Introduction

The arrival of a plump, golden brown turkey on the table is the crowning moment of many holiday feasts. But accomplishing this Norman Rockwell-esque scene requires some forethought and precision regarding proper cooking times. Undercooked turkey can compromise food safety, while overcooked poultry may dry and bland.

When it comes to a showstopping bird, you can’t go wrong with a Butterball turkey. Their plump, hearty turkeys have fed families across America for over 60 years. However, following correct cook times is paramount, even with a top turkey brand.

The Butterball Turkey Cooking Time guidelines provide a roadmap to culinary perfection. Knowing the Butterball Turkey Cooking Time ensures a succulent centerpiece for your holiday feast

Cooking your turkey using the correct time guidelines ensures your bird comes out tender and delicious. The specific timing depends on various factors, like the size of your turkey, whether it’s frozen or thawed, and your desired doneness. We will explore it all in this complete guide to foolproof Butterball turkey cooking times. Following the recommended Butterball Turkey Cooking Time guarantees a perfectly cooked bird every time.

In this post, you’ll learn insights like:

• Thawing timelines, whether your Butterball turkey is in the fridge or submerged in a cold water bath
• The impact of a frozen or fully-thawed bird on overall cook times
• Roast times tailored to the exact weight of your turkey
• Ensuring your bird reaches the safe internal temperature to destroy bacteria

Before following the cooking time guidelines, let’s start with some turkey thawing tips. Follow this advice, and you’ll be thankful for a perfect Butterball turkey all season.

Selecting and Thawing Your Butterball Turkey Cooking Time for the Perfect Feast

You’ve ordered your Butterball turkey – an excellent choice! Now it’s time to properly thaw this gobbler to ensure it cooks thoroughly and tastes delicious on turkey day. The Butterball Turkey Cooking Time is the key to achieving tender, juicy meat and crispy skin.

When selecting your showstopper Butterball, size matters. Weights typically range from 8 pounds to over 24 pounds. The bigger the bird, the longer thawing can take. Here’s a quick reference:

Turkey Size	Approximate Weight
Small	8 – 16 pounds
Medium	16 – 24 pounds
Large	Over 24 pounds

With size in mind, decide between a frozen or fresh bird to determine your thawing timeline. You have two options:

Fridge Thawing

• Safest method, with gradual temperature change
• Plan for __24 hours of thawing time per 4-5 pounds__
• Place turkey, still wrapped, on a tray to catch liquids
• Avoid fridge overcrowding to allow airflow

For example, a thawed 16-pound turkey would require nearly four days in the refrigerator!

Cold Water Thawing

• Faster thawing, but requires vigilance
• Immerse the covered turkey in cold tap water, replacing the water every half an hour.
• Plan for __30 minutes thawing time per pound__ 
• Cook immediately after water thawing completes 

That same 16-pound turkey would thaw in 8 hours with this method.

Whichever you choose, the top priority is ensuring your Butterball is fully thawed before cooking. Check the inner cavity and thick parts like thighs to guarantee no ice remains. If under-thawed, unsafe bacteria could survive the cooking process. 

Now that you know the drill on safely thawing your Butterball, let’s talk cook times!

Setting the Ideal Your Golden Brown Butterball Turkey Cooking Time

The thawing is complete, and guests will soon arrive. Now comes everyone’s favourite part – roasting the Butterball turkey to golden brown perfection!

Achieving complex flavours and tender meat with this gobbler requires using the proper cook times suited for its size and format.

Mastering the Butterball Turkey Cooking Time results in a memorable meal shared with loved ones.

We will cover everything from oven roasting to deep frying times. Follow these Turkey Day tips and tricks to impress your guests as quickly as 1-2-3.

Fresh (Unfrozen) Butterball Turkey Cooking Time 

Oven Roasting The turkey allows the heat to penetrate gradually for succulent, evenly cooked meat. Use these times as your roast guide:

Turkey Weight	Total Roast Time at 325°F
8 – 12 lbs	2 3/4 to 3 hours
12 – 14 lbs	3 to 3 3/4 hours
14 – 18 lbs	3 3/4 to 4 1/4 hours
18 – 20 lbs	4 1/4 to 4 1/2 hours
20- 24 lbs	4 1/2 to 5 hours

For Grilling or Smoking the bird, allot about 15-20 minutes per pound at a heat of 325°F. Get ready for crispy skin and subtle notes of wood smoke!

The Deep Fry method allows 3-4 minutes _total_ per pound at 350°. Carefully monitor oil temperature and doneness to avoid overcooking. Hot diggity! Crispiest skin imaginable with this quick cooking time.

Have you got a stuffed Butterball? Extend roasting times by 30-45 minutes to guarantee the filling reaches 165°F.

Is it Safe to Cook a Frozen Butterball Turkey Cooking Time? Plus, How to Check Doneness

You opened the fridge expecting a thawed feast-worthy Butterball but are met with a solid frozen bird instead!

Not to worry – if you timed things correctly, there should still be ample time to safely thaw it using proper techniques. However, in a time crunch, you may be wondering:

Can you cook a frozen Butterball Turkey Cooking Time?

