You can buy a frozen turkey anytime, but make sure you have enough freezer space. Fresh turkeys are bought a day or two before you plan on cooking it.


Buy the size you need:






What Size Turkey to Purchase
Type of Turkey Pounds to Buy
Whole bird 1 pound per person
Boneless breast of turkey 1/2 pound per person
Breast of turkey 3/4 pound per person
Prestuffed frozen turkey 1 1/4 pounds per person – keep frozen until ready to cook



Thawing the turkey from frozen:



In the refrigerator - Place frozen turkey (still in the package) in the refrigerator. Allow approximately 24 hours per 4 to 5 pounds of turkey. You can store a thawed turkey in the refrigerator for 1-2 days.





Thawing Time in the Refrigerator
Size of Turkey Number of Days
4 to 12 pounds 1 to 3 days
12 to 16 pounds 3 to 4 days
16 to 20 pounds 4 to 5 days
20 to 24 pounds 5 to 6 days



Thawing in cold water:

If you forget to thaw the turkey or don't have room in the refrigerator for thawing you can easily thaw it in cold water instead. You can submerge the turkey in cold water and change the water every 30 minutes. Allow about 30 minutes defrosting time per pound of turkey. The following times are suggested for thawing turkey in water. Cook immediately after thawing.







Thawing Time in Cold Water
Size of Turkey Hours to Defrost
4 to 12 pounds 2 to 6 hours
12 to 16 pounds 6 to 8 hours
16 to 20 pounds 8 to 10 hours
20 to 24 pounds 10 to 12 hours


Preparation

The day before the big meal:


Check your supplies, as you will need a roasting (large enough for your turkey) and a food thermometer. Do not stuff the turkey until you are ready to cook it.

The day of the big meal:


If you choose to stuff your turkey, stuff loosely. The stuffing should be moist, not dry, since heat destroys bacteria more rapidly in a moist environment. Place a stuffed turkey in oven immediately.
Cooking times for turkeys are listed on the chart below and are for a fresh or thawed turkey in an oven at 325 °F. These times are approximate.

Timetables for Roasting a Whole Turkey
(325 °F oven temperature)





Cooking Time — Unstuffed
Size of Turkey Hours to Prepare
8 to 12 pounds 2 3/4 to 3 hours
12 to 14 pounds 3 to 3 3/4 hours
14 to 18 pounds 3 3/4 to 4 1/4 hours
18 to 20 pounds 4 1/4 to 4 1/2 hours
20 to 24 pounds 4 1/2 to 5 hours




Cooking Time — Stuffed
Size of Turkey Hours to Prepare
8 to 12 pounds 3 to 3 1/2 hours
12 to 14 pounds 3 1/2 to 4 hours
14 to 18 pounds 4 to 4 1/4 hours
18 to 20 pounds 4 1/4 to 4 3/4 hours
20 to 24 pounds 4 3/4 to 5 1/4 hours



Use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of the turkey.

A whole turkey is safe cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165 °F throughout the bird. Check the internal temperature in the innermost part of the thigh and wing and the thickest part of the breast. All turkey meat, including any that remains pink, is safe to eat as soon as all parts reach at least 165 °F. The stuffing should reach 165 °F, whether cooked inside the bird or in a separate dish.

When turkey is removed from the oven, let it stand 20 minutes. Remove stuffing and carve turkey.