How to Cook a Thanksgiving Turkey: What Temperature? How Long? How to Take Temperature?

Turkey countdown: The meat needs to hit 165 F for safe eating, though some people say thigh meat tastes better at 170 F. (AP Photo/Larry Crowe, File) Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images

Thanksgiving is Nov. 22, and we'll get to the basics of how to cook a turkey.

1. First, preheat the oven to 325 degree F, and check the wrapper on the turkey to see how much it weighs (if it weighs more, then it will take longer to cook uniformly). Then remove the giblet bag from the breast and remove the turkey’s neck from the cavity. Pat the turkey skin dry with paper towels (don’t wash it).