Buying your goose or turkey

Always unwrap the bird and place it either in a refrigerator or cool larder. Place the giblets into a refrigerator. If you want to store longer than two days (for giblets ) or five days for (geese ), it is best to freeze. Geese freeze very well, thawing takes around 24-30 hours:- pat dry with a dry cloth and they will roast to perfection.

When buying your bird the total weight always includes the giblets and fat which for geese is approx. 1kg=2.2lbs

Goose weights and cooking times

Size Weight   Approx. cooking time at 200C/400F/Gas mark 6 1 Feeds 2
Small 4.5kg 10lb 1 1/2 - 2 hours 4
Medium 5kg 11lb 2 - 2 1/2 hours 6
Large 5.5kg 12lb 2 1/2 - 3 hours 6 - 8
Extra large 6kg+ 13lb+ 3 - 3 1/2 hours 8 - 10

Turkey weights and cooking times

Size Weight   Approx. cooking time at 200C/400F/Gas mark 6 1 Feeds 2
Small 5kg 11lb 2 - 2 1/2 hours 10
Medium 6kg 13lb 2 1/2 - 3 hours 12
Large 7kg 15lb 3 1/2 hours 14
Extra large 8 - 9kg 17 - 20lb 4 hours 16 - 18

1 Depends on your oven. Fan ovens vary.
2 Guideline only.


Note: If you wrap the bird tightly in foil it will take longer to cook.

Note: If you use thicker foil it will also take longer to cook.

These weights are just a guide to help you when cooking your bird, so always check the weight of your giblets and fat, before placing the bird into the oven.

Surplus goose fat makes excellent roast potatoes and roast parsnips.