How long to cook turkey?

There is just no way in the world to know and any chart that tells you there is, well it's lying.

A lot depends on your oven, on the turkey shape, thickness of the meat, bones, etc...

For 2 I would probably allow it about 4 hours but it could be 3 or it could be 5. Better to give it more time because even if it's done ahead of time you could let it rest a littie longer.

I start it on 500 preheated, crisp the skin, cover w/foil then lower to 350 until the internal breast temp reaches 161, then rest it for 30 minutes and carry over takes it to a perfect 165. Ignore the pop up timer, it is set to go off at 180 but could really go off at any time or might not go off because there is just a little glue and a spring in there set to go off when the glue melts enough. That pop up thing is stupid.

No basting, it doesn't actually do anything but prolong cooking time. And no "low and slow" which makes no sense considering turkey meat dries out more the longer you cook it and with "low and slow" the well developed layer of fat under the skin just melts and rolls off and you lose it.

Really the key to it all is to use a meat thermometer that will give you an accurate reading because that really is the only way to tell when it is done. YOu can estimate based on the heat of your oven and the weight but those estimates are a very very very imperfect science.

Use the chart for 12 lb don't add the weights. About 3 hours, more if stuffed.

This site has some good information.

http://www.the-perfect-turkey.com/how-long-to-cook...

Cook them together, but be sure there is enough room for air to circulate around all sides of both birds so they brown evenly.

Have a great holiday!

3 to 3-1/2 hours unstuffed

3-3/4 to 4-1/2 hours stuffed

you can cook them together, it won't affect their time

and we can't get more specific, they are done when they hit 165 degrees