How long to cook a 7kg turkey
A 7kg (15.4lb) whole turkey needs about
4 hours 10 min
Then rest it for at least 30 minutes. Oven at 220°C (425°F, gas mark 7) for the first hour, then 190°C (375°F, gas mark 5) for the rest of the time.
That's 15 minutes per 450g, plus 15 minutes, rounded up to the next 5 minutes. Weigh your bird and use the roast timer for its exact weight and to work out when it goes in.
For a fan oven, set it 10 to 20°C lower. Cooking times stay the same.
How to tell it's done
Cook until it reaches 75°C in the thickest part of the thigh, and in the centre of any stuffing (safefood).
Without a thermometer: No pink meat, the juices run clear and it's piping hot all the way through. (safefood)
Turkey must be cooked all the way through. The FSA's safe core temperature and time combinations are 70°C for 2 minutes, 75°C for 30 seconds or 80°C for 6 seconds. (Food Standards Agency)
Meat keeps cooking while it rests. Take it out about 5 to 10°C below the target and let the rest finish it. (Q Guild)
US guidance: USDA's safe minimum is 165°F (74°C) (FoodSafety.gov (USDA)).
Other sizes
- 3kg: 1 hour 55 min
- 4kg: 2 hours 30 min
- 5kg: 3 hours 5 min
- 6kg: 3 hours 35 min
- 8kg: 4 hours 45 min
- 9kg: 5 hours 15 min
- 10kg: 5 hours 50 min
Times from Q Guild, checked 2026-10-24.