Ella Walter
It is possible to cook a frozen turkey without defrosting it first. This method is USDA-approved and food-safe. Cooking a frozen turkey is very simple: unwrap the turkey, place it on a rack in a roasting pan, and bake it in the oven at 325°F. The cooking time will be about 50% longer than for a thawed turkey. You can season the turkey halfway through cooking, and the drippings can be used to make gravy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can I cook a frozen turkey? | Yes |
| Is it safe? | Yes, USDA-approved |
| How to cook? | Place in a roasting pan in the oven at 325°F |
| How long to cook? | 50% longer than a thawed turkey |
| How to season? | Basic seasoning with butter, salt, pepper, and other spices |
| How to thaw? | In the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave |
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What You'll Learn
Cooking a frozen turkey is food-safe
To cook a frozen turkey, you need to remove the plastic wrapper and place the bird in a roasting pan in the oven. Set the oven temperature to 325°F. Place a rack in the bottom third of the oven and put the turkey on top of the roasting rack. You can also use a cooling rack to elevate the bird, which will allow hot air to circulate around it as it cooks.
After two hours, check the temperature with an instant-read thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, drumstick, or breast, being careful not to touch the bone. The drumsticks and thighs should read around 100°F, while the breast should be thawed about an inch or so but still frozen past that. At this point, you can also season the turkey. Brush the outside with oil, butter, or sauce and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and any other spices you like.
Return the turkey to the oven for another 60 to 90 minutes. The total cooking time for a frozen turkey is about 50% longer than that of a thawed turkey. An 8- to 12-pound turkey will take 4 to 4.5 hours to cook, while a 12- to 14-pound turkey will take 4.5 to 5.5 hours. Make sure the breast meat reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, and the legs and thighs reach 170°F to 175°F.
The long cooking time results in dark and caramelized drippings, which can be used to make a rich and savory gravy. However, if the drippings start to burn, add a cup of water or broth to the pan.
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How to season a frozen turkey
Cooking a frozen turkey is a safe and easy way to prepare a delicious meal. It is USDA-approved and can be done without thawing the turkey beforehand. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to season a frozen turkey:
Step 1: Prepare the Turkey
Remove the plastic wrapper from the frozen turkey. Place the turkey breast side up on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. If you don't have a rack, use a cooling rack to elevate the bird so that hot air can circulate around it while it cooks.
Step 2: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 325°F. Place the rack in the bottom third of the oven.
Step 3: Initial Roasting
Roast the turkey for about 2 to 2.5 hours. Do not open the oven door during this time to avoid losing heat. After this initial roasting period, the turkey should be partially cooked, and the breast and thighs will likely be in the low-100°F range.
Step 4: Remove Giblets
At this stage, the turkey should be thawed enough to remove any trussing mechanisms and the bag of giblets from the neck cavity. If the giblets are still frozen, continue roasting and check every 30 minutes until you can remove them.
Step 5: Seasoning
Now, you can season the turkey. Brush the outside with oil, melted butter, or another sauce of your choice. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and any other desired seasonings or spices. You can also fill the cavity with aromatic vegetables and herbs.
Step 6: Continue Roasting
Return the turkey to the oven and continue roasting until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F throughout. This is the USDA-recommended safe temperature for turkey. The cooking time will depend on the size of your turkey. A general rule of thumb is that a frozen turkey will take about 50% longer to cook than a thawed one.
Step 7: Rest and Serve
Once the turkey has reached the desired temperature, remove it from the oven and let it rest for about 30 minutes before carving and serving. Enjoy your delicious, juicy, and flavorful turkey!
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How to make gravy from the drippings
Yes, you can cook a frozen turkey without defrosting it first. Cooking a frozen turkey is simple and USDA-approved. All you need to do is remove the plastic wrapper, put the turkey in a roasting pan, and bake it at 325°F.
Now, for the gravy! Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to make gravy from the drippings of a frozen turkey:
Step 1: Prepare the drippings
The drippings are what's left in the roasting pan after cooking the turkey. This includes fat that has melted and any meat bits that have fallen off. When your turkey is finished cooking, do not discard the drippings. Instead, pour the drippings into a bowl and allow the fat to separate. Skim the fat from the top of the drippings. You can also strain the drippings through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any solids.
Step 2: Make the roux
Add about one cup of the drippings to the roasting pan or a saucepan. Whisk in about 1/2 cup of flour and make a roux by cooking it until it turns a golden brown colour. You can use salted or unsalted butter to make the roux, depending on your preference for saltiness in the dish. For a gluten-free option, substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
Step 3: Add broth and drippings
Once the roux is ready, slowly add broth and more drippings, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Keep adding and stirring until you reach your desired thickness. Good quality chicken or turkey stock is highly recommended if you do not have enough drippings.
