Roasting multiple turkeys (cooking time estimation)
We tend to aim for large Thanksgiving gatherings, and thus tend to roast the largest turkey we can find. Last year, we ended up roasting a couple extra turkey legs so we had enough meat.
This year, at the suggestion of a local butcher, I'm considering roasting two smaller birds. He suggested smaller birds are younger, and would have more tender meat. Depending on exact sizes, I could possibly get both birds in a large roasting pan, or two smaller roasting pans into one oven.
This leaves me with an odd question, though: How do I estimate the cooking time for multiple birds? Do they cook like their combined weight, or more like their individual weights?
Best Answer
This looks like an excellent answer to almost exactly the same question, found here.
Tuxman Nov. 26, 2013 11:01 am
I am trying to get a clear answer on cooking 2-15 lbs birds in different pans/same oven. what would the cooking time, same 20 min per lb on 325 degrees? for convection oven?
dae Nov. 27, 2013 12:43 pm
@Tuxman: Each bird cooks separately. So it is like cooking one 15 lb bird. Start at same time. If one is bigger, it will take longer than the other. Allow max space between them. Put a digital probe deep in the thigh of the smaller one (avoid contact with bone), and take out when it gets to 165 take it out. Put probe in larger one, into thigh, take out when it gets to 165.
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Does it take longer to cook two turkeys at the same time?
Cooking two turkeys of about the same weight does not double the roasting time. Cooking time is determined by the weight of one bird. Just make sure there is sufficient oven space for proper heat circulation. All poultry should reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 \xb0F as measured with a food thermometer.Is it 15 or 20 minutes per pound for turkey?
The general rule is 15 to 20 minutes per pound of turkey when cooking an unstuffed turkey. Since roasting a stuffed turkey is no longer considered food-safe (not to mention doing so dries out the turkey meat) it's best to stick to this method and bake one of these crowd-pleasing stuffing recipes in a separate dish.How do you calculate cooking time for a turkey?
Calculate turkey cooking time and temperature. The simplest way to figure out turkey roasting times is to calculate 13 minutes per pound at 350\xb0F for an unstuffed turkey (that's about 3 hours for a 12- to 14-lb. turkey), or 15 minutes per pound for a stuffed turkey.How long do I cook two turkeys?
Rub the outside of each turkey with the soft butter, then place in a large roasting pan. Tie the ends of the turkey legs together with trussing string. Transfer the turkeys to the oven and roast until a meat thermometer reads 160\xb0F, about 2 1/2 hours.Roasting a Turkey - Amounts, Times \u0026 Temperature
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