How to Cook a Butterball Turkey from Frozen in 3 Easy Steps

Butterball: How to Cook a Frozen Turkey

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and that means it’s time to start thinking about cooking the turkey. If you’re like most people, you’ll be using a frozen turkey. But how do you cook a frozen turkey so that it’s juicy and delicious?

In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of cooking a frozen Butterball turkey. We’ll provide tips on thawing, brining, and cooking your turkey, so that you can enjoy a delicious and stress-free Thanksgiving dinner.

So, without further ado, let’s get started!

Step	Instructions	Time
1	Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).	15 minutes
2	Remove the turkey from the packaging and place it breast-side up on a roasting rack in a shallow roasting pan.	5 minutes
3	Pat the turkey dry with paper towels.	5 minutes
4	Rub the turkey with the butterball seasoning blend.	5 minutes
5	Pour 1 cup of water into the bottom of the roasting pan.	5 minutes
6	Cover the turkey loosely with aluminum foil.	5 minutes
7	Bake the turkey for 2 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).	2 hours
8	Remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for 15 minutes before carving.	15 minutes

Preparing the Turkey

Before you can cook a Butterball turkey from frozen, you need to prepare it by thawing it, removing the giblets, patting it dry, and applying butter under the skin.

Thawing the Turkey

The first step is to thaw the turkey. You can thaw it in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave.

* To thaw the turkey in the refrigerator, place it in a large roasting pan or baking dish. Cover the turkey with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator. Allow the turkey to thaw for 1 to 3 days, depending on its size.
* To thaw the turkey in cold water, place it in a large sink or container filled with cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes. Allow the turkey to thaw for 4 to 6 hours, depending on its size.
* To thaw the turkey in the microwave, place it in a microwave-safe dish. Cover the turkey with plastic wrap and cook on high for 5 minutes per pound. Allow the turkey to rest for 5 minutes before cooking.

Removing the Giblets

Once the turkey is thawed, you can remove the giblets. The giblets are the internal organs of the turkey, including the heart, liver, and gizzard.

To remove the giblets, first find the neck opening on the bottom of the turkey. Cut open the opening and reach inside to remove the giblets. Place the giblets in a bowl.

Patting the Turkey Dry

After removing the giblets, pat the turkey dry with paper towels. This will help to prevent the turkey from drying out during cooking.

Applying Butter Under the Skin

You can optionally apply butter under the skin of the turkey to help it brown and become more flavorful.

To apply butter under the skin, use your fingers to gently loosen the skin around the breast and thigh areas. Insert a butter knife under the skin and spread a thin layer of butter over the meat.

Cooking the Turkey

Once the turkey is prepared, you can cook it. You can cook the turkey in the oven, on the grill, or in a slow cooker.

Cooking the Turkey in the Oven

To cook the turkey in the oven, preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.

Place the turkey in a roasting pan and brush it with melted butter. Cover the turkey with aluminum foil and roast for 3 to 4 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cooking the Turkey on the Grill

To cook the turkey on the grill, preheat your grill to medium heat.

Place the turkey on the grill and cook for 3 to 4 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cooking the Turkey in a Slow Cooker

To cook the turkey in a slow cooker, place the turkey in a slow cooker and cover it with water. Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Checking the Turkey for Doneness

The best way to check the turkey for doneness is to use a meat thermometer. Insert the meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, avoiding the bone. The turkey is done when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cooking a Butterball turkey from frozen is a simple process. By following these steps, you can cook a delicious and flavorful turkey for your family and friends.

3. Carving the Turkey

Once your turkey is cooked, it’s time to carve it. Carving a turkey can seem daunting, but it’s actually quite simple. Just follow these steps:

1. Let the turkey rest for at least 30 minutes before carving. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making it more moist and flavorful.
2. Place the turkey on a cutting board breast-side up. Use a sharp knife to cut through the skin between the breast and the thigh.
3. Cut the legs off the turkey by cutting through the joint between the thigh and the body.
4. Cut the wings off the turkey by cutting through the joint between the wing and the body.
5. Remove the breast by cutting down the center of the breastbone.
6. Carve the breast meat by cutting parallel to the bone.
7. Carve the thigh meat by cutting along the bone.
8. Carve the wing meat by cutting along the bone.

Removing the Legs

To remove the legs from the turkey, start by cutting through the skin between the thigh and the body. Then, use a sharp knife to cut through the joint between the thigh and the drumstick. Finally, lift the leg up and away from the body to remove it.

Removing the Wings

To remove the wings from the turkey, start by cutting through the skin between the wing and the body. Then, use a sharp knife to cut through the joint between the wing and the breast. Finally, lift the wing up and away from the body to remove it.

Removing the Breast

To remove the breast from the turkey, start by cutting down the center of the breastbone. Then, use a sharp knife to cut around the breastbone, being careful not to cut into the meat. Finally, lift the breast up and away from the body to remove it.

