How Long to Cook a Turkey, in One Easy Chart

By Real Simple
November 25, 2014

No Holiday guest is more important than the turkey. But you might have a late arrival on your hands if you don’t get it in the oven on time. Planning a 3 p.m. meal? You’ll need to have a 20-pound bird (sans stuffing) cooking by around 10:30 a.m. Don’t stress about the math—just follow our easy chart, with recommendations from the USDA.

Graphic by Katie Field

Note: For safety reasons, the USDA recommends cooking stuffing outside of the turkey to guarantee uniform doneness. If you do choose to stuff it, check the temp of the center of the stuffing to make sure it, too, reaches the safe 165 degrees F (otherwise bacteria could contaminate your cooked turkey). Keep wet stuffing ingredients refrigerated ahead of time, and separate from dry ingredients until just before mixing, stuffing loosely and cooking. Sticking with a casserole dish? You should still cook the stuffing to 165 degrees F.

QUIZ: Should You Eat This or That?
<strong>Which is better for you: Half cup of ice cream or 3 scoops of sorbet?</strong>
Which is better for you: Half cup of ice cream or 3 scoops of sorbet?
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<strong><b>Answer: A half cup of ice cream</b></strong> If you eat what you’re craving, you’re more likely to feel satisfied and eat less. And scoop for scoop sorbet contains twice the sugar with none of the filling dairy protein and fat.
Answer: A half cup of ice cream If you eat what you’re craving, you’re more likely to feel satisfied and eat less. And scoop for scoop sorbet contains twice the sugar with none of the filling dairy protein and fat.
Getty Images (5); Gif by Mia Tramz for TIME
<strong>Which is better for you: Real butter or spray on fake butter?</strong>
Which is better for you: Real butter or spray on fake butter?
Getty Images; Tara Johnson for TIME
<strong><b>Answer: Butter</b></strong> Serving size for spray butters (even low-calorie ones) are around a 1/3 second spray. What on earth does that mean? You're better off using a small amount of real butter as opposed to guessing how much you're using of the mystery melange of up to 20 ingredients.
Answer: Butter Serving size for spray butters (even low-calorie ones) are around a 1/3 second spray. What on earth does that mean? You're better off using a small amount of real butter as opposed to guessing how much you're using of the mystery melange of up to 20 ingredients.
Getty Images (1); Gif by Mia Tramz for TIME
<strong>Which is better for you: A turkey burger or a sirloin burger?</strong>
Which is better for you: A turkey burger or a sirloin burger?
Getty Images (2)
<strong><b>Answer: Sirloin burger</b></strong> Restaurant turkey burgers are often made with dark meat and the skin, so they’re not necessarily better for you (and for the record, they aren't low-fat). You can get a sirloin burger that’s 95% lean meat and gives you 20 g of protein. Just be careful with the toppings.
Answer: Sirloin burger Restaurant turkey burgers are often made with dark meat and the skin, so they’re not necessarily better for you (and for the record, they aren't low-fat). You can get a sirloin burger that’s 95% lean meat and gives you 20 g of protein. Just be careful with the toppings.
Getty Images (1); Gif by Mia Tramz for TIME
<strong>Which is better for you: Almonds or pretzels?</strong>
Which is better for you: Almonds or pretzels?
Getty Images (2)
<strong><b>Answer: Almonds</b></strong> Almonds are high in protein, fiber and fat and will keep you feeling fuller longer. Give high-sodium pretzels about an hour and you'll feel hungry again thanks to the high-carb no-fat or protein content.
Answer: Almonds Almonds are high in protein, fiber and fat and will keep you feeling fuller longer. Give high-sodium pretzels about an hour and you'll feel hungry again thanks to the high-carb no-fat or protein content.
Getty Images (1); Gif by Mia Tramz for TIME
<strong>Which is better for you: Special K or eggs?</strong>
Which is better for you: Special K or eggs?
AP; Getty Images
<strong><b>Answer: Eggs</b></strong> In the morning, you want a meal that will fill you up. Eggs offer protein and fat for satiety, but Special K cereal really only offers carbs and, well, air. If you want carbs to kick off the day, you're better off pairing eggs with a slice of 100% whole grain toast.
Answer: Eggs In the morning, you want a meal that will fill you up. Eggs offer protein and fat for satiety, but Special K cereal really only offers carbs and, well, air. If you want carbs to kick off the day, you're better off pairing eggs with a slice of 100% whole grain toast.
Getty Images (1); Gif by Mia Tramz for TIME
<strong><b>Which is better for you: Fat free salad dressing or regular salad dressing?</strong>
Which is better for you: Fat free salad dressing or regular salad dressing?
Tara Johnson for TIME
<strong><b>Answer: Regular salad dressing</b></strong>To absorb fat soluble vitamins like Vitamins E and K in vegetables you need to consume them with a fat to aid nutrient absorption. Fat-free dressing, meanwhile, is low-calorie but gets its flavor from added sugar and salt.
Answer: Regular salad dressingTo absorb fat soluble vitamins like Vitamins E and K in vegetables you need to consume them with a fat to aid nutrient absorption. Fat-free dressing, meanwhile, is low-calorie but gets its flavor from added sugar and salt.
Tara Johnson for TIME (5); Gif by Mia Tramz for TIME
<strong>Which is better for you: A low fat cookie or dark chocolate?</strong>
Which is better for you: A low fat cookie or dark chocolate?
Getty Images (2)
<strong><b>Answer: Dark chocolate</b> </strong> “People believe fat free is calorie free,” says Keri Gans, a registered dietitian in New York City. “Go for the real thing.” Fat free cookies tend to be high in carbs, sugar and fake sugar. Try a nice piece of antioxidant-rich dark chocolate instead.
Answer: Dark chocolate “People believe fat free is calorie free,” says Keri Gans, a registered dietitian in New York City. “Go for the real thing.” Fat free cookies tend to be high in carbs, sugar and fake sugar. Try a nice piece of antioxidant-rich dark chocolate instead.
Getty Images (2); Gif by Mia Tramz for TIME
<strong><b>Which is better for you: Low fat Greek yogurt or 100 calorie Yoplait yogurt?</strong>
Which is better for you: Low fat Greek yogurt or 100 calorie Yoplait yogurt?
Tara Johnson for TIME
<strong><b>Answer: 2% Greek Yogurt</b></strong>A little fat is good in the morning to keep you full—plus it has upwards of 17g of protein per container. Fat-free "fruit" yogurt is high in sugar—7 to 10 g per serving—and lower in protein.
Answer: 2% Greek YogurtA little fat is good in the morning to keep you full—plus it has upwards of 17g of protein per container. Fat-free "fruit" yogurt is high in sugar—7 to 10 g per serving—and lower in protein.
Tara Johnson for TIME (2); Gif by Mia Tramz for TIME
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For more turkey and stuffing safety and cooking tips, check out the USDA’s site, and find a complete Thanksgiving dinner menu here.

This article originally appeared on RealSimple.com.

Contact us at editors@time.com.

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