Question: Do you cook a turkey frozen or thawed?

Thawed turkeys require about 15 minutes of cook time for every pound of meat. With a frozen turkey, you need at least 50 percent longer, or about 22 ½ minutes per pound. A 12-pound turkey, which would cook in about three hours if it’s fully thawed, now requires 4 ½ hours.

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 happens if you cook a turkey before its thawed?

This means that even if the inside of your turkey is still frozen, once the outside thaws to above 40°F, it’s in the danger zone. Even cooking your turkey thoroughly in the oven doesn’t guarantee that the turkey is safe to eat — most bacteria will be destroyed, but the illness-causing toxins remain.

When should I thaw my turkey?

When thawing a turkey in the refrigerator, allow 24 hours of defrosting time for every 4 to 5 pounds of bird, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. So, if the turkey weighs 4 to 12 pounds, plan for it to defrost in the fridge for one to three days.

How long should I cook a frozen turkey?

Calculate your roasting time.



Thawed turkeys require about 15 minutes of cook time for every pound of meat. With a frozen turkey, you need at least 50 percent longer, or about 22 ½ minutes per pound. A 12-pound turkey, which would cook in about three hours if it’s fully thawed, now requires 4 ½ hours.

Can you cook a frozen turkey without thawing?

Answer: Yes — you can roast a frozen turkey in the oven without defrosting it first, says the U.S. Department of Agriculture. You shouldn’t grill, smoke, deep-fry or microwave a frozen turkey. … The same-sized frozen turkey would take about 4 ½ to 5 hours to cook.

Can you leave a turkey out to thaw overnight?

Do not thaw your turkey on the counter.



It will be totally fine chillaxing on the counter overnight.

Can you leave a turkey out to thaw?

Never thaw at room temperature. To thaw your turkey in the refrigerator: … Leave turkey in your refrigerator until fully thawed. It may be kept in the fridge up to 4 days after thawing before cooking, but the sooner you cook it, the better for freshness—and so you can reclaim some space in your fridge.

How long does it take a 20 pound turkey to thaw in the refrigerator?

Fridge-Thawing Your Bird



Here’s the calculation: plan on 24 hours of fridge thawing for every 5 pounds of frozen turkey (for example: budget 4 full days of thawing in the fridge for a 20-pound turkey).

How do you cook a frozen turkey overnight?

Set a rack in a roasting pan, fill the pan with about a quart of water, arrange the turkey breast-side up on the rack, and wrap the pan tightly in aluminum foil. Roast the turkey while you sleep and get ready in the morning (as long as 9-11 hours).

How do you thaw and cook a turkey?

Cold Water Thawing

1. Thaw turkey breast side down, in an unopened wrapper, with enough cold water to cover your turkey completely.
2. Change water every 30 minutes and if turkey cannot be completely covered, rotate every 30 minutes to keep the turkey chilled.
3. Estimate a minimum thawing time of 30 minutes per lb of turkey.