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!
Come Thanksgiving or Christmas, many home cooks opt to purchase a frozen turkey for ease and convenience. But preparing a frozen bird for the oven takes some planning and know-how Improperly thawing or cooking a frozen turkey can compromise food safety.
Follow this complete step-by-step guide to learn how to safely prepare a frozen turkey for delicious holiday cooking.
Overview of Steps
Here is an overview of the key steps we’ll cover in detail for prepping a frozen turkey:
- Select correct turkey size
- Choose a thawing method
- Remove giblets and neck
- Rinse turkey and pat dry
- Truss turkey
- Season the turkey inside and out
- Calculate cooking times
- Preheat oven and prep pan
- Monitor temperature while cooking
- Test doneness
- Safely carve and serve the cooked turkey
With the right techniques and timing, you’ll end up with a perfectly cooked frozen turkey the whole family can enjoy!
Select the Right Turkey Size
Your first step is choosing the right size frozen turkey for your gathering. Here are some turkey size guidelines based on the number of guests:
- 8 to 12 people = 12 to 15 lb turkey
- 12 to 16 people = 16 to 20 lb turkey
- 20 to 24 people = 20 to 24 lb turkey
Allow for about 1 pound of turkey meat per person when estimating the size needed. An overly large bird will be tricky to properly thaw and cook through.
Opt for a frozen turkey that still has the giblets in the cavity versus ones that are pre-stuffed. This gives you more control over seasonings and ensures even cooking.
Thawing a Frozen Turkey
To safely cook a tasty frozen turkey, proper thawing is a must. Here are the best methods:
Refrigerator Thawing
This is the gold standard method, allowing for slow and safe thawing:
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Keep turkey in original wrap and place in a container to catch drips.
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Thaw in the fridge for 24 hours per 4-5 lbs of turkey.
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After thawing, keep refrigerated for 1-2 days before cooking.
Cold Water Thawing
Faster but requires more monitoring:
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Submerge wrapped turkey in cold tap water, changing water every 30 mins.
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Estimate 30 minutes thaw time per lb, thaw until meat is soft/movable.
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Cook immediately after thawing completes.
Microwave Thawing
Only for small turkeys under 12 lbs:
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Check owner’s manual for power level and timing guidance.
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Cook immediately, do not refreeze or refrigerate after microwaving.
Never thaw at room temp or in hot water, as this prompts bacterial growth.
Remove Giblets and Neck
Once thawed, remove giblets and/or neck stuffed in the turkey cavity. Rinse the turkey cavity with cold water and pat the exterior dry with paper towels.
Refrigerate again until ready to season and cook. This allows the meat to chill thoroughly for even cooking.
Trussing the Turkey
Trussing pulls the wings and legs tight to the turkey body with kitchen string. This compacts the bird for more even cooking.
To truss:
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Loop string around the turkey cavity opening and legs. Cross string around back.
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Pull wings in tightly to the body and wrap string around tips to secure.
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Tie string together at the back or use trussing hooks for easy removal.
Seasoning the Turkey
For best flavor, season the turkey inside and out before roasting:
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Coat the cavity with olive oil or melted butter. Stuff the cavity with aromatic herbs and vegetables.
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Gently loosen the skin on the breast to rub the meat underneath with spice blend or compound butter.
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Brush the skin all over with oil or melted butter and generously season.
Some classic turkey seasoning mixes include:
- Poultry seasoning – sage, thyme, rosemary
- Herbs de Provence – savory, fennel, basil
- Lemon, garlic, pepper
- Brown sugar and chili powder
Calculating Cook Times
Frozen turkeys require significantly longer cook times. Estimate 20-25 minutes per lb for a thawed turkey versus 30-35 minutes per lb for a fully frozen one.
For example, a 15 lb frozen turkey will need 45-53 minutes total cook time at 325°F. Check the packaging as some brands provide exact timing.
Use a meat thermometer to confirm the turkey reaches 165°F at the thickest part of the breast and thigh before removing from the oven. Let sit 20 minutes before carving.
Roasting Prep
Take these steps to prep your oven and roasting pan:
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Place thawed turkey on a rack in a roasting pan. Tent loosely with foil.
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Scatter onion, carrot, celery and herbs around the turkey in the pan.
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Preheat the oven to 325°F which offers even heating.
Monitoring the Cook
Baste the turkey with pan juices every 30 minutes while roasting. Tent with foil if browning too quickly.
For a frozen turkey, plan to wake up early to get it in the oven! A 15 lb turkey may need up to 8 hours cook time when still frozen. Check often and rotate pans if hot spots develop.
Use a remote probe thermometer for easiest temp monitoring without opening the oven.
Is Turkey Fully Cooked?
The only way to confirm doneness is checking inner temps in multiple spots with an instant read thermometer:
- Breast should reach 165°F
- Thigh area should reach 175°F
- Stuffing inside cavity must hit 165°F
The thighs near the body cavity often take longest to fully cook through. If underdone, return to oven until hitting food safe minimums.
Carving and Serving
Let the cooked turkey rest at least 20 minutes before carving to allow juices to reabsorb. Use an electric knife for easiest slicing. Arrange pieces on a platter and spoon over pan juices for serving.
Refrigerate all leftovers within 2 hours of cooking. Sliced turkey keeps for 3-4 days and whole cooked turkey lasts 4-5 days refrigerated.
Follow this complete step-by-step guide for success with your frozen turkey dinner! Thaw safely, prep carefully, cook fully, and store properly after for delicious worry-free holiday meals.
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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
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 our Whole Turkey from frozen | Donald Russell
FAQ
Should frozen turkeys be thawed before cooking?
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