How long does it take to cook an unfrozen turkey?

This table from the USDA is based on a 325°F oven, and a fully defrosted or fresh bird. (For an unstuffed bird, we’re talking roughly 15 minutes per pound.) If you want to cook a frozen turkey, it will take at least 50 percent longer than the recommended times.

How long can you wait to cook a turkey after it’s thawed?

Thawing the turkey and the two-day rule



“Once a frozen turkey is thawed, it should be cooked within two days,” Hanes said. She said some people prefer a fresh turkey, so they should plan on waiting to pick it up from the store until one or two days before they plan to cook it.

Do you cook a turkey at 325 or 350?

Roast the turkey uncovered at a temperature ranging from 325°F to 350°F. Higher temperatures may cause the meat to dry out, but this is preferable to temperatures that are too low which may not allow the interior of the turkey to cook to a safe temperature.

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How long does it take to cook a 15 pound turkey thawed?

For instance, the typical roasting time for a 15-pound fully thawed unstuffed turkey would be about 3 to 3 ½ hours (assuming an oven temperature of 325° F). The same-sized frozen turkey would take about 4 ½ to 5 hours to cook.

How long does it take to cook a 20 pound turkey thawed?

How to Cook a Frozen Turkey

  1. 8-12 lbs turkey: 4-4 1/2 hours.
  2. 12-14 lbs turkey: 4 1/2-5 3/4 hours.
  3. 14-18 lbs turkey: 6-6 3/4 hours.
  4. 18-20 lbs turkey: 6 3/4-7 1/2 hours.
  5. 20-24 lbs turkey: 7 1/2- 7 3/4 hours.

Is it safe to eat a turkey frozen for 2 years?

How Long Can You Freeze Turkey? According to the Butterball Turkey Talk Line, you can keep a turkey stored in the freezer up to two years and it’s still safe to cook. Make sure your turkey is unopened. … For the best quality, the USDA recommends using the frozen turkey within the first year of storage.

Do you cook a turkey covered or uncovered?

To achieve that balance, the ideal is to let the bird spend time both covered and uncovered: We recommend covering your bird for most of the cooking time to prevent it from drying out, then removing the cover for the last 30 minutes or so to allow the skin to crisp.

Is it better to cook a turkey in a convection oven or regular oven?

Convection ovens use a fan to move the hot air around, so food cooks about 30 percent faster than it does in a conventional bake oven, which does not have a fan. … So, although a convection oven will cook faster, even a bake oven will work if the turkey is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165 degrees.

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Is it better to cook a turkey frozen or thawed?

Cooking a frozen turkey will take around 50 percent longer than cooking one that’s already been thawed. … This will ensure that the turkey stays above any liquid that may drain out, which would cause it to steam rather than roast. And it will cook more evenly on a shallow pan than one with high sides.

What if your turkey isn’t completely thawed?

If There’s No Time to Thaw



If you’re up against the clock and have no time left for even the “quick” cold-water thaw, then just cook the turkey as it is. It’s perfectly safe to cook a frozen or partially frozen turkey — you just need to allow some extra cooking time.

How can I keep my turkey moist?

For moist meat without the hassle of clearing fridge space to soak the bird in a vat of brining liquid, try a dry brine. Salting a turkey and letting it rest before roasting seasons it deeply and helps it retain moisture.

Should I start my turkey at a higher temperature?

I find it is best to start the turkey at a fairly high temperature (400°F), roast for about twenty minutes and then lower the heat to 350°F for the remainder of the cooking time.

How do you cook a frozen turkey overnight?

How to Cook a Turkey Overnight

  1. When you’re starting to think about going to bed, preheat your oven to somewhere between 170-180ºF. …
  2. Roast the turkey while you sleep and get ready in the morning (as long as 9-11 hours). …
  3. Remove the foil and take the turkey’s temperature with an instant-read thermometer.
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Should I unwrap turkey to thaw?

Refrigerator Thawing



Thaw turkey breast side up, in an unopened wrapper on a tray in the fridge (40 degrees F or below). Allow at least 1 day of thawing for every 4 lbs of turkey. Keep turkey in original wrapper and place on tray. Use turkey within 4 days after thawing.

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