Fine Cooking Recipe

There are currently 9 responses to “Cooking the turkey from frozen, what's the best method?”

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1. 1 On August 8th, 2010, Proud to be 51 said:

   The turkey should be kept in its original wrapper during the thawing process and it should be placed on a platter to catch any juices that may leak from the package to avoid possible contamination to other food in the refrigerator. Thawing the bird in the refrigerator may require several days, especially if the turkey is a large size, but it is absolutely the safest method for thawing. The cool temperature of the refrigerator (usually no higher than 40°F) discourages the growth of harmful organisms in the turkey as it thaws. An approximate 24 hours for every 5 pounds should be allowed to properly thaw the turkey. The required time may vary because of the individual temperature settings of different refrigerators.

   Recommended Refrigerator Thawing Time

   8 to 12 pound frozen turkey Allow 2 to 3 days
   13 to 16 pound frozen turkey Allow 3 to 4 days
   17 to 20 pound frozen turkey Allow 4 to 5 days
   21 to 24 pound frozen turkey Allow 5 to 6 days

   After you thaw it using the method above, cook it with the instructions on the link from the person answering above me.

2. 2 On August 8th, 2010, XOXO said:

   put it in the fridge to thaw out

3. 3 On August 8th, 2010, Nicole S said:

   i usually put it in the fridge a day ahead of time to thaw…and then cook it!

4. 4 On August 8th, 2010, chris m said:

   You’ll have to defrost the turkey first and then the best way is to preheat the oven for 10 to 15 minutes and then cook it according to the instructions on the packet!

5. 5 On August 8th, 2010, madderthanthehatter said:

   The danger with frozen turkey is that you have to be careful unthawing it and then cooking it. If unthawed unproperly it can lead to infection.

   After that, there are a number of recipes, see the url below on how to safely unthaw it.

   I love leftover turkey sandwiches, save some of that bird for me!!!!!

6. 6 On August 8th, 2010, Generation Z said:

   well there are thousands of ways but first thaw it out, rub under the skin with butter and minced garlic with italian parsley place the bird breast side down and bake according to the instructions, i like to bake at 400 for 30 minutes then back it down to about 300 and slow bake it, time depends on the size of bird….good luck
   But the best way prepare the same way and deep fry it……

7. 7 On August 8th, 2010, mighty_mom said:

   let it thaw the night before you plan to cook it. rinse it well and rub it with salt. rinse again, make sure you remove the gizzard bag. preheat your oven to 325. rub your turkey with butter or margarine, front and back. sprinkle with salt.
   i usually cook my turkey breast side down (retains moisture) for the first three to four hours. covering with a foil tent.
   for the last two hours flip the bird onto its back, recover for one hour… then uncover for last hour to brown.
   remember to baste turkey regularly.
   *cooking time depends on turkey size.

8. 8 On August 8th, 2010, Rebecca L said:

   You NEVER want to cook a frozen turkey. It’s too hard to be sure that you’ve heated a frozen bird through long enough to kill all the salmonella bacteria it could be carrying. That’s because turkeys are such big birds. Sorry, you need to thaw it and THEN cook it. (Thawing it in the fridge for two or three days in the original wrapper is considered the safest.)

9. 9 On August 8th, 2010, Blue Sage Badger said:

   If you try to cook a frozen turkey, you better start now! There is no way it will be done in one day.
   If you purchase a frozen turkey, place it in the refrigerator a couple of days before Thanksgiving & allow it to thaw all the way. Then on Thanksgiving, cook as usual.
   You wouldn’t be able to even season a frozen turkey properly.

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