Certainly, you can roast a frozen turkey! This recipe will come in handy if you don’t have time to thaw the turkey. With my recipe, you’ll learn how to roast a frozen turkey with ease, getting the juiciest, tender meat and a crispy skin. Also, learn how to make delicious Giblet gravy that your family and guests will love!.
For an 8 to 11-pound frozen turkey, this recipe is ideal! Roasting a frozen turkey may seem absurd to some, but the end result is a juicy, moist, and flavorful turkey.
This is so that the turkey will cook slowly and retain its juices while cooking on low heat. Slowly cooked meat is always tender in texture, and thats why youll love this recipe!.
This recipe, with its straightforward but tasty ingredients and simple instructions, will show you how to turn a frozen turkey roast into a spectacular centerpiece for your upcoming holiday meal or special occasion. Remember to sample my Easy Roast Chicken, Smothered Turkey Legs, and Butter Pecan Cake for dessert.
Absolutely! Cooking a frozen turkey in a roaster is a convenient and effective method, especially if you’re short on time or forget to thaw your turkey in advance. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to cook a frozen turkey in a roaster:
Preparation:
- Gather your supplies: You’ll need a roaster oven, an instant-read thermometer, electric roaster liners (optional but highly recommended for easy cleanup), and a large enough baking dish to hold the turkey.
- Choose your turkey: Opt for a fresh or frozen supermarket turkey, as they’re readily available and generally affordable. Consider the size based on the number of guests you’re expecting.
- Preheat your roaster oven: Set the temperature to “DEFROST” and preheat for about 20 minutes.
- Prepare the turkey: Unwrap the frozen turkey and place it on the roasting rack inside the roaster. Cover with the lid and allow it to defrost. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature periodically, aiming for the legs and thighs to reach between 90°F and 100°F. This may take around an hour.
Roasting:
- Remove the giblets and neck: Once the turkey is partially defrosted, remove the giblets and neck using tongs. Set them aside if you plan to make gravy.
- Prepare the herb butter mixture: In a small bowl, combine softened butter, fresh herbs (such as tarragon, rosemary, sage, and garlic), salt, and pepper.
- Season the turkey: Rub the herb butter mixture all over the turkey, including under the skin for extra flavor and moisture. Season the inside cavity with salt.
- Stuff the turkey (optional): If desired, stuff the turkey with an onion or your favorite stuffing recipe.
- Continue defrosting and roasting: Continue cooking the turkey in the “DEFROST” setting until the thighs and legs reach at least 130°F to 150°F and the breast is at least 50°F. This may take approximately 4 hours for a small turkey (under 17 lbs) and 6 hours for a larger turkey (about 23 lbs).
- Brush with olive oil: Once the turkey is defrosted, brush it with olive oil for added flavor and browning.
- Roast the turkey: Turn the temperature knob to 325°F and roast the turkey until the breast reaches at least 165°F and the legs and thighs reach at least 175°F. Check the temperature of the inside cavity as well, aiming for at least 165°F. Roasting time will vary depending on the size of the turkey. Generally, a smaller turkey will take about 2 more hours, while a larger turkey will take 1 more hour.
- Rest the turkey: Once the turkey is cooked, let it rest for at least 20 minutes before carving to allow the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful bird.
Tips:
- Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the turkey reaches the proper internal temperature for safe consumption.
- Avoid lifting the lid during the cooking process, as this will release heat and prolong the cooking time.
- Consider using electric roaster liners for easy cleanup.
- Baste the turkey with pan juices during the last 30 minutes of roasting for extra flavor and browning.
- Serve the turkey with your favorite sides and enjoy!
Additional Resources:
- The Easiest Way to Roast A Turkey – Even If It’s Frozen! (Ice Cream & Neon Dreams)
- YouTube Roaster Oven – No Thaw Turkey To Roaster Oven Jennüòä | Cooking a frozen turkey, Roaster recipes, Roaster ovens (Pinterest)
Remember, cooking a frozen turkey in a roaster is a convenient and effective method that can save you time and effort. By following these steps and tips, you can ensure a delicious and perfectly cooked turkey for your next gathering.
