How Long Should You Cook Meat In The Oven?

Cooking meat in the oven is one of the most common ways to cook it. But a lot of people aren’t always sure how long they need to cook their meat to ensure it’s cooked safely but retains its tenderness and flavor. In this article, we are going to dive into the specifics of cooking meat in the oven so your meat will come out tasty and tender every time. We’ll cover all major meat types, including chicken, beef, turkey, pork, and ham.

But before we get started, we want to recommend to every cook and would-be cook out there that it’s a great idea to purchase a high-quality thermometer so you can easily check internal temperatures when cooking. This will help you avoid overcooking meat.

How long to cook chicken in the oven

Let’s start with one of the most cooked meats: chicken. When cooking chicken in the oven:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F.
• For every pound of chicken, cook it for 30 minutes.
• Aim for an internal temperature of 165°F.
• If you’ve stuffed your chicken, add between 20 and 30 minutes to the total cooking time.

How long to cook a turkey in the oven

Like chicken, when cooking turkey in the oven, it all comes down to the weight of your bird. For best results, preheat your oven to 325°F. To help you determine the total cooking time, you should follow the guide below. If you have a thermometer, you’ll want the thigh temperature to be 170°F and the breast 180°F to ensure it’s cooked through.

• 4-to-8-pound turkeys will take between 3 and 4 hours to cook.
• 8-to-12-pound turkeys will take between 4 and 4 ½ hours to cook.
• 12-to-16-pound turkeys will take between 5 and 5 ¼ hours to cook.
• 16-to-20-pound turkeys will take between 6 and 7 ½ hours to cook.

How long to cook beef rib-eye in the oven

To cook the perfect beef rib-eye, set your oven to 350°F. The cooking time will depend on if you prefer rare, medium, or well-done beef.

• For rare, cook your rib-eye for 20 minutes per pound. Before taking it out of the oven, make sure the internal temperature is 140°F.
• For medium, cook your rib-eye for 22 minutes per pound. Before taking it out of the oven, make sure the internal temperature is 160°F.
• For well done, cook your rib-eye for 24 minutes per pound. Before taking it out of the oven, make sure the internal temperature is 170°F.

How long to cook roast pork in the oven

When cooking roast pork in the oven, preheat your oven to 350°F. A perfectly cooked pork roast should be 180°F in the middle. The cooking time for pork roasts depends on which cut you have and how big it is.

• Pork loin: for a center pork loin cut for 40 minutes per pound, cook a 5-to-7-pound pork loin for 45 minutes per pound, and a rolled pork loin for 50 minutes per pound.
• Pork spareribs: cook for 40 minutes per pound for the perfect spareribs.

How long to cook a standing rib roast in the oven

When cooking a standing rib roast, set your oven temperature to 350°F. Depending on how you prefer your roast to be cooked, follow the guidelines below.

• For rare, cook your standing rib roast for 20 – 25 minutes per pound. Before taking it out of the oven, make sure the internal temperature is 140°F.
• For medium, cook your standing rib roast for 25 – 30 minutes per pound. Before taking it out of the oven, make sure the internal temperature is 160°F.
• For well done, cook your standing rib roast for 30 – 35 minutes per pound. Before taking it out of the oven, make sure the internal temperature is 170°F.

How long to cook beef tenderloin in the oven

Beef tenderloin needs to be cooked in an oven at 400°F. A whole tenderloin that is between 4 and 6 pounds in weight should be cooked for 10 minutes per pound. The internal temperature should be 140°F.

How long do you cook a duck in the oven?

Duck can be a bit more difficult to cook than chicken, but if you follow these basic guidelines, you should be ok. When cooking duck, preheat your oven to 350°F.

• For every pound of weight, cook your duck for 20 minutes. Before taking it out of the oven, make sure the internal temperature is 160°F.

How long to cook veal in the oven

When cooking veal, you want to preheat your oven to 325°F (slightly less than other meats). Every different cut of veal has different recommended cooking times. 

• For veal leg, cook it for 25 to 30 minutes per pound. Make sure the internal temperature is 170°F.
• For veal loin, cook it for 30 to 35 minutes per pound. Make sure the internal temperature is 170°F.
• For veal ribs, cook them for 35 to 40 minutes per pound. Make sure the internal temperature is 170°F.

How long to cook a ham in the oven

The time it takes to cook a ham in the oven depends on if it’s cooked or uncooked. Regardless, preheat your oven to 350°F.

• For a pre-cooked ham, cook it for 15 minutes per pound or until it reaches an internal temperature of 130°F.
• For an uncooked ham, cook it for 20 minutes per pound or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.