First, the main event. A 20-pound unstuffed turkey generally needs about 4 to 4.5 hours in a 325°F oven. That’s for a perfectly roasted, golden-brown bird.
But wait—you’re going stuffed, aren’t you? Brave soul. Add 30 to 45 minutes to that time. So you’re looking at roughly 4.5 to 5 hours total. Yes, that’s basically a full work shift. Grab a chair.
Why the Stuffed Hang-Up?
Stuffing acts like a dense, wet sponge. It cools the bird down from the inside. The turkey has to cook the stuffing to a safe 165°F, not just the meat. It’s a team effort, and the stuffing is the lazy teammate.
This is why food safety nerds (and I say that lovingly) recommend cooking stuffing outside the bird. But you? You want tradition. I get it. Just know you’re signing up for a longer shift.
