Holidays & Entertaining Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes Roast Turkey, 8-10 Pounds 3.9 (139) 3 Reviews Thanksgiving is synonymous with turkey, and this simple recipe is the best way to cook a turkey. By BHG Test Kitchen BHG Test Kitchen The Better Homes & Gardens Test Kitchen has been in continuous operation for nearly 100 years, developing and testing practical, reliable recipes that readers can enjoy at home. The Test Kitchen team includes culinary specialists, food stylists, registered and licensed nutritionists, and other experts with Bachelor of Science degrees in food science, food and nutrition, or culinary arts. Together, the team tests more than 2,500 recipes, produces more than 2,500 food images, and creates more than 1,000 food videos each year in the state-of-the-art test kitchen. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on February 3, 2023 Print Rate It Share Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Jason Donnelly Prep Time: 15 mins Roast Time: 2 hrs 45 mins Stand Time: 15 mins Total Time: 3 hrs 15 mins Servings: 8 Jump to Nutrition Facts Jump to recipe Of course roast turkey is a Thanksgiving essential. It's always the visual star of the table, surrounded by your favorite side dishes. But a smaller turkey, like an 8- to 10-pound turkey is a standout entrée for many occasions. Though the recipe takes a while to come together, most of that time is hands-off roasting time, leaving you free to whip up appetizers, side dishes, or desserts for a dinner party, a big family Sunday dinner, or any day you'll be home for a few hours to keep an eye on the turkey as it roasts. If you know an 8 to 10-pound turkey is the size you need for your gathering, the next step is determining how long to cook a 10 lb. turkey. (Determine how much turkey you need for your group, if you're unsure.) Whether your bird is stuffed or unstuffed, we've got the cooking times for your turkey. As a general rule, stuffed birds need 15 to 45 minutes more roasting time than unstuffed ones. Since you're working with a smaller bird, your 10 lb. turkey should be on the lower range of that extra time, if added a stuffing inside. Don't forget to let it stand before carving to let the juices redistribute for the most tender results. Cooking Turkey 101: How to Prep and Cook a Bird for Thanksgiving Ingredients 1 (8-10 pound) turkey Salt (optional) Stuffing (optional) Cooking oil Directions Pat turkey dry on the inside and out with paper towels. If desired, season body cavity with salt. Spoon your desired stuffing recipe (if using) loosely into the cavity. Skewer neck skin of turkey to back. Tuck the ends of the drumsticks under the band of skin across the tail. If there is no band of skin, tie the drumsticks securely to the tail using 100%-cotton kitchen string. Twist wing tips under the back. Place turkey, breast side up, on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Brush with oil. If desired, insert an oven-going meat thermometer into the center of an inside thigh muscle. (The thermometer should not touch bone.) Cover turkey loosely with foil, leaving air space between the bird and the foil. Lightly press foil at the ends of the drumsticks and neck to enclose the turkey. Roast in a 325°F oven for 2-1/4 hours. Remove foil; cut band of skin or string between drumsticks so thighs cook evenly. Continue roasting for 30 to 45 minutes more (1 to 1-1/4 hours if stuffed) uncovered, or until the thermometer registers at least 175°F; and the center of the stuffing (if using) is 165°F. (The juices should run clear and drumsticks should move easily in their sockets.) This is the Safe Internal Temperature for Turkey Remove turkey from oven. Cover with foil; let stand for 15 to 20 minutes before carving. Transfer turkey to a cutting board. Carve the turkey. Rate it Print Nutrition Facts (per serving) 1087 Calories 44g Fat 0g Carbs 162g Protein Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label Nutrition Facts Servings Per Recipe 8 Calories 1087.1 % Daily Value * Total Fat 43.7g 56% Saturated Fat 12.3g 62% Cholesterol 618mg 206% Sodium 584mg 25% Total Carbohydrate 0.3g 0% Dietary Fiber 0g 0% Total Sugars 0g Protein 161.9g Vitamin D 2.3mcg 11% Vitamin C 0mg 0% Calcium 79.4mg 6% Iron 6.2mg 34% Potassium 1355.1mg 29% Fatty acids, total trans 0.6g Vitamin D 85IU Alanine 8.9g Arginine 9.2g Ash 6.7g Aspartic acid 12.7g Caffeine 0mg Carotene, alpha 0mcg Choline, total 495.5mg Copper, Cu 0.5mg Cystine 1.5g Energy 4544kJ Folate, total 51mcg Glutamic acid 21.5g Glycine 8.1g Histidine 4.2g Isoleucine 4.5g Leucine 10.9g Lysine 12.9g Methionine 4.1g Magnesium, Mg 170.1mg Manganese, Mn 0.1mg Niacin 54.3mg Phosphorus, P 1264.4mg Pantothenic acid 5.4mg Phenylalanine 5.1g Proline 9.3g Retinol 68mcg Selenium, Se 169mcg Serine 6.3g Theobromine 0mg Threonine 5.7g Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) 0.8mg Tryptophan 1.6g Tyrosine 4.6g Valine 5.1g Vitamin A, IU 221.1IU Vitamin A, RAE 68mcg Vitamin B-12 5.8mcg Vitamin B-6 3.5mg Vitamin K (phylloquinone) 0mcg Water 360.2g Zinc, Zn 14.1mg *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.