If you're celebrating Thanksgiving, but forgot to thaw a frozen turkey in the fridge, don't panic. You can still cook frozen turkey in the oven to make a delicious and safe dish for everyone at home.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Thaw a Frozen Turkey in the Oven
Step 1. Remove the turkey from the refrigerator, then open the package
Use scissors to cut the protective netting and plastic from the turkey package. Do not take out the bag containing the offal inside.
Step 2. Place the turkey on the rack above the roasting pan
The turkey should be placed breast-side up on the rack in the roaster.
You'll need to use a roasting rack so that the heat in the oven circulates all over the turkey
Step 3. Preheat the oven to 163 °C
If there are multiple shelves in the oven, remove all but the third shelf from the bottom. That way, there's plenty of room to put the turkey.
Step 4. Place the frozen turkey in the oven and let it marinate for 2.5 hours
Do not open the oven to prevent the heat from escaping. After 2.5 hours, the turkey should have melted completely and turned golden brown.
Don't worry about the spices – the spices won't stick to the frozen turkey. You can season it later after the frozen turkey has thawed for a few hours in the oven
Step 5. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature of the turkey after it has been heated
Insert the thermometer into the chest or thigh, then wait a few seconds for the temperature to be read. At this point, the temperature of the turkey should be between 38-52 °C.
If the temperature is lower than 38-52 °C, put the turkey back in the oven and check every few minutes until the temperature is just right
Method 2 of 3: Wet and Season the Turkey
Step 1. Remove the bag of innards from the turkey
This bag containing the turkey's internal organs is usually inserted into the neck of the turkey by the seller. Once the turkey is partially thawed, you can remove all of the offal to discard or turn into a meat sauce.
Step 2. Apply 120 ml of melted butter to the surface of the turkey with a kitchen brush
Coating the turkey with butter will make it even more delicious. If you don't have butter, use olive oil.
Step 3. Season the turkey with salt and pepper
Sprinkle 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of salt and pepper, then add more if this isn't enough to coat the entire turkey. Sprinkle the seasoning over the turkey, then rub gently with your fingers.
You can also use a variety of other spices, such as rosemary, thyme, and sage
Method 3 of 3: Roast Turkey
Step 1. Roast turkey for 1.5-5 hours, depending on weight
The heavier the turkey is cooked, the longer you will need to roast it. You can find out the weight of a turkey by reading the label on the plastic wrap.
- 3, 6-5, 4 kg: bake for 1,5-2 hours.
- 5, 4-6, 4 kg: bake for 2-3 hours.
- 6, 4-9, 1 kg: bake for 3-4 hours.
- 9, 1-10, 9 kg: bake for 4-5 hours.
Step 2. Check the turkey every hour
When you're examining a turkey, check its temperature with a meat thermometer to make sure it's cooked through. You can also apply car butter or olive oil to add more delicacy. If the turkey looks burnt or looks too crispy, cover it with foil.
Step 3. Remove the turkey from the oven when it reaches 74 °C
The turkey is cooked and ready to serve at this temperature. Check the temperature of the turkey in several places with a meat thermometer to make sure the whole meat is fully cooked.
Check the center of the turkey with a thermometer as this is the part that takes the longest to cook
Step 4. Let the turkey rest for 30 minutes before serving
After 30 minutes, the turkey should be cool enough to slice and serve. Slice the turkey, then serve with the filling, mashed potatoes, and any other side dish you like.
