MinuteMetric

Cooking Time Estimator (Roasts)

Estimate roasting times for various meats based on weight and desired doneness.

Enter Roast Details

Enter the weight of the raw meat joint.
Select how well-cooked you want the meat.

Estimating Roasting Times

Roasting meat perfectly requires careful timing. This calculator provides an estimated cooking time based on the type of meat, its weight, and your desired level of doneness (e.g., rare, medium, well-done). It also includes a recommended resting time, which is crucial for juicy, tender results.

These times are based on common roasting guidelines and typical oven temperatures.

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Type of Meat: Select the type of meat you are roasting (Beef, Chicken, Turkey, Lamb, Pork).
  2. Weight of Meat: Enter the weight of the raw meat joint and select the unit (kg or lb).
  3. Desired Doneness: Select your preferred level of doneness. The available options will change based on the type of meat selected (e.g., "Rare" is common for beef/lamb but not poultry).
  4. Click "Estimate Cooking Time".

Interpreting Your Results

Calculation Logic (Simplified Guidelines)

The calculator uses typical "minutes per kg/lb" guidelines plus sometimes a fixed additional time, which vary by meat type and doneness. Examples:

Resting time is often recommended as 10-20 minutes, sometimes longer for very large roasts.

These are simplified rules of thumb.

Factors Affecting Actual Cooking Time

Using a Meat Thermometer (Recommended)

For the most accurate results and food safety, using a meat thermometer is highly recommended. Insert it into the thickest part of the meat, avoiding bone. Cook to the target internal temperature for your desired doneness:

Remember the temperature will continue to rise slightly during resting (carryover cooking).

Disclaimer: This calculator provides time estimates based on general guidelines. Actual cooking times can vary significantly. **Always use a meat thermometer to ensure meat, especially poultry and pork, is cooked to a safe internal temperature.** Follow food safety practices when handling raw meat.