Yes, you really can cook a frozen turkey. It might sound completely improbable — even slightly alarming. But, against all odds, yes, it works. There is hope if you find yourself on Thanksgiving morning staring down a turkey that is still frozen solid and wondering how you’re going to get dinner on the table in a few hours. Here’s how to transition smoothly from frozen to golden
Don’t Forget to Remove the Giblets
Attempting to remove the giblets before cooking will fail because the turkey is too thoroughly frozen. The turkey should have sufficiently defrosted halfway through cooking for you to be able to remove the giblets from the neck cavity. It might take a little longer for the giblets or neck to defrost if they are inside the turkey’s internal cavity.
Be extremely cautious to prevent the plastic wrapping your giblets from melting if it gets too hot. Melted plastic does not make for tasty turkey on Thanksgiving.
Yes, You Absolutely Need a Good Thermometer
When employing this technique, you must absolutely use a thermometer to check the internal temperature of the turkey. The inner layers may still be frozen or under-temperature even though the exterior may appear completely finished and the juices to be running clear. A thermometer should be available, or you should send someone to the store to get one.
If you don’t already have one, I also strongly advise purchasing a digital thermometer. Compared to a standard meat thermometer, these are much more accurate, simpler to read, and take temperatures much faster. I believe it’s crucial to be able to quickly and accurately gauge the temperature around the frozen turkey in several different locations.
Estimated Cooking Times for Frozen Turkeys
Partially thawed turkeys will have shorter cooking times.
FAQ
How many minutes per pound do you cook a frozen turkey breast?
Calculate your roasting time. For every pound of meat in a thawed turkey, you need to cook it for approximately 15 minutes. You need to cook a frozen turkey for at least half as long, or 22 1/2 minutes per pound.
How long does it take to cook a frozen boneless turkey breast?
The breast should be cooked in a preheated oven at 325°F (162°C). 8 C), and roast slowly for 15 to 20 minutes for each pound. This will allow the turkey to slowly roast, caramelize the skin without burning, and finish cooking it until the internal thermometer pops up.
Can I cook a frozen turkey breast in the oven?
Yes, it is completely safe and even USDA-approved to cook a turkey that has been frozen or partially frozen. When thawing and cooking turkeys, we try to get it out of the dangerous range of 40°F and 140°F as quickly as we can.
How do you cook a frozen turkey breast without thawing it?
Cooking a frozen turkey from scratch will take between 1.5 and 2 times as long. Preheat oven to 325. Turkey should be unwrapped, then placed breast-down on roasting pan. Place in oven for 3 1/2 hours.
