If you are using a frozen turkey from the supermarket you need to make sure that the bird is thoroughly thawed before cooking.
Leave it to thaw in the fridge and give at least 24 hours defrosting for every 4-5 lbs (2-2.5 kg) of weight.
The following are approximate cooking times for turkeys in an oven which is at 180°C/350°F/Gas Mark 4:
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Size of turkey
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Stuffed turkey
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Unstuffed turkey
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8-12lbs/3.5-5.5kg
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3 hrs 20 mins – 4 hrs 40 mins
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3 hrs – 4 hrs 20 mins
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12-14lbs/5.5-6.5kg
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4 hrs 40 mins – 5 hrs 20 mins
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4 hrs 20 mins – 5 hrs
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14-18lbs/6.5-8kg
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5 hrs 20 mins – 6 hrs 40 mins
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5 hrs – 6 hrs 20 mins
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18-20lbs/8-9kg
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6 hrs 40 mins – 7 hrs 20 mins
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6 hrs 20 mins – 7 hrs
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20-24lbs/9-11kg
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7 hrs 20 mins – 8 hrs 40 mins
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7 hrs – 8 hrs 20 mins
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