Free to Use

Cooking Time Calculator

Get accurate roasting times, internal temperatures, and rest times for perfectly cooked turkey, chicken, beef, pork, lamb, and fish. Never overcook or undercook meat again.

Interactive Cooking Time Calculator

lbs

How to Use This Cooking Time Calculator

Our cooking time calculator takes the guesswork out of roasting meat. Simply follow these steps for perfectly cooked meat every time:

1️⃣ Select Your Meat

Choose from turkey (unstuffed or stuffed), chicken (whole or pieces), beef (roast or steak), pork (roast or chops), lamb, or fish. Each meat type has specific cooking guidelines.

2️⃣ Enter the Weight

Input the weight of your meat and toggle between pounds (lbs) and kilograms (kg). The calculator automatically adjusts for your chosen unit.

3️⃣ Select Doneness

Choose how you like your meat cooked — Rare, Medium, or Well Done. Doneness options automatically adjust based on the meat type selected. (Some meats default to specific doneness levels for safety.)

4️⃣ Get Your Results

Click "Calculate Cooking Time" and receive the total cooking time, recommended rest time, internal target temperature, and ideal oven temperature. Use a meat thermometer for best results.

Meat Cooking Reference Guide

Use this quick reference for common meat roasting times and internal temperatures. Always verify doneness with a reliable meat thermometer.

🦃 Turkey

Unstuffed: 13 min/lb at 350°F

Stuffed: 15 min/lb at 350°F

Internal Temp: 165°F (74°C)

Rest: 20-30 minutes

🐔 Chicken

Whole: 20 min/lb at 375°F

Pieces: 25 min/lb at 375°F

Internal Temp: 165°F (74°C)

Rest: 10-15 minutes

🐄 Beef Roast

Rare: 15 min/lb at 350°F

Medium: 20 min/lb at 350°F

Well Done: 25 min/lb at 350°F

Rest: 10-20 minutes

🐖 Pork

Roast: 22 min/lb at 350°F

Chops: 6-8 min per side

Internal Temp: 145°F (63°C)

Rest: 10-15 minutes

🐑 Lamb

Rare: 17 min/lb at 350°F

Medium: 22 min/lb at 350°F

Well Done: 27 min/lb at 350°F

Rest: 15-20 minutes

🐟 Fish

General: 10 min/inch at 400°F

Internal Temp: 145°F (63°C)

Method: Bake, broil, or pan-sear

Rest: 3-5 minutes

Frequently Asked Questions

How long to cook a turkey per pound? +
For an unstuffed turkey, cook 13 minutes per pound at 350°F (175°C). For a stuffed turkey, cook 15 minutes per pound. A 12-pound unstuffed turkey takes about 2 hours 36 minutes. Always use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh and breast. Let the turkey rest for 20-30 minutes before carving for juicier meat.
What temperature should chicken be cooked to? +
Chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) measured in the thickest part of the meat, away from bone. This applies to whole chicken, chicken breasts, thighs, and wings. For whole chicken, also check the thigh area. Using a digital instant-read thermometer is the most reliable method. Never rely on color or juices running clear alone to determine doneness.
Beef cooking times per kg? +
Beef roast cooking times at 350°F (175°C) per kilogram: For Rare — approximately 30-40 minutes per kg (internal temp 120-125°F/49-52°C). For Medium — approximately 40-50 minutes per kg (internal temp 130-135°F/54-57°C). For Well Done — approximately 50-60 minutes per kg (internal temp 150-155°F/66-68°C). Steaks cook much faster: about 3-5 minutes per side depending on thickness and desired doneness.
How long to rest meat after cooking? +
Resting meat is essential for juicy, tender results. As a general rule: rest small cuts like steaks, chops, and chicken breasts for 5-10 minutes. Rest medium roasts (2-3 lbs / 1-1.5 kg) for 15-20 minutes. Rest large roasts like whole turkey or prime rib for 20-30 minutes. Tent loosely with foil to keep warm without steaming the crust. Resting allows juices to redistribute throughout the meat rather than running out when you cut.
What internal temp for medium-rare beef? +
Medium-rare beef is achieved at an internal temperature of 130-135°F (54-57°C). For best results, remove the beef from heat when it reaches 125-130°F (52-54°C) as carryover cooking will raise the temperature by about 5°F during resting. Medium-rare beef has a warm red center with a slightly firmer texture than rare. This is the most popular doneness for quality steaks and roasts.
Pork roast cooking time per pound? +
Pork roast cooking time at 350°F (175°C) is approximately 22 minutes per pound (about 48 minutes per kg). The USDA recommends cooking pork to an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) followed by a 3-minute rest. A 4-pound pork roast takes about 1 hour 28 minutes. For extra tenderness, consider slow-roasting at a lower temperature. Pork chops cook faster: about 4-6 minutes per side depending on thickness.
Roasting times for lamb? +
Lamb roasting times at 350°F (175°C): Rare — 17 minutes per pound (internal temp 125°F/52°C). Medium — 22 minutes per pound (internal temp 135-145°F/57-63°C). Well Done — 27 minutes per pound (internal temp 150-155°F/66-68°C). A 5-pound leg of lamb takes about 1 hour 25 minutes for medium doneness. Rest for 15-20 minutes before carving. Lamb pairs well with rosemary, garlic, and mint.
How long to cook a 5kg turkey? +
A 5kg (11 lbs) turkey takes approximately 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes at 350°F (175°C) if unstuffed (at 13 min/lb). If stuffed, expect about 2 hours 40 minutes to 3 hours (at 15 min/lb). Always verify doneness with a meat thermometer — the thigh should reach 165°F (74°C) and the breast should reach 160°F (71°C). For the most accurate results, use this cooking time calculator with your specific turkey weight.

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