Several factors contribute to a perfect Thanksgiving, but the holiday hinges on one question in particular: How long will it take to cook that turkey? Notoriously prone to overcooking, turkey meat has been ridiculed for its perceived dryness time and again. On top of the meat’s naturally lean characteristics, these very large birds have sections that vary widely in shape and thickness, making it tough (pun intended) to achieve a juicy interior and crispy, golden-brown skin. Sadly, not even the richest turkey gravy can save a bird that isn’t cooked properly.

So, how long does it take to cook a turkey? For a whole, unstuffed turkey, plan on roughly 13 minutes per pound at 350°F. That works out to about 3 hours for a 12- to 14-pound bird , though the precise roasting time depends on its size, your oven temperature, and how you prepare it.

But that doesn’t mean it has to take up all of your prep time.…