How to Cook a Frozen Turkey
Forgot to thaw your turkey? No worries! You can roast a turkey straight from frozen in the oven. It takes longer than cooking a thawed turkey, but with a few simple steps and a meat thermometer, you can still serve a delicious Thanksgiving dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 whole frozen turkey unstuffed
- 2 –4 tablespoons butter or olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 –2 teaspoons garlic powder optional
- 1 –2 teaspoons dried herbs such as thyme, rosemary, or poultry seasoning (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven. Heat the oven to 325°F. Do not lower the temperature to compensate for the extra cooking time.
- Prepare the turkey. Remove the outer packaging. Place the frozen turkey breast-side up on a rack inside a shallow roasting pan. Do not try to remove the neck or giblets while the cavity is still frozen.
- Begin roasting. Place the turkey in the preheated oven and roast until the outside has thawed enough to loosen the neck and giblets.
- Remove the giblets. Carefully use tongs to remove the neck and giblets once they are accessible. If the giblets are in a plastic bag that has melted or changed shape, do not use the giblets or the turkey; follow USDA food-safety guidance.
- Season the turkey. Once the skin has thawed enough, carefully brush the turkey with melted butter or olive oil. Season with salt, pepper, and any optional herbs or spices.
- Continue roasting. Return the turkey to the oven and continue cooking until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Check the thickest part of the breast and the innermost thigh and wing, avoiding the bone.
- Rest and carve. Remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for at least 20 minutes before carving.
Notes
Plan for extra time: A frozen turkey takes at least 50% longer to cook than a fully thawed turkey. Cooking times are estimates; always use a food thermometer.
Keep it unstuffed: Do not cook stuffing inside a frozen turkey. Prepare stuffing separately.
Use the oven only: Do not deep-fry, grill, smoke, or slow-cook a turkey from frozen.
Skip the oven bag: Do not use an oven cooking bag when roasting a frozen turkey.
Need thawing instructions instead? See my guide to How to Thaw a Turkey.