The USDA does not recommend this. Cooking from frozen poses risks:

• The outside could overcook and dry out before the inside thaws 
• The innermost meat may never reach the proper minimum safe temperature of 165°F needed to destroy bacteria

For food safety, allowing the full thawing time for your turkey size before roasting is best.

If caught without enough time, you have three options:

1. Switch formats to a Turkey Breast instead of a whole bird

2. Prepare an entirely different protein like ham or roast beef

3. Postpone the meal once your frozen bird has safely thawed 

While inconvenient, don’t let improperly cooked poultry put your holiday at risk. Playing it safe ensures you have many more tasty Turkey Days ahead! 

Once you are ready to cook, use these methods to determine when your Butterball reaches doneness:

Use Your Senses

Visually inspect the turkey:

• The internal temperature of the meat must be at least 165°F. 
• Look for thighs and drumsticks to move freely
• Juices should run clear when pricking with a fork

Take a Reading 

Insert a meat thermometer into the:

• Inner thigh – should reach 165°F
• Thickest section of the breast – should reach 165°F 

Once removed from heat, expect a carryover cooking increase of 5-10° F before serving.

After all this talk of doneness, are you ready to bite into that juicy, golden brown Butterball yet? Let’s cover how to round things out…

Add Flavor and Moisture to Your Butterball with Brining and Basting

You’ve mastered thawing and cooking times for your Butterball turkey. Two final tips will make this bird the crown jewel of your holiday spread.

First, consider bringing your turkey in a saltwater solution up to two days before cooking. Benefits include:

• Retains moisture for more succulent meat
• Allows seasonings to deeply permeate the meat
• Enhances flavor with the salt interaction 

Mix 1 cup salt per gallon of water along with desired seasonings. Submerge turkey, keeping fridge temps at 40°F. Rinse the bird before roasting.

While your Butterball roasts, frequent basting helps:

• Promote browning through added moisture on the skin
• Prevent drying of the breast and other parts

For the best flavor, create an herbed baste:

• Melt 4 tablespoons butter 
• Mix in 1⁄2 cup chicken or turkey stock
• Add sprigs of thyme, rosemary, and other desired herbs
• Simmer until thickened, then mash herbs to release flavours
• Use for basting throughout roasting

Finally, tent the turkey loosely with foil during the final 30-60 minutes if the skin gets too dark. This allows it to finish roasting without burning.

Serve Butterball Turkey Cooking Time Safely and Make the Most of Leftovers  

The spread is set, and the butterball turkey’s perfect doneness is calling. Follow proper guidelines when serving and storing leftovers.

To carve:

• Allow the turkey to rest 20+ min before carving
• Use a sharp knife to slice breast meat, legs, wings and thighs
• Cut wings, legs, and thighs from the body first when portioning
• Slice breast meat thinly across the grain

For leftovers:

• Discard any turkey sitting out more than 2 hours 
• Store tightly wrapped meat and carcass separately within 2 hours
• Use leftover pieces within 3-4 days
• Reheat fully to 165°F before consuming again

Get creative with your Butterball leftovers! Beyond another turkey sandwich, try:

• Turkey chilli
• Hearty turkey soup
• Turkey tetrazzini or casserole
• Turkey pot pie

You can continue enjoying tender Butterball meat for days after your initial feast with proper safety steps!

Now that you know it all – from thawing right through leftovers – pull up a chair and imagine that first delicious, juicy bite. Here’s to celebrating with perfectly cooked Butterball turkey!

Butterball Turkey Cooking Time Questions Answered

After covering all the critical guidelines around thawing, cooking times, doneness, serving and leftovers, you may still have some remaining turkey day questions. Below, we answer some of the most frequently asked Butterball FAQs.

Does bringing make the turkey cook faster?

Brining adds moisture and flavour but does not significantly impact cook times. Still, follow standard time guidelines for the weight of your bird.

My turkey is done early – can I let it rest for 1-2 hours?

It’s best to begin carving once the turkey reaches the minimum internal temperature and rest for only 15-20 minutes. Holding it hot for longer leads to drying.

Do I need to cook the turkey differently if not eating it right away?

For food safety, Turkey and leftovers should be eaten within 3-4 days. You still cook it the same even if you do not serve it immediately. Just follow the proper leftover storage protocol.

Does basting add cook time?

Properly basting every 30 minutes only requires opening the oven briefly using the method described. It needs to lengthen the total cooking time meaningfully.

Do you have a cooking question yet to be covered here? Reach out in the comments!

Conclusion: Butterball Turkey Cooking Time

From refrigerated thawing to hot gravy over leftover slices, you now have all the knowledge needed to perfectly Butterball turkey year after year. Planning ahead and calculating the Butterball Turkey Cooking Time allows for a seamless holiday meal preparation.

Here’s wishing everyone a safe and delicious holiday feast centred around your expertly prepared golden brown Butterball turkey. Just follow the guidance above and get ready to wow your guests!