Roasting Times and Temperatures for Poultry and Meat

The tables here give approximate cooking times and temperatures for roasting beef, poultry, pork, and lamb. You want to remove a meat roast when its internal temperature is 5 to 10 degrees F less than final internal temperature, and then let it rest for about 15 minutes.

During the resting time, the roast cooks 5 to 10 degrees F more. None of this is an exact science, though; you have to use a meat thermometer to get the results you like.

Credit: Illustration by Elizabeth Kurtzman

When inserting a meat thermometer into a roast, don’t let the metal touch the bone — the bone is hotter than the meat and registers a falsely higher temperature.

Keep in mind that every oven is different. Some ovens are off by as much as 50 degrees F, which can be like trying to make gourmet coffee with hot tap water. Roasting can be a disaster without precision. Investing in an oven thermometer is worthwhile.

Source: National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

Medium rare doneness: 140 degrees F to 145 degrees F final meat temperature after 10 to 15 minutes standing time

Medium doneness: 155 degrees F to 160 degrees F final meat temperature after 10 to 15 minutes standing time

Allow 1/4 to 1⁄3 pound of uncooked boneless beef per serving and 1/2 to 1 pound of bone-in meat per serving, depending on the cut.

Source: National Chicken Council

Depending on the size of the bird, allow 15 to 20 minutes additional cooking time if stuffed.

Internal temperature for stuffing should be 165 degrees F.

Internal temperature for meat should be minimum 165 degrees F in the thigh.

Allow about 3/4 to 1 pound of uncooked chicken or turkey on the bone per serving.

The associations and companies that produce and market poultry use these roasting tables only as a rough guideline. For actual cooking times, they recommend always using a meat thermometer to ensure that poultry of any kind reaches a safe minimal internal temperature of 165 degrees F.

Source: National Pork Producers Council

Roast in a shallow pan, uncovered, at 350 degrees F.

Internal temperature should be minimum 145 degrees F.

Allow about 1/4 to 1⁄3 pound of uncooked boneless meat per serving and about 1/2 to 1 pound of bone-in meat per serving, depending on the cut.

Source: American Lamb Council

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F and remove from oven about 10 degrees F below desired temperature.

Internal temperature should be minimum 145 degrees F.

Allow 1/4 to 1⁄3 pound of boneless lamb per serving and 1⁄3 to 1/2 pound of bone-in lamb per serving.

Although it can be irresistible, don’t keep opening the oven door to see whether your roasted dish is done. Your kitchen will get hot, you’ll get hotter, and the meat or vegetables will take longer to cook.