If the packaging gives no cooking instructions, the Food Standards Agency says to cook a turkey in an oven preheated to 180C (160C fan, 350F or Gas Mark 4), allowing 45 minutes per kg plus 20 minutes under 4.5kg, 40 minutes per kg between 4.5kg and 6.5kg, and 35 minutes per kg over 6.5kg. This page applies that rule to an unstuffed whole turkey and also works out how long it needs to defrost in the fridge. The guidance is published on GOV.UK, applies to England, Northern Ireland and Wales, and was last updated on 25 June 2026.
Turkey cooking and defrost timer
How long to cook a turkey per kg
The cooking time depends on which of three weight bands your turkey falls into. Under 4.5kg, allow 45 minutes per kg plus 20 minutes. Between 4.5kg and 6.5kg, allow 40 minutes per kg. Over 6.5kg, allow 35 minutes per kg.
All three bands assume an oven preheated to 180C, which is 160C in a fan oven, 350F or Gas Mark 4. The Food Standards Agency gives this rule for when the retailer's packaging has no cooking instructions. If the label gives a time, follow the label.
Some worked examples from the table below show how the bands play out. A 3kg turkey takes 2 hr 35 min. A 6kg turkey, in the middle band, takes 4 hr 00 min. A 9kg turkey takes 5 hr 15 min.
Turkey Cooking Times by Weight
Oven preheated to 180C (160C fan, 350F or Gas Mark 4), unstuffed whole turkey, Food Standards Agency rule.
| Weight (kg) | Weight (lb) | Cooking time | Fridge defrost (hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2kg | 4.4lb | 1 hr 50 min | 20 to 24 |
| 2.5kg | 5.5lb | 2 hr 12 min | 25 to 30 |
| 3kg | 6.6lb | 2 hr 35 min | 30 to 36 |
| 3.5kg | 7.7lb | 2 hr 58 min | 35 to 42 |
| 4kg | 8.8lb | 3 hr 20 min | 40 to 48 |
| 4.5kg | 9.9lb | 3 hr 00 min | 45 to 54 |
| 5kg | 11lb | 3 hr 20 min | 50 to 60 |
| 5.5kg | 12.1lb | 3 hr 40 min | 55 to 66 |
| 6kg | 13.2lb | 4 hr 00 min | 60 to 72 |
| 6.5kg | 14.3lb | 4 hr 20 min | 65 to 78 |
| 7kg | 15.4lb | 4 hr 05 min | 70 to 84 |
| 7.5kg | 16.5lb | 4 hr 22 min | 75 to 90 |
| 8kg | 17.6lb | 4 hr 40 min | 80 to 96 |
| 8.5kg | 18.7lb | 4 hr 58 min | 85 to 102 |
| 9kg | 19.8lb | 5 hr 15 min | 90 to 108 |
| 9.5kg | 20.9lb | 5 hr 32 min | 95 to 114 |
| 10kg | 22lb | 5 hr 50 min | 100 to 120 |
Safe Core Temperatures for Turkey
Measured with a probe in the thickest part of the meat, as listed by the Food Standards Agency.
| Core temperature | Hold for at least |
|---|---|
| 60C | 45 minutes |
| 65C | 10 minutes |
| 70C | 2 minutes |
| 75C | 30 seconds |
| 80C | 6 seconds |
Using the calculator with kg, lb and a serving time
Type in the weight shown on the label and pick kg or lb. A 5kg turkey is 11.0lb, and a 10kg turkey is 22.0lb, so a bird labelled in pounds gives the same answer as its metric weight.
Add the time you plan to serve and the calculator counts back from it. It shows the total cooking time and the time the turkey should go into the preheated oven.
It also gives a fridge defrosting time for a frozen bird. That figure uses the official range of around 10 to 12 hours per kg, so the result is shown as a range rather than a single number.
