What do I do if my turkey is not fully thawed?

If There’s No Time to Thaw

If you’re up against the clock and have no time left for even the “quick” cold-water thaw, then just cook the turkey as it is. It’s perfectly safe to cook a frozen or partially frozen turkey — you just need to allow some extra cooking time.

Can you cook a turkey that is not fully thawed?

Yes, cooking a turkey from frozen or partially frozen is totally safe and is even USDA-approved. Whenever we’re thawing and cooking turkeys, our goal is to move it through the danger zone of 40°F to 140°F as quickly as possible.

What happens if you cook a partially thawed turkey?

Can You Cook a Partially Thawed Turkey? Yes, if you started the thawing process but the inside portions of the turkey remains icy and solid, you can still roast the turkey. You’ll just need to reduce the total cook time from frozen, depending on how thawed the turkey is when it goes into the oven.

How thawed does a turkey need to be?

You should allow a minimum of three days for a standard 12- to 15-pound bird to thaw. However, other factors, like the temperature of your fridge and your turkey’s location in that fridge, will affect how long it takes your turkey to actually thaw.

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

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). Keep the turkey wrapped, and occasionally check to see if the baking sheet or roasting pan needs to be drained.

Can you put turkey back in fridge after thawing in cold water?

It is safe to cook turkey thawed in cold water then put back in the fridge.

Can you cook a partially frozen turkey in a cooking bag?

Peel the plastic wrapper off the frozen turkey, put a tablespoon of flour or cornstarch inside the bag, shake the bag to distribute the powder, put the turkey inside, seal the bag, cut the recommended vents, and put it in a roasting pan at 350 degrees.

Can you cook a partially frozen turkey in an oven bag?

Use the right cooking method

Smoking uses temperatures that are generally too low and take too long to fully cook a frozen turkey, also increasing the risk of food poisoning. Oven bags aren’t recommended for frozen turkeys either.

Why change the water when thawing a turkey?

Changing of the water is done to prevent possible bacteria growth. Once the turkey is defrosted in water, it must be cooked immediately. Cold water thawing, while faster, requires much more preparation than refrigerator thawing.

How can I speed up thawing a turkey?

If you’re running short on time, you can speed up the thawing process with the cold water method: Simply submerge the frozen turkey, still in its packaging, in cold tap water, allowing about 30 minutes for every pound of turkey.

Do you cook a turkey at 325 or 350?

Roast in a 325° or 350° (depending on size of bird; see below) oven until thermometer registers 160°. If turkey is unstuffed, tip slightly to drain juices from body cavity into pan. Transfer turkey to a platter. Let stand in a warm place, uncovered, for 15 to 30 minutes, then carve.