Easily Cook a Frozen Turkey - Super Simple Recipe, Delicious Turkey! (2025)

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by Victoria 22 Comments

Learning how to cook a frozen turkey is a must have skill for any chef. You never know when you're going to forget (or run out of time) to thaw the turkey before dinner. With this easy recipe, you will be able to cook a frozen turkey to perfection in no time at all!

Easily Cook a Frozen Turkey - Super Simple Recipe, Delicious Turkey! (1)

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I'll be honest, since I discovered how to cook a frozen chicken, I don't even bother thawing my fowl before cooking it! That goes for the big turkey too!

Since I'm the one who normally makes Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner, this is a great recipe for me as it allows me to save counter and fridge space for other holiday recipes, instead of requiring me to thaw the turkey for days in advance.

With this recipe for how to cook a frozen turkey, I can simply take the turkey out of the freezer and have it straight into the oven within just a few minutes!

Even More Holiday Recipes:

Classic Southern Mashed Potatoes

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Homemade Marshmallows

Honey Glazed Ham

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!

Not to worry! It's super easy to cook a frozen turkey without thawing it first! There are no tricks, it's just a straightforward recipe that results in a delicious oven roasted turkey!

Step One:

Remove all packaging from the outside of the turkey and place breast-side up onto a roasting pan.

Step Two:

Pre-heat the oven to 325° and move the middle rack down to the bottom one-third of the oven.

Step Three:

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.

Step Four:

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.

Step Five:

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.

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

How to Cook a Frozen Turkey FAQ

Is is safe to cook a frozen turkey without thawing it first?
Absolutely! Since you will be roasting this very quickly, the bacteria growth range temperature will be exceeded quickly and before any bacteria can set in.

Do you need to use a thermometer or can you just go based on timing?
Since each turkey and oven is different, it really is crucial to use a thermometer while oven roasting a turkey; especially from frozen.

You need to be able to check multiple points of the turkey quickly to make sure that every part of the bird is at least 165°F before calling it ready.

Can I brine this turkey before cooking?
Brining and dry rubs cannot be done on a frozen turkey. You can however do a seasoned butter rub that is absolutely delicious!

However, if you have a traditional flavor that you are seeking to achieve, then you will likely want to plan on thawing your turkey before roasting.

Can I stuff the turkey if it's frozen?
For this type of oven roasted turkey, the cook time would be too long for the stuffing to really survive well. Also, the stuffing will actually slow down the turkey cooking process, causing the turkey to dry out before it fully reaches the safe temperature.

I recommend baking the stuffing separately and serving it on the side.

Does a frozen turkey actually taste good after it's cooked?
Yes! It's really delicious and the skin is nice and crispy, just like cooking it if it was thawed first.

Downsides to cooking a frozen turkey?
There are only 2 downsides that I can see:

1. If you normally use a rub or brine, you won't be able to with this method.

2. You can't tuck the wings under for that quintessential "gorgeous" turkey photo. However, that's not a huge deal-breaker for me!

Easily Cook a Frozen Turkey - Super Simple Recipe, Delicious Turkey! (2)

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!

4.58 from 26 votes

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Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: How to Cook a Frozen Turkey, Oven Roasted Turkey

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

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

Tried this recipe?Mention @AModHomestead or tag ##amodernhomestead!

More Holiday Recipe to Enjoy:

The Best Homemade Mashed Potatoes

Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe with Canning Instructions

Homemade Marshmallows

Einkorn Flour Pie Crust Recipe

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Donna LaDuke says

    Would you have any water in the bottom of the pan?

    Reply

    • Victoria says

      Hi Donna, I do not find this necessary, no. However, if you want to do that it would be fine, as long as the turkey is not in the water!

      Reply

  2. Carol Clevenger says

    Great! I have done this several times and it is the only way that I cook a turkey now!!

    Reply

  3. Russlyn says

    you mentioned to have the oven temperature at high325 . I didn’t think that that was a high temperature. I usually start at 375-400 for the first 2 hrs and then 350.

    Reply

    • Victoria says

      Hi Russlyn! If that works for you, then stick with it for sure! I like to do the 325 do be able to pull the giblets out early, and to keep the meat from getting too dry :-)

      Reply

  4. Evelyn says

    Thanks this really saved time today

    Reply

    • Victoria says

      Glad to hear it!

      Reply

  5. Tammy says

    Do you cover turkey with foil while cooking?

    Reply

    • Victoria says

      Hi Tammy! I do not, unless the skin starts to get darker than I want. The reason being that when you cover it the skin tends to get really soft, instead of that crispy texture that most people like. So it’s up to you!

      Reply

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Easily Cook a Frozen Turkey - Super Simple Recipe, Delicious Turkey! (2025)

FAQs

What is the best way to cook a frozen turkey? ›

Believe it or not, the process of cooking a frozen turkey is incredibly simple. Remove the wrapping and place your completely frozen turkey breast side up on a roasting pan. Cook on the middle or bottom rack of the oven at 325 degrees. The turkey will take longer to cook (at least 50% longer than thawed).

Can you cook a frozen turkey without thawing? ›

“Actually, from a food safety standpoint it's safer to cook the turkey when it's still frozen. A frozen turkey will not spread raw juices around the kitchen, will not waste water as you try to thaw it and will produce an excellent and juicy cooked product.”