HOW TO MAKE
Step 1
Preheat your oven to 325F/165C. This will ensure that the turkey cooks evenly and thoroughly.
Step 2
Unwrap the turkey and place it in a roasting pan.
Step 3
Roast the turkey in the preheated oven for 2 ½ hours. It’s important to resist the temptation to open the oven door during this time.
Step 4
In a bowl, combine the butter and spice ingredients, ensuring that they are well mixed together.
Step 5
After 2 ½ hours, remove the turkey from the oven and place it on a clean cutting board. Use a pair of tongs to carefully pull out the giblets bag from the turkey’s cavity. Tilt the bird slightly to allow any excess juices in the cavity to drain out.
Step 6
Brush the turkey with the butter and spice mixture, coat the entire bird. This step adds flavor and helps to keep the turkey moist.
Step 7
Return the turkey to the oven and continue cooking for 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Step 8
Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the breast and both thighs. The breast should reach a temperature of 165F, and the thighs should reach 170F.
Step 9
Once the turkey has reached the appropriate temperatures, remove it from the oven. Place it on the counter and loosely cover it with aluminum foil. Allowing the turkey to rest for at least 30 minutes.
Step 10
After the resting period, it’s time to carve the turkey. Slice the meat carefully with a sharp knife, starting with the breast and working your way down to the thighs.
The Turkey Giblet Gravy
Step 1
In a large pan, Add the oil and butter. Add the giblets and fry until light brown.
Step 2
Add the minced garlic, diced onion, and chopped celery. Sauté the vegetables until the onion becomes translucent.
Step 3
Pour the hot water and let the giblets cook. It will take from one hour and a half to two hours. Strain the stock and keep it aside. Finely mince the giblets and keep them aside.
Step 4
Pour the Turkey drippings into a bowl. Wait for a few minutes for the oil and drippings to separate. Remove the fat from the drippings using a ladle. Do not discard it.
Step 5
In a pan, add three tablespoons from the dripping fat, and then add the flour. Cook on medium heat for two minutes.
Step 6
Pour in the giblet stock and the turkey drippings gradually while whisking (not the fat from the dripping) Allow the mixture to cook until it thickens to your desired consistency.
Step 7
Add the minced giblets and cook on medium heat for a minute or two. Serve with mashed potatoes and slices of Turkey.
Can I cook a frozen turkey in a roaster?
FAQ
Can a frozen turkey be cooked in an electric roaster?
Can you cook a frozen turkey without thawing?
Can you cook frozen meat in a roaster oven?
How long does it take to roast a frozen turkey?
For other sizes, a good guideline is to plan for the roasting time to be 50 percent longer than a fresh or thawed bird. So if it would normally take four hours to roast an unstuffed turkey, then it will take approximately six hours if it’s frozen. Step #1: Stick it in the oven. Preheat your oven to 325ºF.
Can you cook a frozen turkey in the oven?
Obviously, with the turkey frozen solid, you won’t be able to pull the bag of giblets out of the cavity. Don’t worry about it right now. Set the turkey on the rack and put it in the oven. Do not open the door of the oven for two hours. After two hours, you should be able to work your meat thermometer into the deepest part of the thigh.
Can you cook a turkey without defrosting it?
That’s right, you can make a delicious roast turkey without defrosting the bird ahead of time. Just pop the turkey in the oven for 2 hours while it’s still frozen and the oven will speed up the thaw time. Once it’s been defrosted you can clean out the giblets and season the turkey, then just roast it as usual.
How do you cook a Turkey in the oven?
Step #1: Stick it in the oven. Preheat your oven to 325ºF. Unwrap the turkey and place it on a rack in a shallow roasting pan or a baking sheet. You want a pan that has low sides so you can get good air circulation around the turkey. Place the turkey in the oven for two hours—and don’t peek. You want to keep as much heat in the oven as possible.