The two numbers that decide your whole Christmas Day are how long the turkey takes to defrost and how long it takes to roast. Here they are for a whole turkey in kilograms.
Turkey defrost and roasting times per kg
| Turkey weight | Defrost in the fridge | Roasting time at 190°C (170°C fan) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 kg | 30–36 hours (about 2 days) | 2h 10m |
| 4 kg | 40–48 hours (about 2 days) | 2h 50m |
| 5 kg | 50–60 hours (about 3 days) | 3h 10m |
| 6 kg | 60–72 hours (about 3 days) | 3h 30m |
| 7 kg | 70–84 hours (about 4 days) | 3h 50m |
| 8 kg | 80–96 hours (about 4 days) | 4h 10m |
| 9 kg | 90–108 hours (about 5 days) | 4h 30m |
Roasting rule used widely in the UK: 20 minutes per kg, plus 70 minutes for a turkey under 4 kg or plus 90 minutes for 4 kg and over, at 190°C (170°C fan, Gas Mark 5). Defrost in the fridge, allowing 10–12 hours per kg (Food Standards Agency).
How to tell it's cooked
Ovens vary, so the clock is a plan, not proof. The Food Standards Agency advises the thickest part of the bird (between the breast and the thigh) should reach 70°C for 2 minutes. The juices should run clear and there should be no pink meat. A cheap meat thermometer takes the guesswork out.
Don't forget resting time
Rest the turkey for about 30 minutes, loosely covered with foil, before carving. That's also your window to crisp the roast potatoes and make the gravy.
Work backwards from dinner time
If you want to eat at 2:00 pm with a 5.5 kg turkey: roasting takes 3 hours 20 minutes and resting 30 minutes, so the turkey goes in at 10:10 am. Defrosting takes up to 66 hours, so move it to the fridge by 22 December.
Plan it in minutes
Type your turkey's weight and dinner time, and the Christmas Dinner Planner UK works out the defrost day, oven time and a clock time for every dish, from pigs in blankets to the pudding.
See the Christmas Dinner Planner UK →