To cook a 25-pound turkey in the oven, preheat the oven, prepare the turkey, and place it in the oven. Cover the turkey near the end of the roasting process to prevent overbrowning. Alternatively, use a large turkey deep fryer to deep fry the bird.
A 25-pound unstuffed turkey should roast for around 4.5 to 5 hours, while a stuffed bird requires around 5.5 to 6 hours and 15 minutes. Follow the steps below to make tender, juicy turkey.
- Preheat the oven and prepare the bird
- Insert thermometer and put bird in oven
- Cover with foil
- Remove turkey from the oven
Preheat the oven to 325 F, pat the turkey dry with paper towels and drain its juices. Position it with its breast side up on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Choose a pan that is 2 to 2.5 inches in depth.
Use an oven-safe meat thermometer to keep an eye on doneness. Insert the thermometer into the lower part of the turkey's thigh, being careful not to touch the bone. Place the turkey into the oven. Remember to reposition the thermometer into the center of the stuffing for stuffed birds once the temperature reads 180 F or 165 F in the breast or stuffing.
When the turkey is around 2/3 done, cover the breast and drumsticks' tops loosely using a sheet of aluminum foil.
Once the thermometer reads the appropriate temperature, remove the turkey from the oven. Place it on a platter, and allow it to rest for 15 minutes prior to serving.
Alternatively, use a turkey deep fryer that is large enough to accommodate a 25-pound turkey to deep fry the bird. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the fryer used.