Step 4: Season and serve
Season the gravy with salt and pepper, tasting as you go to ensure it has the flavour you are looking for. You can also add fresh herbs for extra flavour. Your gravy is now ready to serve!
Storage
Leftover gravy can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to a week. It will thicken and become solid as it cools, but don't worry—simply reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop, and it will become a liquid again. You can also freeze leftover gravy in individual portions and thaw and reheat when needed.
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How to safely thaw a frozen turkey
It is possible to roast a frozen turkey in an oven without thawing it first. However, if you would like to thaw your turkey, there are three safe ways to do so: using a refrigerator, cold water, or a microwave.
If you choose to thaw your turkey in a refrigerator, it is recommended to allow approximately 24 hours for every 5 pounds of turkey. For example, a 15-pound turkey will take about three days to thaw completely. During the thawing process, keep the turkey in its original wrapping and place it breast-side up in a baking pan to prevent drips from contaminating other foods. Once thawed, the turkey can be kept in the fridge for up to two days before cooking.
Thawing a frozen turkey in cold water is another option. This method requires approximately 30 minutes per pound of turkey. For a 15-pound turkey, it will take about 7 to 8 hours to thaw completely. Ensure that the turkey remains in its original wrapping and that the water is changed every 30 minutes.
The third option is to use a microwave. The time required for thawing will depend on the size of the turkey and the specific microwave model. Refer to the user manual for your microwave oven to get instructions for thawing. In general, it could take an hour or more on the defrost setting. Remove the turkey from its wrapping and any metal clips or tags before placing it breast-side up in a microwave-safe pan. After thawing, wash the inside of the microwave to prevent cross-contamination, and cook the turkey immediately.
It is important to note that you should never thaw a frozen turkey in hot water or at room temperature. Doing so can lead to bacterial growth and foodborne illness.
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How long to cook a frozen turkey
It is safe to cook a frozen turkey in the oven, but it is not recommended to fry one. The frozen bird will release liquid as the ice melts, which can lead to a dangerous boil-over situation.
The general rule of thumb is that cooking a frozen turkey takes about 50% longer than cooking a thawed turkey. For example, a 14- to 18-pound turkey that would ordinarily require four hours of cooking time will need about 6 hours in the oven if it is frozen. The cooking time will vary depending on the size of the turkey. Here are some estimates for how long it will take to cook a frozen turkey based on its weight:
- 8- to 12-pound turkey: 4 hours to 4 hours and 30 minutes
- 12- to 14-pound turkey: 4 hours and 30 minutes to 5 hours and 45 minutes
- 14- to 18-pound turkey: 6 hours to 6 hours and 45 minutes
- 18- to 20-pound turkey: 6 hours and 45 minutes to 7 hours and 30 minutes
- 20- to 24-pound turkey: 7 hours and 30 minutes to 7 hours and 45 minutes
It is important to note that these are just estimates, and the actual cooking time may vary depending on your oven and other factors. To ensure that your turkey is fully cooked, it is recommended to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the bird. The breast meat should reach an internal temperature of 165°F, and the legs and thighs should reach 170° to 175°F. The temperature inside the cavity should also reach 165°F to avoid contaminating the rest of the bird when carving.
When cooking a frozen turkey, preheat your oven to 325°F. Line a roasting pan with foil and place a roasting rack in it to keep the turkey above any liquid that may drain out. This will help ensure that the turkey roasts rather than steams. Remove the plastic wrapping from the turkey and place it on the rack in the roasting pan, breast-side up.
After two hours of cooking, check the temperature of the turkey using a meat thermometer. If the breast meat is thawed enough, remove the giblets and neck. You can then return the turkey to the oven and continue cooking until it reaches the desired internal temperature. Once the turkey is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 20-30 minutes before carving and serving.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can roast a frozen turkey without defrosting it first. It is USDA-approved and food-safe.
Place the frozen turkey in a roasting pan in the oven and bake at 325°F. You can also spray oil and sprinkle salt and pepper on the turkey before baking.
A frozen turkey will take about 50% longer to cook than a thawed turkey. The time depends on the size of the turkey. An 8-12 pound turkey will take 4 to 4.5 hours, while a 20-24 pound turkey will take 7.5 to 8 hours.
Yes, you can season a frozen turkey. Once the outside of the turkey is thawed, you can brush it with butter, oil, or sauce and rub it with salt, pepper, and other spices.
Cooking a frozen turkey is less stressful and makes for a moist and flavorful dish. It also produces extra-dark and rich drippings, which are perfect for gravy.
