Turkey Whole Cooking Times and Calculator
Although turkeys aren’t native to the UK, they have been eaten in Britain for hundreds of years. There is evidence of turkeys being imported to the UK in the early 16th century. Henry VIII was apparently the first British monarch to enjoy turkey on Christmas day. When shopping for a whole turkey, it is best to allow at least one pound of meat per person. This will allow for plenty of second helpings plus some leftovers. If you don't want to allow for any leftovers, plan on three quarters of a pound per person.
Turkey Roasting Tips
- Let the meat come up to room temperature before cooking
- Always ensure turkey is fully cooked before eating. You check this by inserting a skewer in the thickest part of the meat and checking that the juices that come out are clear, not pink or red.
- If stuffing your turkey make sure that you calculate the cooking time from the weight of the turkey including the stuffing!
- Don't forget to rest the meat before carving. This allows the meat to relax and distributes the juices throughout. A general rule of thumb used by chefs for resting meat is 1 minute for every 100g of meat.