How to Cook a Frozen Turkey

It’s surprisingly easy to make a frozen turkey. Just follow these simple steps. To get started, you can choose a quick defrosting method (such as microwave defrosting) that doesn’t take as long as defrosting in the refrigerator or cold water. Or just cook it straight from the freezer.

How to defrost a frozen turkey in the microwave: The USDA recommends first making sure your turkey will fit in the microwave. Then follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for defrosting for about 6 minutes per pound. “Plan to cook it immediately after defrosting as some areas of the food may become warm and begin to cook during the microwave. “It is not recommended to store partially cooked foods because doing so will not destroy existing bacteria,” says the USDA.

To cook directly from frozen food: Start by unwrapping the turkey and set the oven temperature to 325 degrees. Place the turkey on a roasting tray and pop it into the oven – don’t worry about the bag of giblets yet! After the turkey has been in the oven for 20 to 30 minutes, you can carefully remove the package of giblets using tongs. After the turkey has thawed slightly in the oven, you can also season it by brushing the outside with butter and seasoning with salt and pepper. Continue roasting until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees, covering with foil if necessary if it gets too dark. Roasting times vary depending on weight, but since it’s frozen, you can expect it to take at least 50 percent longer compared to a thawed bird. You can find the cooking times below!

Cooking times by weight

Based on USDA guidelines, this is how long it takes 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 done?

Have a meat thermometer handy! This tool is the best way to check if your turkey is done. The USDA says, “When the innermost part of the thigh, the innermost 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 stuffing in the bird rather than in a baking dish, the USDA recommends purchasing only frozen, pre-stuffed turkeys that have a clear USDA inspection symbol on the label. “These turkeys are safe because they were processed under controlled conditions,” the organization says. However, you should never thaw a frozen, pre-stuffed turkey. Instead, follow the package instructions and cook it directly from frozen.