Does a turkey cook faster if its covered?

No, a turkey does not cook faster if it's covered. In fact, covering a turkey during roasting can actually slow down the cooking process.

Here's why:

* Steam buildup: Covering a turkey traps moisture, creating steam inside the oven. This steam prevents the turkey from browning properly and can also make the skin soggy.

* Uneven cooking: The steam can also make it difficult for the heat to penetrate the turkey evenly, leading to undercooked areas.

* Longer cooking time: Since the turkey isn't browning properly, it might take longer to reach the desired internal temperature.

The best practice is to leave the turkey uncovered for most of the roasting time. This allows the skin to crisp up and the heat to circulate evenly. You can cover the turkey for the last 30 minutes or so of cooking if you want to prevent the skin from drying out too much.

However, there are some exceptions:

* If using a turkey breast: Covering a turkey breast can help it cook more evenly and stay moist.

* If using a turkey breast with skin on: You can cover the breast for the first part of cooking to help it cook more evenly, then uncover it towards the end to crisp up the skin.

Always use a meat thermometer to ensure your turkey is cooked to the safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).