A 5 kg turkey takes about 3 hours 20 minutes to roast at 180°C (160°C fan, Gas Mark 4), then 30 minutes' rest. If it's frozen, give it 3 days to defrost in the fridge.
| 5 kg turkey | |
|---|---|
| Roasting time | 3h 20m at 180°C (160°C fan, Gas Mark 4) |
| Start checking the temperature | after 3h |
| Resting time | 30 minutes, loosely covered with foil |
| Defrost in the fridge | 50–60 hours (allow 3 days) |
| For Christmas Day, move it to the fridge by | Tuesday 22 December |
| Feeds | about 10–11 people, or 7 with leftovers |
| Cooked when | 70°C for 2 minutes in the thickest part, between the breast and thigh |
Why 3h 20m?
The Food Standards Agency's guide for a turkey of this size is 40 minutes per kg (4.5 to 6.5 kg) in an oven preheated to 180°C (160°C fan, Gas Mark 4). For 5 kg that's 3 hours 20 minutes. These times are for an unstuffed bird: cook the stuffing in a separate tin.
Ovens vary, so treat the time as your plan and the thermometer as your proof. Start checking about 20 minutes early.
What time should a 5 kg turkey go in?
Work back from when you want to eat: subtract the roasting time and the 30-minute rest.
| Dinner at | Turkey in the oven | Start checking the temperature | Out to rest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12:00 | 08:10 | 11:10 | 11:30 |
| 13:00 | 09:10 | 12:10 | 12:30 |
| 14:00 | 10:10 | 13:10 | 13:30 |
| 15:00 | 11:10 | 14:10 | 14:30 |
Take the turkey out of the fridge about 30 minutes before it goes in, and preheat the oven.
Defrosting a 5 kg turkey
Defrost it in the fridge, in a covered container on the bottom shelf, allowing 10–12 hours per kg. For 5 kg that's 50–60 hours, so give it 3 days. For Christmas Day, move it from the freezer to the fridge by Tuesday 22 December. Check there are no ice crystals in the cavity before you cook it.
Is your turkey a bit bigger or smaller?
| Weight | Roasting time at 180°C |
|---|---|
| 4 kg | 3h 20m |
| 4.5 kg | 3h |
| 5 kg | 3h 20m |
| 5.5 kg | 3h 40m |
| 6 kg | 4h |
The Food Standards Agency uses three bands, so a turkey just over 4.5 kg or 6.5 kg can come out with a shorter time than a slightly lighter one. Bigger birds cook more efficiently per kg. Use the thermometer either way, or type your exact weight into the turkey calculator.
How many people does a 5 kg turkey feed?
Allow about 450–500 g of whole turkey per person, or about 700 g if you want leftovers. A 5 kg bird feeds about 10–11 people, or 7 with leftovers for Boxing Day.
How to tell it's cooked
Push a meat thermometer into the thickest part, between the breast and the thigh. The Food Standards Agency gives 70°C for 2 minutes (or 75°C for 30 seconds). There should be no pink meat and the juices should run clear.
In Australia?
Australian guidance is about 40–45 minutes per kg at 180°C (160°C fan-forced), which is 3h 20m to 3h 45m for 5 kg, cooked to 75°C. See Christmas turkey times for Australia.
Other sizes: 4 kg · 5 kg · 6 kg · 7 kg · full chart per kg
FAQs
How long does a 5 kg turkey take to cook?
About 3 hours 20 minutes at 180°C (160°C fan, Gas Mark 4), then 30 minutes' rest. Start checking the temperature after 3h.
What time should a 5 kg turkey go in for a 2pm dinner?
At 10:10: 3 hours 20 minutes of roasting plus 30 minutes' rest.
How long does a 5 kg turkey take to defrost?
50–60 hours in the fridge, so allow 3 days. For Christmas Day, move it to the fridge by Tuesday 22 December.
How many people will a 5 kg turkey feed?
About 10–11 people, or 7 if you want leftovers.
Plan it in minutes
The turkey is one dish of many. Type your 5 kg turkey and dinner time into the Christmas Dinner Planner UK and every dish gets a clock time, from the potatoes to the pudding, with an oven plan so nothing clashes.
See the Christmas Dinner Planner UK →
