How Long Should I Roast a Six-Pound Turkey Breast?

It Must Be Cooked Thoroughly

For health and safety reasons, poultry needs to be cooked thoroughly. Cooking times vary depending on the oven temperature and size of the poultry. When cooked at the normal temperature of 325°, the internal temperature of the poultry can reach optimal temperatures without the outside's become tough and dry. The refrigerated meat should be cooked in a preheated oven until the internal temperature reaches 175° to 180°F. For a six-pound turkey breast, this usually takes two hours and 15 minutes.

Higher Temperatures Cook Faster

The use of oven bags allow you to cook your poultry faster at higher temperatures. The bags capture the moisture from the meat during the cooking process, preventing the meat from drying. The higher temperature allows you to cook six pounds of bone-in turkey breast in 75 minutes to two hours.

Bottom Line

Using the recommended cooking times and temperatures helps ensure that no one gets ill from consuming bacteria in undercooked meat. However, since oven temperatures can fluctuate and poultry sizes vary, gauge whether your turkey is done with a meat thermometer, not a timer. Regardless of the cooking method used, poultry should be removed from the oven only after it reaches 175° to 180°F.

References

• Poultry Cooking Times: Easy How-to Cooking Tips and Advice