Cooking a frozen turkey breast may seem daunting but it’s actually quite simple with some planning and the right techniques. When done properly, you can achieve a moist juicy and flavorful turkey breast that looks and tastes like you spent all day tending to it. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to cook a frozen turkey breast in the oven to perfection.
Thawing Out the Turkey Breast
The first step is thawing the frozen turkey breast This is a crucial part of the process, as it allows the turkey to cook evenly Here are two safe thawing methods
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Refrigerator Thawing: Place the frozen turkey breast in the refrigerator in a container to catch any drips. Allow about 24 hours of thawing time per 4-5 pounds. This is the preferred method as it thaws the turkey gradually at a safe temperature.
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Cold Water Thawing: Submerge the frozen turkey (in a sealed bag) in a sink or container of cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes. Allow 30 minutes thawing time per pound. This thaws the turkey more quickly but requires more attention.
Once thawed, pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels and remove any giblets or neck from the cavities before seasoning.
Seasoning the Turkey Breast
Seasoning is key for flavorful results. I recommend:
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Generously coating the turkey breast with a mix of olive oil, salt, pepper, thyme, rosemary and garlic powder. Gently rub the seasonings all over the turkey.
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For extra flavor, try injecting a marinade into the thickest part of the breast using an injection syringe. A citrus herb marinade works wonderfully.
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If you have time, let the seasoned turkey breast rest in the fridge for 4-12 hours before cooking for the ultimate flavor infusion.
Cooking Methods for Frozen Turkey Breast
Now onto the main event – cooking that turkey! There are a few methods to achieve success:
Oven Roasting
This traditional approach results in golden, crispy skin and tender meat.
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Preheat oven to 325°F. Place turkey breast on a rack in a roasting pan.
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Roast for approximately 20 minutes per pound, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
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Tent foil over the turkey breast during the first half of cooking to prevent over-browning.
Slow Cooker
The slow cooker yields fall-off-the-bone meat and hands off convenience.
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Place turkey breast in a slow cooker and add 1 cup broth or water.
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Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-6 hours, until 165°F.
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The longer cook time results in incredibly tender turkey.
Sous Vide
For the juiciest turkey breast ever, sous vide can’t be beat!
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Seal seasoned turkey in a sous vide bag and cook at 145°F for 2-4 hours.
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Quickly sear the exterior in a hot pan before serving for crispy skin.
Handy Tips for Success
Follow these tips and tricks for the best results when cooking a frozen turkey breast:
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Monitor the temperature using a meat thermometer to ensure doneness at 165°F.
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Let the cooked turkey breast rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute.
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Carve across the grain of the meat for tender slices.
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Save the pan drippings to make a flavorful turkey gravy or sauce.
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Store leftovers in the fridge for 3-4 days or freeze for longer term. Reheat to 165°F.
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For food safety, thaw frozen turkey in the fridge rather than at room temperature.
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Avoid frequent peeking during roasting or slow cooking to prevent heat loss.
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Brine or marinate the turkey breast before freezing for added moisture and flavor.
Mouthwatering Turkey Breast Recipes
Once you’ve perfected the basics, it’s time for some recipe inspiration! Give these delicious ways to use cooked frozen turkey breast a try:
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BBQ Turkey Sandwiches – Shred the turkey and toss it with your favorite bbq sauce. Pile it on soft buns with pickles and coleslaw.
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Turkey Tetrazzini – Mix turkey with spaghetti, mushrooms, Parmesan and creamy sauce. Top with toasted breadcrumbs.
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Turkey Enchiladas – Fill tortillas with shredded turkey, cheese, beans, and enchilada sauce.
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Turkey Salad – Chop or shred turkey and mix with mayo, celery, cranberries, and nuts for a tasty sandwich filler or side salad.
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Turkey Stir Fry – Quickly stir fry sliced turkey with vegetables and teriyaki or orange sauce for a healthy dinner.
Don’t Forget the Bag of Giblets!
Obviously, with the turkey frozen solid, you wont be able to pull the bag of giblets out of the cavity. Dont worry about it right now. Set the turkey on the rack and put it in the oven. Do not open the door of the oven for two hours.
After two hours, you should be able to work your meat thermometer into the deepest part of the thigh. What works best is the digital kind that you can set to alert you when your meat or poultry reaches its target temperature. Ideally the thigh will make it to 175 to 180 F, but for now, itll probably read 90 to 95 F.
Once you have the probe into the thigh, brush the skin with melted butter, season with salt and pepper and return it to the oven for another hour. By then you should be able to get the bag of giblets out. Fortunately these days it seems like they come wrapped in paper rather than plastic, but either way, you definitely dont want to leave it in there.
At the three-hour mark, the thigh reading should be around 140 F, but it depends on whether you got the thermometer all the way in or not. It can be tricky when its frozen, and you may not realize if youve hit bone.
Under normal circumstances, making multiple holes in a turkey with thermometers would not be recommended. But these are not normal circumstances.
Therefore, ideally, in addition to your probe thermometer, you will also have an instant-read thermometer. That way you can leave the probe thermometer in the thigh while using the instant-read thermometer to take temperature readings elsewhere, like the breast, and within the body cavity.
Watch Now: How to Cook a Frozen Turkey Without Thawing It
If you want to skip to the part where we tell you what to do, scroll down to where it says “how to cook a frozen turkey.”
You can come back and read the rest later, once the bird is in the oven and youre drinking a glass of wine.
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How long to cook frozen turkey breast in oven?
FAQ
Is it better to cook a turkey breast frozen or thawed?
Can you cook a frozen turkey without thawing?
How many minutes per pound for a frozen turkey breast?
How do you cook a frozen turkey breast?
First, you will need to preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. While the oven is preheating, take the frozen turkey breast out of the packaging and place it on a roasting rack inside a roasting pan. This will allow the heat to circulate around the turkey breast, ensuring even cooking.
What temperature should a frozen turkey breast be cooked at?
The recommended cooking temperature for a frozen turkey breast is 325°F (163°C). This allows the turkey breast to cook evenly and thoroughly without becoming dry. How long should I cook a frozen turkey breast?
Can a turkey breast be frozen?
The breast should be thawed about an inch or so, but will still be frozen past that. It’s best to check the turkey’s temperature using an instant-read thermometer. To do this, insert the pin of the thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh (or drumstick or breast), being careful not to come into contact with the bone.
Can You Thaw a frozen turkey breast?
Thawing the frozen turkey breast is the first step to ensure even cooking and delicious results. There are two safe methods for thawing a frozen turkey breast: Refrigerator Method: Place the turkey breast on a tray or in a shallow pan in the refrigerator. Allow approximately 24 hours of thawing time for every 4-5 pounds of turkey breast.