If its Thanksgiving morning and youre reading this with a frozen turkey on the counter, let me put your fears to rest: Yes, you can cook a frozen turkey. And yes, it will taste just as delicious as the thawed turkey youd use for any traditional Thanksgiving turkey recipe. You may still have time to defrost the turkey. But by this point, dont you just want a fully cooked and delicious turkey on the table? Cooking the turkey without thawing it doesnt sacrifice flavor, so why not just go for it? I can teach you how to cook a frozen turkey! Ive done it—and its not as hard as it sounds.
Cooking a frozen turkey may seem challenging, but with some simple preparation and seasoning techniques, you can achieve a moist, flavorful bird that will be the centerpiece of your holiday table. Proper seasoning is key to getting the best flavor out of your turkey, whether you are working with a fresh or frozen bird. Follow this step-by-step guide to learn tips for seasoning a frozen turkey from start to finish.
Thaw First for Better Seasoning Penetration
While it is safe to cook a turkey directly from the freezer, you will get much better seasoning and flavor penetration if you thaw it first. There are a few easy methods to safely thaw a turkey:
- Place the turkey in the refrigerator 2-3 days before cooking. This is the safest approach, allowing approximately 24 hours thawing time per 4-5 pounds of turkey.
- Submerge the wrapped turkey in a sink or large container filled with cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes. Allow about 30 minutes thawing time per pound.
- Thaw the turkey in the microwave if it is small enough to fit, following manufacturer instructions carefully. Frequently check and rotate the turkey during microwaving.
Partially or fully thawing the turkey helps seasonings really get down into the meat for maximum flavor impact.
Prep the Turkey for Seasoning Application
Once thawed (or if cooking from frozen), prepare your turkey for seasoning:
- Remove the bag containing the giblets and neck from the inner cavity. Rinse the cavity thoroughly with cold water.
- Pat the turkey dry all over, inside and out, with paper towels. Getting rid of excess moisture allows for better browning.
- Use your fingers to gently loosen the skin from the breast meat, being careful not to tear it. This allows seasoning under the skin.
- Tuck the wing tips under the body and tie the legs together securely with kitchen string. This helps promote even cooking.
Select Your Seasonings
Choosing the right seasonings is vital for getting the best flavor. Consider using:
- Herbs and spices: Fresh or dried sage, thyme, rosemary, oregano, garlic, onion, salt, pepper, paprika, chili powder, cumin, ginger.
- Oils and fats: Olive oil, vegetable oil, butter.
- Fruits and vegetables: Lemons, oranges, onions, garlic, shallots.
- Other flavor components: Wine, broth, honey, maple syrup, soy sauce, vinegar.
Choose seasonings that will complement your planned side dishes. A simple salt and pepper rub also lets the natural turkey flavor shine.
Get Seasoning into All the Crevices
To evenly distribute seasoning over the entire surface you need to get into all the nooks and crannies
- Under the skin: After loosening the skin, rub seasoning mixtures directly onto the breast meat before replacing the skin.
- Inside the cavity: Stuff the cavity with aromatics like onion, garlic, herbs, and citrus before rubbing the inside with oil or butter.
- On the skin: Brush or pat on oil or melted butter, then apply a dry spice rub. Press the rub into any crevices.
- On the underside: Season the underside and back of the turkey too.
Let It Marinate Overnight
For best flavor integration, season the turkey the day before roasting:
- Pat the turkey completely dry inside and out. Coat all over with oil or butter.
- Generously apply seasoning under the skin and inside the cavity.
- Rub your favorite spice blend or herbs all over the skin. Press seasonings into crevices.
- Tightly wrap turkey and refrigerate 8-12 hours.
Letting it marinate overnight allows seasonings to evenly penetrate for incredibly flavorful meat.
Cook, Rest, and Carve the Seasoned Turkey
Roasting times will vary based on turkey size and whether it was thawed or still frozen. Refer to [insert website/source] for detailed cooking instructions.
