From prepping and basting to roasting and carving, get all the tips you need to cook your bird. 1  Heat oven to 350 degrees F. 2  Roast turkey uncovered for 20 minutes per pound. 3  Cook to an internal temperature of 165 degrees measured at the thigh. Next, rinse the bird inside and out and pat dry with paper towels. 2  If you are brining your turkey to keep it nice and moist, do this 8 to 24 hours before you cook it. 3  If you are stuffing the bird, stuff it loosely, allowing about 1/2 to 3/4 cup stuffing per pound of turkey.