Ill be honest, since I discovered how to cook a frozen chicken, I dont even bother thawing my fowl before cooking it! That goes for the big turkey too!
Since Im the one who normally makes Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner, this is a great recipe for me as it allows me to save counter and fridge space for other holiday recipes, instead of requiring me to thaw the turkey for days in advance.
With this recipe for how to cook a frozen turkey, I can simply take the turkey out of the freezer and have it straight into the oven within just a few minutes!
Preparing a frozen turkey can seem daunting, but with the right techniques, you can roast a delicious bird without having to thaw it first. Cooking times vary based on the size of your turkey, so it’s important to plan ahead. Follow this guide for tips on safely cooking a frozen turkey along with approximate cook times.
Benefits of Cooking a Frozen Turkey
Cooking a frozen turkey has several advantages
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Saves fridge space – No need to thaw for days taking up valuable real estate in the refrigerator
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Adds flexibility – You can buy your turkey early without worrying about thawing timing
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Maintains freshness – Less handling reduces risks of bacteria growth and contamination
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Saves time – Skip the 24+ hour thawing process and go straight to roasting
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Improves texture – Extended thawing can make meat mushy, cooking from frozen helps prevent this
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Enhances flavor – Frozen state helps lock in juices and flavor rather than leaking out during thawing
As long as food safety guidelines are followed, cooking a turkey directly from the freezer works wonderfully.
How Long Does it Take to Cook a Frozen Turkey?
Cooking times depend on several factors, including the size of your turkey, whether it is stuffed, and your oven type/capability.
Here are general timelines for roasting a frozen turkey:
- 8 – 12 pounds = Approximately 4 – 4 1⁄2 hours
- 12 – 14 pounds = Approximately 4 1⁄2 – 5 3⁄4 hours
- 14 – 18 pounds = Approximately 6 – 6 3⁄4 hours
- 18 – 20 pounds = Approximately 6 3⁄4 – 7 1⁄2 hours
- 20 – 24 pounds = Approximately 7 1⁄2 – 8 hours
These times are for an unstuffed turkey roasted at 325°F. A convection oven may cook the turkey slightly faster. Always rely on a meat thermometer rather than cook times to determine doneness.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Cooking a Frozen Turkey
Follow these simple steps for roasting a delicious frozen turkey:
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Remove packaging: Remove turkey from plastic wrapping, leave frozen. Remove giblets from cavities.
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Prepare pan: Place thawed turkey breast side up on a roasting rack in a sturdy pan.
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Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 325°F.
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Calculate cook time: Estimate roasting time based on turkey weight. Plan for approximately 30 minutes per pound, adjusting for stuffed or convection.
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Roast turkey: Roast at 325°F, basting occasionally with broth/drippings. Add broth as needed to prevent pan drying out.
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Increase heat: During last 45-60 minutes, increase heat to 400°F for browning.
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Check temperature: Insert thermometer into thickest part of breast, thigh, and stuffing ensuring 165°F.
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Let rest: Remove turkey from oven, tent with foil and let rest 20-30 minutes before carving.
Helpful Tips for Cooking a Frozen Turkey
Follow these tips for best results:
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Use a low-sided sturdy roasting pan to allow for even browning. Avoid glass pans which may shatter.
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Place turkey on a roasting rack. This exposes more surface area to heat rather than cooking in juices.
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Cook stuffed turkey 15-30 minutes longer than unstuffed to ensure filling is 165°F.
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Tent turkey with foil to prevent over-browning if needed.
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Baste occasionally with broth to prevent drying out. Frozen state locks in juices so basting is not essential.
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Turn on convection fan in last hour if available for crispy skin.
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Let turkey rest before carving so juices redistribute for moist meat.
Add Flavor to Your Frozen Turkey
Although a frozen turkey can’t be brined, you can still add lots of flavor:
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Dry rub: Apply a spice rub under the skin. Try ginger, sage, thyme, salt and pepper.
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Flavored butter: Rub turkey with compound butter before roasting.
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Aromatics: Stuff cavity with onion, garlic, citrus, fresh herbs.
