Receive the latest recipes with our newsletter

We treat your data with care. See our privacy policy. By signing up, you are agreeing to delicious.’ terms and conditions. Unsubscribe at any time.