8 Things You Need To Know Before Buying A Frozen Turkey
Americans spend over $1 billion on turkeys for Thanksgiving, buying nearly 400 million pounds of the bird in November. Frozen turkeys are a popular choice because they allow you to do more of your shopping ahead of time. Managing an entire Thanksgiving dinner can be stressful, so if you want to pick up the bird days beforehand, we're all for it.
But here's the thing: Dealing with a frozen turkey is way different than preparing a fresh bird. To make the best turkey possible, brush up on the do's and don'ts of frozen turkeys.
1. You can buy them way ahead of time.
With a frozen bird, you don't have to worry about the sell-by date as much as with fresh turkey. Most people pick up their turkey one week or more before Thanksgiving. An unopened, whole turkey will keep perfectly well in the freezer for up to two years.
2. You should keep it ice cold.
You want your turkey to be totally frozen up until it's cooked. Frost-free refrigerators aren't great for maintaining super-cold temperatures, which can lead to freezer burn. Just make sure it's stored in a spot where it'll freeze all the way through.
3. They're injected with a special solution.
When you buy a frozen turkey, it's technically not 100% turkey. They often are injected with a basting solution of water, salt and spices—more of it than with fresh turkeys—to amp up the flavor and make the meat extra juicy.
4. Thaw it the right way.
If you have a big crowd coming over, you need to a big bird. Check out our handy chart about how much turkey to make.
We suggest 1 1/2 pounds of turkey per person—and adjust your prep timeline accordingly. You'll need to give yourself about 24 hours to thaw every four pounds of frozen turkey, so you might need to make room in the fridge a full week before Thanksgiving. A fridge-thawed turkey can stay in the fridge for one to two days before cooking.
To speed up the process, you can try cold-water thawing. Just put the turkey in a plastic bag and submerge it in cold tap water, changing the water every 30 minutes until thawed. It will take two to six hours for a four- to 12-pound bird, and up to 12 hours if your bird is between 20-24 pounds. Make sure to cook it immediately once thawed!
5. You CAN roast them frozen.
If you wake up on Thanksgiving morning and realize that your bird is still frozen, don't have a complete meltdown. Though we don't recommended it, you can roast a turkey while it's still frozen. The USDA ensures us that it's safe, but warns that the cooking time will take at least 50% longer than recommended for a fully thawed turkey...which might mean a super late dinnertime.
6. It's important to read the labels.
Beware that the labels on frozen turkeys can be confusing. Terms like "cage-free" and "hormone-free don't always mean anything. According to the USDA, raising turkeys in cages and using hormones on them are both prohibited in the U.S. If you're concerned with the wellbeing of your turkey, look for certifications like "certified humane," "global animal partnership," or "animal welfare approved."
7. There's a surprise inside.
If it's your first time cooking a whole bird, don't freak out when you see there's a mysterious package inside the cavity. Most frozen turkeys come with a bag containing the giblets, which are great for making gravy.
8. Some come pre-cooked and even pre-stuffed.
If you can't be bothered with prepping a turkey, you'll be glad to know there are alternatives for low-effort hosts as well. Track down a frozen, fully cooked turkey. it will only require thawing before serving. Or get a frozen, stuffed whole turkey with the bread stuffing already inside, which is designed to go straight from the freezer to the oven without thawing.
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