Have you ever gotten up on a Thanksgiving or holiday morning to find your turkey isn’t completely thawed, or worse yet, you forgot to take it out of the freezer? As you sit there wondering how you can get the turkey thawed out in time, one thought will surely cross your mind, because it’s crossed all of ours when we’re in this situation: Can I cook it frozen?
The simple answer is YES. Keep reading to find out how to roast a frozen turkey.
The first thing you have to realize is that at this moment you are in damage control mode, so don’t even begin to think about how to inject your secret seasoning blend into it or figure out how to stuff it with grandma’s cornbread stuffing. Remember, this isn’t about putting the best turkey you’ve ever eaten on the table, it’s about getting a delicious, cooked turkey on the table.
Cooking a large frozen turkey for your holiday feast? Proper thawing and roasting times are key to turning out a juicy, delicious bird. Follow this detailed guide for tips on safely thawing, preparing, calculating roast times, and determining doneness when cooking a 25 pound frozen turkey.
Thawing a Frozen 25 Pound Turkey
For even cooking and food safety, you must fully thaw your frozen turkey before roasting. Here are the recommended thawing methods:
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Refrigerator thawing Allow 24 hours of thawing time per 4-5 pounds of turkey, So a 25 pound turkey will need around 5-6 days thawing in the refrigerator Place the turkey on a tray or pan to catch any drips
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Cold water thawing: Submerge the wrapped turkey in a sink or tub of cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes. Allow about 30 minutes per pound of turkey. A 25 pound turkey will need around 12-13 hours to thaw using this cold water method.
Do not thaw the turkey at room temperature or in hot water, This allows bacteria to grow rapidly Only use the refrigerator or cold water thawing methods
Preparing the Thawed Turkey
Once fully thawed, get your 25 pound turkey ready for roasting:
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Remove the bag of giblets and neck from the inner cavities Rinse the turkey inside and out with cold water Pat dry with paper towels,
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Rub the skin all over with vegetable or olive oil. Generously season the inside cavity and outer skin with salt and pepper.
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Lightly stuff the cavity if desired. For food safety, cook stuffing in a casserole dish on the side.
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Tie the drumsticks together with kitchen string or twine. Tuck the wing tips under the body.
Calculating Roast Times
The total roasting time for a 25 pound frozen turkey will be around 7 to 8 hours. Here are estimated roasting times to use as a guide:
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20-24 pound turkey: Roast at 300°F for 7 to 7.5 hours.
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If stuffed, add 30-45 minutes to the total roast time.
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Check the internal temperature after 6 hours. Continue roasting until the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165°F.
Ensuring Proper Doneness
Don’t rely on roast times alone to determine doneness. Use these methods to confirm your turkey is fully cooked:
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Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, avoiding the bone. It should read 165°F.
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Check the center of the stuffing with a thermometer. Stuffing should reach 165°F.
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Juices should run clear when pierced with a knife in the thickest part of the thigh.
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The drumsticks should rotate easily in their sockets.
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Slice the thickest part of the breast and check that no pink meat remains.
Letting the Turkey Rest
Once the turkey reaches the safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F, remove it from the oven. Loosely cover with aluminum foil and let rest for 30-40 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to reabsorb into the meat.
Carving and Serving the Roast Turkey
After ample resting time, use a sharp carving knife to slice the turkey. Make thin slices against the grain of the breast meat. Arrange the sliced meat on a platter with stuffing and gravy. Serve immediately while hot and moist.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Store leftover turkey carved from the bone in shallow airtight containers. Refrigerate and use within 3-4 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave until hot, 165°F minimum. Frozen turkey keeps 3-4 months.
Tips for Roasting a Juicy 25 Pound Bird
Cooking a large 25 pound holiday turkey may seem daunting, but it just takes some preparation. Allow plenty of thawing time for a frozen turkey. Then roast at a low temperature until it reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F. Letting it rest before carving is also vital. Follow these guidelines for a tender, flavorful turkey feast the whole family will love.
Step #2: Take your first temperature.
After two hours, the legs and thighs should be nicely thawed and around 90 to 100 degrees. The breast will be thawed about an inch or more deep but will be cooler than the thighs. If you’d like to, you can brush the outside with butter or oil and season with salt and pepper.
Often when a turkey is packaged, they will put the bag of giblets not in the cavity but in the neck area of the bird. By this point that area of the turkey should be thawed enough to remove it. The cavity should still be partially frozen so if a bag is in there don’t try to pull it out yet. There may also be liquid in the cavity you will want to remove with a baster. Don’t pour it over the turkey, though; just reserve it in a glass bowl or measuring cup and use it to make gravy.