After roasting, let the turkey rest at least 20 minutes before slicing to allow juices to reabsorb for tender, flavorful meat. Carve and enjoy your succulent, well-seasoned turkey!
Avoid These Common Seasoning Mistakes
When seasoning a turkey be sure to avoid these pitfalls
- Not patting the turkey fully dry before seasoning. Wet skin won’t crisp or take seasoning properly.
- Forgetting to loosen the skin and apply seasoning underneath as well as on top.
- Only seasoning just before cooking. Seasonings need time to penetrate and impart flavor.
- Uneven coverage of seasoning. Make sure to coat all surfaces thoroughly.
- Using dried out, old spices and herbs. Use fresh whenever possible.
Creative Seasoning Flavor Profiles to Try
Experiment with these seasoning ideas to liven up your holiday bird:
- Simple Herb: Olive oil, salt and pepper, sage, thyme, rosemary, onion, garlic
- Indian-Spiced: Yogurt, garam masala, ginger, turmeric, coriander, cumin, chili powder
- Mediterranean: Lemon, olive oil, oregano, basil, garlic, shallots, smoked paprika
- Tex-Mex: Lime juice, chili powder, cumin, garlic, cilantro
- Asian Fusion: Soy sauce, five-spice powder, ginger, garlic, sesame oil
With some advance planning and proper technique, you can achieve a richly flavored, golden turkey on your table even starting with a frozen bird. Have a very happy and flavorful holiday meal!
Cooking Times for Frozen 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
- 18- to 20-pound turkey: 6 hours and 45 minutes to 7 hours and 30 minutes
- 20- to 24-pound turkey: 7 hours and 30 minutes to 7 hours and 45 minutes
Is it safe to cook a frozen turkey?It’s safe to roast a frozen turkey in the oven, but you shouldn’t try to fry one. The frozen bird will release liquid as the ice melts, which can lead to a dangerous boil-over situation. We also don’t recommend trying to make a
- 1 frozen turkey (12 to 14 pounds)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
How to Cook a Frozen Turkey: Easy, Step-by-Step Guide!
FAQ
How do you season a frozen turkey?
Season the turkey: Brush the turkey with melted butter. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and any other seasonings you’d like to use. Rub in the spices with your fingers. Tip the turkey to pour out any juices: Juices tend to collect inside the cavity of the turkey as they melt.
How do you keep frozen turkey moist?
Basting helps turkeys stay moist and full of flavor. The only downside to basting is that you have to open the oven each time you do it, lowering the overall temperature when you do so. If you decide to baste your turkey, only do so twice at evenly spaced intervals during your entire cooking process.
Do you cook a frozen turkey covered or uncovered?
Do you cook a turkey covered or uncovered? You should cook your turkey uncovered. The moisture at the bottom of the roasting pan will keep it from burning. If you don’t want super crispy skin, feel free to cover the turkey in the last hour of cooking.
Can You Thaw a frozen turkey?
“These turkeys are safe because they have been processed under controlled conditions,” the organization says. However, y ou should never thaw a frozen pre-stuffed turkey. Instead, follow the package instructions and cook straight from frozen. It’s easy to cook a frozen turkey, even if you forgot to thaw it!
Do You season a Turkey before deep frying?
An important step in deep frying a turkey is properly seasoning it. The right combination of herbs, spices and rubs will take your deep fried turkey from good to incredible. Here is a guide on how to perfectly season a turkey before deep frying for maximum flavor.
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.
Can You Thaw a frozen turkey in the microwave?
To thaw a frozen turkey in the microwave: The USDA recommends ensuring that your turkey will fit in the microwave first. Then, use the manufacturer guidelines to thaw for about 6 minutes per pound. “Plan to cook it immediately after thawing because some areas of the food may become warm and begin to cook during microwaving.
What is the best seasoning for deep fried turkey?
The possibilities are endless when it comes to seasonings for deep fried turkey. Here are some of the most popular and effective options: Cajun seasoning – The bold Cajun flavors like garlic, paprika and cayenne suit deep frying. Onion and garlic powder – These basic spices enhance overall flavor.