Roast Timer by Weight – Online Pork Beef Poultry Calculator

At 350°F, beef roast typically requires 15–28 minutes per pound depending on desired doneness. Rare: ~15 min/lb (125°F internal). Medium Rare: ~18 min/lb (135°F). Medium: ~21 min/lb (145°F). Medium Well: ~24 min/lb (150°F). Well Done: ~28 min/lb (160°F). Always confirm with a meat thermometer for best results.

The USDA recommends cooking pork roasts to an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) followed by a 3-minute rest. This yields juicy, slightly pink pork that is perfectly safe. Many people overcook pork out of habit—modern pork is much safer than decades ago. Use a digital thermometer for accuracy.

All poultry (chicken, turkey, duck) must reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the breast and thigh. This ensures any harmful bacteria like Salmonella are eliminated. For whole birds, check both the breast and the innermost thigh. The temperature will rise a few degrees during resting.

Resting allows the muscle fibers to relax and reabsorb juices that are driven to the center during cooking. If you slice immediately, those juices spill out, leaving the meat dry. Rest for 10–20 minutes depending on roast size. The internal temperature also continues to rise 5–10°F during resting (carryover cooking), so remove the roast slightly before it hits the target temperature.

It depends on the result you want. Uncovered roasting produces a browned, flavorful crust. Covering with foil traps steam and cooks faster but yields less browning. A popular method is to roast uncovered for most of the time, then tent loosely with foil if the exterior is browning too quickly. For very large roasts, you may cover for the first portion and uncover toward the end.

Yes, but you'll need approximately 50% more time than a thawed roast. The USDA confirms it's safe to cook from frozen, but the outer portions may overcook before the center reaches the target temperature. For best results, thaw completely in the refrigerator (allow 24 hours per 5 lbs). If cooking from frozen, use a lower oven temperature (around 325°F) and rely heavily on a meat thermometer.

While both use dry heat in an oven, roasting typically refers to cooking whole cuts of meat or vegetables at higher temperatures (350°F+), often uncovered to develop browning. Baking usually refers to breads, pastries, and casseroles. For meat, the terms are often interchangeable, but roasting implies a focus on caramelization and crust development.

Lower temperatures require more time; higher temperatures require less. As a rough guide: reducing from 350°F to 325°F adds about 15% more time. Increasing to 375°F reduces time by about 12%. At 400°F, expect roughly 22% less time. However, lower temperatures yield more even cooking and a wider window between underdone and overdone. Our calculator adjusts for these differences automatically.

Roasts between 3 and 8 pounds generally cook most evenly. Very large roasts (12+ lbs) benefit from lower oven temperatures (300–325°F) to prevent the outer portions from overcooking before the center is done. For extra-large cuts like whole prime rib or turkey, consider using a two-temperature method: start high for browning, then lower for gentle finishing.

Our calculator provides times for boneless roasts. Bone-in roasts may cook slightly faster because bones conduct heat into the center. For bone-in cuts, check the internal temperature 10–15 minutes earlier than the estimated time. The bone also acts as an insulator in some cases, so a thermometer remains your most reliable guide. In general, the weight-based estimate is a solid starting point for any roast type.