Why a heavier turkey can show a shorter time
The rate per kg drops at 4.5kg and again above 6.5kg, so the times do not rise evenly with weight. A 4kg turkey takes 3 hr 20 min under the first band, while a 4.5kg turkey takes 3 hr 00 min under the second.
The same step appears at the top of the middle band. A 6.5kg turkey works out at 4 hr 20 min, and a 7kg turkey at 4 hr 05 min.
These figures follow directly from the official rates per kg. The calculator above applies whichever band your exact weight falls into.
How long to defrost a frozen turkey
Defrost a frozen turkey in the fridge, on the bottom shelf, and allow around 10 to 12 hours per kg if there are no defrosting instructions. The Food Standards Agency says not to defrost it at room temperature.
A whole turkey can take between 3 and 5 days to defrost properly, all the way to the middle, depending on size. A typical large turkey weighing 6-7kg could take as much as 4 days to fully defrost in the fridge.
Using the rate per kg, a 5kg turkey needs 50 to 60 hours in the fridge and an 8kg turkey needs 80 to 96 hours. Plan this in advance, because a turkey that is not fully defrosted may cook unevenly and harmful bacteria can survive the cooking process.
Keep the turkey in a covered container big enough to catch any drips. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after handling any part of the raw bird.
How to check your turkey is cooked
A cooked turkey is steaming hot all the way through, with no pink meat and juices that run clear. Cut into the thickest part to check, which in a whole bird is the area between the leg and the breast.
With a temperature probe, test the thickest part of the meat. It needs to reach one of these combinations: 60C for 45 minutes, 65C for 10 minutes, 70C for 2 minutes, 75C for 30 seconds or 80C for 6 seconds. The table below sets these out.
The same checks apply to any other bird you are preparing for Christmas, not just turkey.
Stuffing, washing and other birds
The official cooking times are based on a turkey that is not stuffed. Cook the stuffing in a separate roasting tin, not inside the bird, because a stuffed turkey will take longer to cook and may not cook thoroughly if it has not reached the correct temperature throughout.
Do not wash raw turkey before cooking. Washing raw meat spreads germs onto your hands, clothes, utensils and worktops.
Other birds use different rates, so the turkey rule does not apply to them. Goose and duck go into an oven preheated to 200C (180C fan, 400F or Gas Mark 6), with 35 minutes per kg for goose and 45 minutes per kg for duck.
Chicken is cooked at 180C (160C fan, 350F or Gas Mark 4) for 45 minutes per kg plus 20 minutes. That is the same rate as a turkey under 4.5kg.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a 5kg turkey take to cook? Using the Food Standards Agency rule, a 5kg unstuffed turkey takes 3 hr 20 min in an oven preheated to 180C (160C fan, 350F or Gas Mark 4). That is 40 minutes per kg, the rate for a turkey between 4.5kg and 6.5kg.
Should I follow the packaging or this calculator? Check the retailer's instructions on the packaging first. The rule used here is the official one for when there are no cooking instructions on the pack.
How long does a turkey take to defrost in the fridge? Allow around 10 to 12 hours per kg in the fridge. A typical large turkey weighing 6-7kg could take as much as 4 days to fully defrost.
What temperature should the inside of a turkey reach? The thickest part of the meat needs to reach one of these combinations: 60C for 45 minutes, 65C for 10 minutes, 70C for 2 minutes, 75C for 30 seconds or 80C for 6 seconds. In a whole bird the thickest part is the area between the leg and the breast.
Can I cook the stuffing inside the turkey? The Food Standards Agency advises cooking the stuffing in a separate roasting tin, not inside the turkey. Its cooking guidelines are based on a bird that is not stuffed, and a stuffed turkey will take longer to cook and may not cook thoroughly.
Related Calculators
Oven Temperature Converter | Cups To Grams | Kilograms To Pounds Calculator | Days Until Christmas
Official Sources
Figures are based on 2026/27 published UK government rates. This guide is general information only and not financial advice. Last checked September 2026.
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