Seasonal Hub
🦃 Thanksgiving Turkey Planner
Enter when dinner is served. We'll tell you exactly when to thaw, preheat, put the bird in, pull it out, rest, and carve. No more turkey math.
Temp
Cooking times are estimates. Always verify doneness with a meat thermometer and refer to USDA food safety guidelines.
Plan backwards
The Thanksgiving timeline
The biggest Thanksgiving stress is timing. Here's the sequence RoastClock calculates for you:
- 1 Thaw deadline
Move from freezer to fridge. ~5.5 hours per pound.
- 2 Preheat oven
15 minutes before putting the bird in.
- 3 Into the oven
The main cook. ~15 min/lb unstuffed at 350°F.
- 4 Pull from oven
When internal temp hits pull temp (~160°F for turkey). Carryover cooking during rest brings it to 165°F.
- 5 Rest for 30 minutes
Tent loosely with foil. Juices redistribute. Internal temp reaches safe 165°F.
- 6 Carve and serve
Dinner is on time. No stress. No overcooked bird.
Common questions
Thanksgiving turkey FAQ
How long does it take to cook a Thanksgiving turkey?
A whole unstuffed turkey takes approximately 15 minutes per pound at 350°F (180°C). A 12-lb turkey takes about 3 hours, a 16-lb turkey about 4 hours. Stuffed turkeys need about 15% longer. Use the turkey calculator for exact times.
What time should I put the turkey in the oven?
Work backwards from your serve time. Subtract carving time (10 min), rest time (30 min), cooking time, and 15 minutes for preheating. For a 12-lb turkey serving at 3:00 PM, you'd put it in around 11:15 AM. The RoastClock planner calculates this for you exactly.
When should I start thawing my turkey?
Allow 5.5 hours per pound (12 hours per kg) in the refrigerator. A 12-lb turkey needs about 2-3 days to thaw. A 20-lb turkey needs 4-5 days. The RoastClock planner tells you the exact date to move it to the fridge.
Should I brine my turkey?
Brining adds moisture and flavor. A wet brine takes 12-24 hours in the refrigerator. Plan to brine the day before cooking. RoastClock currently focuses on the cooking timeline — brine time should be added to your preparation schedule.
Should I spatchcock my turkey?
Spatchcocking (removing the backbone and flattening) reduces cooking time by about 35%, helps it cook more evenly, and makes carving easier. A 12-lb spatchcocked turkey can cook in under 2 hours. Select the spatchcock option in the turkey calculator.