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!
Ingredients
- 1 Frozen Turkey
- 1/4 cup butter
- seasonings of choice
Instructions
- 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.
Notes
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