Before you put the turkey back in the oven, brush the outside with butter or oil and season with salt and pepper, if desired. Return turkey to the oven and roast another hour.
If the bag holding the giblets is plastic you need to be sure to remove it long before it starts to melt. If it does melt at all, you will need to throw the bag away as well as the turkey. Harmful chemicals will be released into the turkey if it melts.
Step #3: Remove the giblets and neck.
After three hours, the cavity should be thawed enough to remove the bag of giblets and the neck. (See the warning above.) Remove any liquid or ice chunks that are in the cavity.
The thighs and legs should be around 130-150ºF, and the breast will be around 50-60ºF degrees. Brush with additional butter or oil, or baste with pan drippings before returning to the oven for another 60-90 minutes.
How to Safely Thaw a Frozen Turkey
FAQ
Do you cook a frozen turkey at 325 or 350?
Roasting Frozen Turkey Preheat your oven to 325F/165C. This will ensure that the turkey cooks evenly and thoroughly. Unwrap the turkey and place it in a roasting pan. Roast the turkey in the preheated oven for 2 1⁄2 hours. It’s important to resist the temptation to open the oven door during this time.
Can you cook a frozen turkey without thawing?
The answer to one of the most common questions in the kitchen during the holidays is “yes.” Yes, it is possible to cook a frozen turkey without thawing it.Nov 16, 2022
How long to cook a frozen fully cooked turkey?
- 8- to 12-pound turkey: 4 hours to 4 hours and 30 minutes.
- 12- to 14-pound turkey: 4 hours and 30 minutes to 5 hours and 45 minutes.
- 14- to 18-pound turkey: 6 hours to 6 hours and 45 minutes.
When should I start thawing a 25 pound turkey?
For refrigerator thawing, you should plan for roughly one whole day for every four to five pounds your bird weighs. So, if you’re planning to enjoy your turkey on Thanksgiving Day, and it’s more than 24 pounds, you need to start the thawing process the Friday before Thanksgiving.
How long do you cook a 25 lb frozen turkey?
The total roasting time for a 25 lb frozen turkey will be about 7 to 8 hours. Use these time estimates as a guide: 20-24 lb turkey: Roast at 300°F for 7 to 7.5 hours. For a stuffed turkey, add 30-45 minutes to the roast time. Check temperature after 6 hours. Continue roasting until internal temp reaches 165°F in thigh and stuffing.
How long does it take to cook a 14 pound turkey?
For a 14 to 18 pound turkey, which would ordinarily require four hours of cooking time, you’ll need about 6 hours in the oven, plus another 30 to 45 minutes to rest afterward (the turkey, not you, although you’ll need a rest by then too). You’ll want to modify the cooking times if your turkey weighs less or more than that.
How long does it take to roast a 20 pound turkey?
For a 20- to 24-pound turkey, the University of Illinois Extension (UIE) estimates roasting time will take 4 1/2 to 5 hours for an unstuffed bird and 4 3/4 to 5 1/4 hours for a stuffed bird. (The USDA does not recommend stuffing a turkey unless you buy a frozen, pre-stuffed turkey.)
How do you cook a frozen turkey?
To cook straight from frozen: Start by unwrapping the turkey and set your oven temperature to 325 degrees. Place the turkey on a roasting pan and pop it in the oven—don’t worry about the bag of giblets quite yet! Once the turkey has been in the oven for 20 to 30 minutes, you can use a pair of tongs to carefully remove the packet of giblets.
How long does a 25 lb Turkey take to thaw?
About 30 minutes per pound of turkey. A 25 lb turkey will need 12-13 hours. Do not thaw at room temperature or in hot water. This allows bacteria to grow. Thaw in the fridge or cold water only. Once thawed, prepare your 25 lb turkey for roasting: Remove bag and giblets from the inner cavities. Rinse turkey inside and out with cold water. Pat dry.
How do you cook a 25 lb Turkey?
Dissolve 1 cup salt per 1 gallon water, submerge turkey 12-24 hrs. Allow 13 minutes per pound at 350°F for stuffed or unstuffed birds. A 25-lb turkey needs ~5 hrs 15 mins. Use a roasting rack in a pan. Tent loosely with foil halfway, then remove foil to brown the skin. Baste every 30 minutes with pan juices.