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Baste/drizzle: Baste with broth, wine or oil during roasting.
With the right techniques, a frozen turkey will turn out just as moist and delicious as fully thawed. Monitor the temperature, tent if browning too quickly, and baste occasionally for best results. In just 4-8 hours you’ll have a perfectly cooked turkey ready for an amazing holiday feast.
How to Cook a Frozen Turkey
No matter what the reason, whether intentional or not, if you have a frozen turkey and a fast approaching dinner, then you need to get the turkey cooked quickly!
Not to worry! Its super easy to cook a frozen turkey without thawing it first! There are no tricks, its just a straightforward recipe that results in a delicious oven roasted turkey!
Remove all packaging from the outside of the turkey and place breast-side up onto a roasting pan.
Pre-heat the oven to 325° and move the middle rack down to the bottom one-third of the oven.
Roast turkey for 1-2 hours* (depending on the size), remove from oven and remove giblets from turkey. At this time also remove any plastic holding the legs together. You can tie them with twine at this point if desired.
*Remove once turkey is lightly golden brown.
Mix 1/4 cup of butter with seasoning of your choice. We use salt, pepper, garlic, and parsley.
Brush the butter mix onto the turkey as thoroughly as you can. Put it back in the oven.
Bake turkey for another 2 hours, or until dark golden brown. Check multiple points with a meat thermometer to ensure turkey is 165° through the thickest portions.
If any part is not fully cooked, continue baking until 165° is reached throughout.
NOTE: I have found that when cooking a frozen turkey, the total cook time is about 25% longer than normal. Keep this in mind when planning your dinner.
General Cook Times for A Frozen Turkey (total):
- 8- to 12-pound turkey: 4 to 4 1/2 hours
- 12- to 14-pound turkey: 4 1/2 to 5 3/4 hours
- 14- to 18-pound turkey: 5 3/4 to 6 1/4 hours
- 18- to 20-pound turkey: 6 1/4 to 6 3/4 hours
- 20- to 24-pound turkey: 6 3/4 to 7 1/2 hours
How to Cook a Frozen Turkey FAQ
Is is safe to cook a frozen turkey without thawing it first? Absolutely! Since you will be roasting this very quickly, the bacteria growth range temperature will be exceeded quickly and before any bacteria can set in.
Do you need to use a thermometer or can you just go based on timing? Since each turkey and oven is different, it really is crucial to use a thermometer while oven roasting a turkey; especially from frozen.
You need to be able to check multiple points of the turkey quickly to make sure that every part of the bird is at least 165°F before calling it ready.
Can I brine this turkey before cooking? Brining and dry rubs cannot be done on a frozen turkey. You can however do a seasoned butter rub that is absolutely delicious!
However, if you have a traditional flavor that you are seeking to achieve, then you will likely want to plan on thawing your turkey before roasting.
Can I stuff the turkey if its frozen? For this type of oven roasted turkey, the cook time would be too long for the stuffing to really survive well. Also, the stuffing will actually slow down the turkey cooking process, causing the turkey to dry out before it fully reaches the safe temperature.
I recommend baking the stuffing separately and serving it on the side.
Does a frozen turkey actually taste good after its cooked? Yes! Its really delicious and the skin is nice and crispy, just like cooking it if it was thawed first.
Downsides to cooking a frozen turkey? There are only 2 downsides that I can see:
1. If you normally use a rub or brine, you wont be able to with this method.
2. You cant tuck the wings under for that quintessential “gorgeous” turkey photo. However, thats not a huge deal-breaker for me!
How to Cook a Frozen Turkey
FAQ
Do you cook a frozen turkey at 325 or 350?
Can you cook a frozen turkey without thawing?
How long to cook a 20 pound turkey?
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Turkey Weight
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Servings
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Cooking Time
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12 to 14 lb
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8 to 10
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2 3/4 to 3 hours
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15 to 18 lb
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10 to 12
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3 1/4 to 4 hours
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18 to 20 lb
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12 to 14
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4 to 4 1/4 hours
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20 to 22 lb
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14 to 16
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4 1/4 to 4 3/4 hours
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