How do you cook a frozen turkey breast in the oven? ›

Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Place the turkey breast on a roasting rack set inside a roasting pan. This allows the hot air to circulate around the turkey breast for even cooking. Cook the turkey breast for approximately 20 minutes per pound or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

Can you cook a frozen turkey in an oven bag? ›

You will have to turn the turkey so it thaws evenly. Another way to get the turkey cooking is to remove all plastic wrapping, put it in a roasting pan and place it in a 350 degrees Fahrenheit oven. Don't put a frozen turkey in a cooking bag because you will eventually need to remove the bag of giblets and the neck.

Should you wash a frozen turkey before cooking? ›

According to a study by the food safety experts at the USDA, washing or rinsing raw turkey can put you at risk of foodborne illness. There's only one time you should wash a raw turkey, and that is after brining. Otherwise, do not wash a turkey before cooking.

Do you cover a cook from frozen turkey? ›

Do not cover or add water. Use of foil or shiny pan can lengthen your cook time from suggested cook times above. Loosely cover the turkey with aluminum foil during last half hour to prevent skin from becoming too dark, if desired. Allow the turkey to stand for 15 minutes before carving.

What happens if you don't thaw a turkey? ›

It is perfectly safe to cook a turkey from the frozen state; it will just take longer to cook. A solidly frozen turkey will take at least 50 percent longer to cook than a thawed turkey. If your turkey is only partially frozen, remember that it will take a bit longer to cook.

What is the quick thaw method for frozen turkey? ›

In cold water

A faster thawing method is to submerge the frozen bird in cold water. You need to change the water every 30 minutes to be safe. While this method is faster, it still takes about 30 minutes per pound for complete thawing. Cook the turkey immediately after thawing.

Can you cook a frozen fully cooked turkey? ›

It is possible to cook a turkey from a frozen state—yes, really! And not only will it be thoroughly cooked, but it'll also be beautifully browned, moist, and delicious.

How many minutes per pound for a frozen turkey breast? ›

If you're looking to cook a frozen turkey breast in the oven, there are a few things you'll need to keep in mind. First, you'll need to allow for enough time to cook the turkey breast through. A good rule of thumb is to allow for about 30 minutes per pound of turkey.

Is it better to cook a turkey in a bag or not? ›

If you're aiming for an easy method to cook an extra juicy, tasty turkey with plenty of flavorful juices for gravy, oven bags are the best method. However, if you prefer crispy, roasted brown skin, you'll want to skip the oven bag and try using one of our other methods on how to cook a Thanksgiving turkey.

Can you leave turkey out overnight to thaw? ›

A package of frozen meat or poultry left thawing on the counter more than 2 hours is not at a safe temperature. Even though the center of the package may still be frozen, the outer layer of the food is in the "Danger Zone" between 40 and 140 °F — at a temperature where foodborne bacteria multiply rapidly.

What's the best way to cook a frozen turkey? ›

Cooking a Frozen Turkey Step-by-Step
  1. Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C).
  2. Remove the turkey from the wrapper and place on a v-shaped rack set over a sheet pan. ...
  3. Cook the turkey at 325°F (163°C) for about 2 to 2-1/2 hours.
Mar 17, 2023

Is it better to cook a turkey from frozen or fresh? ›

You may think it's a simple choice, but the fresh versus frozen debate is more than just temperature. It also involves how the turkey was raised, flavor, cost, time, and preparation. There is no right or wrong answer to the debate—it really just depends on what you prefer and what works best for your lifestyle.

What is the bag of liquid in a turkey? ›

Giblets generally include the liver, and can include the gizzard, neck, kidneys and heart. More often than not, your butcher may have already gathered them inside a little bag within the bird's cavity, which makes finding and using them considerably easier — just don't forget to remove the bag before cooking.

Is it best to defrost turkey before cooking? ›

Check the pack instructions to be sure, but an approximate thawing guide is 10-12 hours per kilogram in a fridge at 4°C. Always defrost in a fridge, not at room temperature. All Waitrose turkeys that have been frozen at home, or bought frozen, must be defrosted before they are cooked.

What is the safest method for thawing a whole frozen turkey? ›

Refrigerator Thawing (Recommended)

This is the safest method because the turkey will thaw at a consistent, safe temperature. This method takes some time, so allow one day for each 4 - 5 pounds of weight. If your turkey weighs 16 pounds, it will take about four days to thaw.

How to quickly thaw a turkey? ›

In cold water

A faster thawing method is to submerge the frozen bird in cold water. You need to change the water every 30 minutes to be safe. While this method is faster, it still takes about 30 minutes per pound for complete thawing. Cook the turkey immediately after thawing.

How long to thaw a 13 lb frozen turkey in the refrigerator? ›

How Long to Thaw a Turkey on One Easy-to-Use Chart
Turkey SizeThaw In Refrigerator (set to 40 F or below)Thaw In Cold Water (change water every 30 min.)
4 to 12 lbs.1 to 3 days2 to 6 hours
12 to 16 lbs.3 to 4 days6 to 8 hours
16 to 20 lbs.4 to 5 days8 to 10 hours
20 to 24 lbs.5 to 6 days10 to 12 hours
Oct 16, 2023

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