How to cook a frozen turkey for Thanksgiving

On By Littum

Picture this: It’s Thanksgiving Day and you suddenly discover that your turkey is in the freezer. Panic sets in… Thanksgiving is definitely ruined! But before you start thinking about quitting, here’s some good news: you can still cook a frozen turkey!

Of course, you may not have enough time for traditional thawing methods. But there are also options for cooking your turkey straight from its frozen state. According to USDAdon’t expect the cooking time to be the same as your typical roast turkey recipe. “Cooking time will take at least 50 percent longer than recommended for a fully thawed turkey,” they say.

You might have to adjust your Thanksgiving timeline, but it’s better than takeout, and at least you know you’ll have a ready-made turkey that’s safe to eat. So here is a simple guide on how to make a frozen turkey.

how to make frozen turkey

Danielle Daly

How to cook a frozen turkey

It’s surprisingly easy to cook a frozen turkey, just make sure you follow these simple steps. To begin with, you can choose a quick thawing method (such as thawing in the microwave), which does not take as long as thawing in the refrigerator or in cold water. Or just cook it straight from the freezer.

To defrost a frozen turkey in the microwave: The USDA recommends making sure your turkey fits in the microwave first. Then use the manufacturer’s guidelines to thaw for about 6 minutes per pound. “Plan to cook it immediately after thawing because some areas of the food may become hot and begin to cook under the microwave. Keeping partially cooked food is not recommended because any bacteria present would not have been destroyed,” the USDA says.

How to cook directly from frozen: Start by unwrapping the turkey and set your oven temperature to 325 degrees. Place the turkey on a roasting pan and pop it in the oven – don’t worry about the giblets bag just yet! After the turkey has been in the oven for 20 to 30 minutes, use tongs to carefully remove the package of giblets. Now that the turkey has thawed a little in the oven, you can also season the turkey by brushing the outside with butter and seasoning with salt and pepper. Continue roasting until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees, covering with foil as needed if it starts to get too dark. Roasting times will vary depending on weight, but since it’s frozen, you can expect it to take at least 50 percent longer than a thawed bird. See the cooking times below!

Cooking times by weight

Based on USDA guidelinesthis is how long it will take to cook a frozen turkey at 325 degrees:

  • 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 do you know when your frozen turkey is cooked?

Have a meat thermometer handy! This tool is the best way to check if your turkey is cooked. The USDA says, “When the inner part of the thigh, the inner part of the wing, and the thickest part of the breast reach 165°F, it is ready to eat.”

Can you stuff a frozen turkey?

If you’re the type of person who prefers their stuffing in the bird rather than in a casserole dish, the USDA recommends only buying frozen pre-stuffed turkeys that have a clear USDA inspection symbol on the label. “These turkeys are safe because they have been processed under controlled conditions,” the organization says. However, you should never thaw a frozen pre-stuffed turkey. Instead, follow the package instructions and cook directly from frozen.