Leave-in probe thermometer
Track a large roast without repeatedly opening the oven or smoker.
Affiliate link placeholderInteractive cooking planner
Holiday roast planner.
Tell it what you are cooking, how big it is, and when you want to eat. You will get a complete schedule working backward from dinner.
Put it in the oven at
11:30 AMThursday, Nov 263–4 hrEstimated cook time
325°FOven temperature
165°FPull target
It could be ready as early as 2:30 PM. Start checking early so the roast, not the clock, decides.
- 10:45 AM
Prep
Pat it dry, season it, and set it on a rack in a shallow roasting pan.
- 11:00 AM
Preheat the oven to 325°F
Give it enough time to hold a steady temperature.
- 11:30 AM
Put it in the oven
Cook at 325°F. Place a probe in the thickest part if you have a leave-in thermometer.
- 1:45 PM
Start checking the temperature
Check every 20 to 30 minutes. The pull target is 165°F.
- 3:15 PM
Aim to finish by now: pull at 165°F
Rest 20 to 30 minutes, loosely tented with foil.
- 3:45 PM
Carve
Slice against the grain and move it to the platter.
- 4:00 PM
Dinner
Carve, serve, and enjoy.
Good to know
- Check the thickest part of the breast and the innermost thigh and wing. All three need to reach 165°F.
- If the skin is browning too fast, loosely tent the breast with foil.
Food safety: USDA minimum: 165°F in the thickest part of the breast and the innermost thigh and wing. Stuffing must also reach 165°F.
Safety first
Use the clock to plan. Use a thermometer to decide.
Cooking times are estimates. Oven accuracy, meat shape, starting temperature, cookware, weather, and smoker behavior can all change the finish time.
The planner uses current federal food-safety recommendations for turkey, beef, pork, and ham. The minimum temperatures and rest times you need are shown directly in the result, so you can stay on this page while you cook.
For the best result, start checking early and use the timing as a planning window. The food thermometer is the final authority.
Recommended tools for this guide
The equipment that makes the plan easier.
These are product categories Justin can connect to his preferred tools later. No affiliate URLs have been added yet.
Instant-read thermometer
Confirm temperatures in more than one spot before the roast comes off the heat.
Affiliate link placeholderHeavy roasting pan with rack
Support a large bird or roast while keeping hot air moving around it.
Affiliate link placeholderCarving knife and board
Rest, carve, and serve the roast cleanly without losing the juices.
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