Yes, You Can Cook a Partially Frozen Turkey! Here’s How to Do It Safely

The holidays are synonymous with cooking up a big, beautiful turkey dinner. However, dealing with a frozen bird can create anxiety for even the most seasoned home cook. If you’ve pulled your Thanksgiving turkey from the freezer only to find it’s still partially frozen don’t panic! With some simple adjustments, you can absolutely cook a partially frozen turkey and enjoy a delicious holiday meal.

What Happens If You Cook a Partially Frozen Turkey?

Cooking a partially frozen turkey is possible, but it requires taking some extra precautions. The main risk with a partially frozen turkey is that the inside could still be frozen while the outside cooks. This means the inside won’t get cooked through properly. Undercooked poultry can potentially harbor dangerous bacteria like salmonella. To avoid this, a partially frozen turkey just needs more time in the oven.

How to Cook a Partially Frozen Turkey in the Oven

The oven method works well for cooking a partially frozen turkey Just follow these tips

Preheat the oven to 325°F. Resist the urge to crank up the heat, as high temperatures can cause uneven cooking.
Calculate 25% more cooking time. Since the turkey contains some frozen areas, it will take longer to roast. Figure about 15 minutes per pound for a fully thawed turkey. For a partially frozen one, allow about 20 minutes per pound.
Use a meat thermometer. Check the internal temperature in multiple spots to ensure no undercooked cold spots. Turkey should reach 165°F.
Tent with foil if browning too fast. The turkey skin and extremities may start to overbrown before the inside is done. Prevent this by loosely tenting foil over these areas.
Let rest before carving. Allowing the turkey to rest for 30 minutes after cooking gives the juices time to redistribute throughout the meat for maximum moisture and flavor.

Can You Smoke a Partially Frozen Turkey?

Good news – you can smoke a partially frozen turkey too! Follow these simple tips:

Use a lower smoking temp of 250°F. The gentle heat allows the turkey to gradually defrost and cook through without drying out.
Calculate 25% extra smoking time. Partially frozen poultry needs more time in the smoker to fully cook and reach safe internal temperatures.
Monitor temperatures. Use a digital thermometer to check the breast, thighs and stuffing temperatures. Look for 165°F.
Add water to the smoker. Having a water pan or spraying the turkey with broth helps keep it moist during the prolonged smoking time.

Defrosting a Partially Frozen Turkey

If time allows, the best way to defrost a partially frozen turkey is in the refrigerator. There the turkey will safely thaw over 24-48 hours. If you’re in a rush, use the cold water method:

Submerge in cold water. Place the turkey in a bucket or clean sink and cover completely with cold water.
Change water every 30 minutes. Replace the water to ensure it stays chilled.
Allow 30 minutes per pound. Estimate 30 minutes of defrosting time per pound of turkey weight.
Cook immediately. Cook the turkey right after thawing, and don’t refreeze.

Safety Tips for a Partially Frozen Turkey

Follow these tips for safely handling and cooking a partially frozen turkey:

Don’t leave at room temperature. Never thaw on the counter, as bacteria multiply rapidly between 40-140°F.
Avoid microwaving. Microwaves can cause uneven cooking so turkeys should not be thawed this way.
Wash hands and prep surfaces. Raw poultry contains bacteria so sanitize any surfaces the turkey touches.
Use a food thermometer. Check in multiple areas to confirm the turkey reaches 165°F minimum.
Refrigerate leftovers promptly. Divide turkey into shallow containers for quick chilling. Reheat all leftovers to 165°F.

Don’t Stress about a Partially Frozen Bird!

A frozen or partially thawed turkey may feel like a recipe for holiday disaster. But have no fear – with some simple adjustments to time, temperature and technique, you can absolutely cook up a delicious, safe turkey dinner, even if the bird is not fully defrosted. Just be sure to take food safety precautions when handling raw poultry. Trust the thermometer, allow extra cooking time, and your holiday feast will be amazing!

can you cook a turkey half frozen

What to do if your turkey is still frozen

, – June 12, 2023

Updated from an original article written by Beth Waitrovich, Michigan State University Extension.

To avoid the frozen bird disaster, plan ahead. Here are some safe ways of quickly thawing and preparing a frozen turkey.

Photo: Pexels/Monstera.

The turkey is still frozen, and you have a big gathering. It is still possible to safely thaw and prepare the turkey for your event.

First and foremost, do not thaw the turkey at room temperature on the counter! As the frozen turkey begins to thaw, any bacteria present before freezing will still be present after thawing. In addition, thawing the turkey at room temperature allows the bacteria to grow and multiply. This creates an unsafe meal despite being cooked.

According to Michigan State University Extension, it takes 24 hours per four to five pounds of turkey to thaw in the refrigerator. A 20-pound turkey takes four to five days to completely thaw in the fridge.

There are other ways to thaw a turkey, though.

One way is to submerge the turkey in cold water. To do this, leave the turkey in the original package and put it in a properly sanitized sink or container full of cold water under 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Set the timer for 30 minutes. Next, change the water, replacing it with cold water. Changing the cold water every thirty minutes until the turkey is completely thawed. A 20-pound turkey will take up to 10 to 12 hours to thaw, while a four- to 12-pound turkey will take two to six hours.

Once the turkey is thawed, it must be cooked to prevent further bacterial growth.

Check and follow your microwave manufacturer’s instructions for thawing the turkey. Once defrosted, cook the turkey immediately to prevent further bacterial growth. Since microwave ovens do not heat evenly, you may have a partially cooked turkey in one area and still frozen in another.

It is safe to cook a turkey that is frozen. A solidly frozen turkey will take 50% longer to cook than a thawed turkey. If it is only partially frozen, it will still take longer to cook than a thawed one.

Michigan State University Extension recommends using a food thermometer to determine if the turkey has reached a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit in the innermost portion of the thigh and thickest part of the breast. Only when the turkey has reached that temperature is it ready to serve. The oven should be at a minimum temperature of 325 degrees Fahrenheit.

For more information on safely preparing poultry, check out this Michigan Fresh Poultry factsheet.

Can you really cook a turkey that’s still frozen?

FAQ

Can I cook my turkey if it’s still partially frozen?

What if I forgot to defrost my turkey?

If you forgot to thaw the turkey, don’t panic. A faster thawing method is to submerge the frozen bird in cold water. You need to change the water every 30 minutes to be safe. While this method is faster, it still takes about 30 minutes per pound for complete thawing.

Is it OK to cook partially frozen ground turkey?

Raw or cooked meat, poultry or casseroles can be cooked or reheated from the frozen state. However, it will take approximately one and a half times as long to cook. For example, if fresh meat takes one hour to cook, the same meat cooked frozen would take 1 1/2 hours.

Can you cook a half frozen turkey crown?

If your turkey is frozen, you need to make sure it’s properly defrosted before you cook it. If it’s still partially frozen when it goes in the oven, recommended cooking times won’t be long enough to cook it thoroughly. This means bacteria that cause food poisoning could survive the cooking process.