Duck, goose and turkey: how long to roast the holiday birds

The holiday bird is the most expensive mistake of the year: most people roast a duck or a goose once or twice, and an overcooked bird ruins the very table it was meant to crown. This collection gathers the timings for the holiday classics in one place.

One rule covers every bird: weight sets the time, and a thermometer in the thickest part of the thigh confirms doneness — not the timer. The ranges below are working baselines for a home oven; every product links to its full guide with scenarios and sources.

whole duck

150–175 min · 180°C / 350°F · internal min 74°C / 165°F

duck legs

75–90 min · 160°C / 325°F · internal min 74°C / 165°F

whole goose

150–180 min · 160°C / 325°F · internal min 74°C / 165°F

goose pieces

110–130 min · 160°C / 325°F · internal min 74°C / 165°F

whole turkey

180–225 min · 160°C / 325°F · internal min 74°C / 165°F

stuffed whole turkey

210–240 min · 160°C / 325°F · internal min 74°C / 165°F

turkey breast

120–170 min · 160°C / 325°F · internal min 74°C / 165°F

turkey thighs

45–60 min · 180°C / 350°F · internal min 74°C / 165°F

whole chicken

75–95 min · 180°C / 350°F · internal min 74°C / 165°F

cornish hen

50–60 min · 180°C / 350°F · internal min 74°C / 165°F

ham

90–140 min · 160°C / 325°F · internal min 74°C / 165°F

smoked ham

215–240 min · 160°C / 325°F · internal min 63°C / 145°F

pork loin roast

80–100 min · 180°C / 350°F · internal min 63°C / 145°F