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

150175 min · 180°C / 350°F · internal min 74°C / 165°F

duck legs

7590 min · 160°C / 325°F · internal min 74°C / 165°F

whole goose

150180 min · 160°C / 325°F · internal min 74°C / 165°F

goose pieces

110130 min · 160°C / 325°F · internal min 74°C / 165°F

whole turkey

180225 min · 160°C / 325°F · internal min 74°C / 165°F

stuffed whole turkey

210240 min · 160°C / 325°F · internal min 74°C / 165°F

turkey breast

120170 min · 160°C / 325°F · internal min 74°C / 165°F

turkey thighs

4560 min · 180°C / 350°F · internal min 74°C / 165°F

whole chicken

7595 min · 180°C / 350°F · internal min 74°C / 165°F

cornish hen

5060 min · 180°C / 350°F · internal min 74°C / 165°F

ham

90140 min · 160°C / 325°F · internal min 74°C / 165°F

smoked ham

215240 min · 160°C / 325°F · internal min 63°C / 145°F

pork loin roast

80100 min · 180°C / 350°F · internal min 63°C / 145°F