Carving the Breast Meat

To carve the breast meat, start by cutting parallel to the bone. Cut thin slices of meat, cutting against the grain.

Carving the Thigh Meat

To carve the thigh meat, start by cutting along the bone. Cut thin slices of meat, cutting against the grain.

Carving the Wing Meat

To carve the wing meat, start by cutting along the bone. Cut thin slices of meat, cutting against the grain.

Tips for Carving a Turkey

* Use a sharp knife. A sharp knife will make the carving process much easier and will help to prevent the meat from tearing.
* Let the turkey rest for at least 30 minutes before carving. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making it more moist and flavorful.
* Carve the turkey on a cutting board. This will help to keep the mess contained.
* Carve the turkey in a warm environment. This will help to keep the meat from drying out.
* Serve the turkey immediately after carving. This will help to keep the meat warm and moist.

4. Storing Leftover Turkey

Once you’ve carved the turkey, you’ll need to decide how to store the leftovers. Here are a few tips for storing leftover turkey:

* Refrigerate leftover turkey within 2 hours of cooking. This will help to prevent the growth of bacteria.
* Store leftover turkey in an airtight container. This will help to keep the meat fresh.
* Label the container with the date and contents. This will help you to keep track of how long the turkey has been stored.
* Eat leftover turkey within 3-4 days. After 3-4 days, the turkey will start to lose its flavor and texture.

Refrigerating Leftover Turkey

To refrigerate leftover turkey, simply place it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. The turkey will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days.

Freezing Leftover Turkey

You can also freeze leftover turkey. To freeze leftover turkey, simply place it in an airtight container and store it in the freezer. The turkey will stay fresh for up to 6 months.

When thawing frozen turkey, it is important to thaw it slowly in the refrigerator. Thawing the turkey quickly in the microwave or on the counter can cause the meat to become tough and dry.

Carving a turkey and storing leftover turkey can seem daunting, but it’s actually quite simple. Just follow these tips and you’ll be sure to have a delicious and memorable Thanksgiving meal.

Q: How long do I cook a Butterball turkey from frozen?

A: The cooking time for a Butterball turkey from frozen depends on the size of the turkey. For a turkey that weighs 12 to 14 pounds, you will need to cook it for 3 1/2 to 4 hours. For a turkey that weighs 15 to 17 pounds, you will need to cook it for 4 to 4 1/2 hours. For a turkey that weighs 18 to 20 pounds, you will need to cook it for 4 1/2 to 5 hours.

Q: What is the best way to thaw a Butterball turkey?

A: The best way to thaw a Butterball turkey is to place it in the refrigerator for 24 hours per pound. For example, a 12-pound turkey will take 3 days to thaw in the refrigerator. You can also thaw a turkey in a sink full of cold water. To do this, place the turkey in a large sink and fill it with cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes. A turkey will thaw in about 4 hours using this method.

Q: What temperature should I cook a Butterball turkey?

A: The recommended cooking temperature for a Butterball turkey is 350 degrees Fahrenheit. You should cook the turkey until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Q: How do I know when a Butterball turkey is done cooking?

A: There are a few ways to tell when a Butterball turkey is done cooking. First, you can check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also check the turkey by inserting a fork into the thickest part of the thigh. The juices should run clear when the turkey is done cooking. Finally, you can visually inspect the turkey. The skin should be golden brown and the meat should be white and juicy.

Q: What are some tips for cooking a Butterball turkey?

A: Here are a few tips for cooking a Butterball turkey:

* Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
* Rinse the turkey inside and out under cold running water.
* Pat the turkey dry with paper towels.
* Place the turkey in a roasting pan.
* Cover the turkey with aluminum foil.
* Cook the turkey until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
* Let the turkey rest for 15 minutes before carving.

Q: What are some common mistakes people make when cooking a Butterball turkey?

A: Here are some common mistakes people make when cooking a Butterball turkey:

* Not thawing the turkey completely.
* Cooking the turkey at too high of a temperature.
* Not covering the turkey with aluminum foil.
* Not letting the turkey rest before carving.

Q: What are some resources available to help me cook a Butterball turkey?

A: There are a number of resources available to help you cook a Butterball turkey. Here are a few:

* The Butterball Turkey Talk-Line: 1-800-BUTTERBALL
* The Butterball website: www.butterball.com
* Cooking magazines and cookbooks
* Online cooking tutorials

In this blog post, we have discussed how to cook a Butterball turkey from frozen. We have provided detailed instructions on how to thaw, brine, and roast your turkey. We have also included tips on how to make the most flavorful and juicy turkey possible.

We hope that this blog post has been helpful and that you enjoy your Butterball turkey this holiday season!

Here are some key takeaways:

* Thawing a frozen turkey in the refrigerator takes about 24 hours for every 5 pounds of turkey.
* Brining a turkey before roasting it will help to keep it moist and flavorful.
* Roasting a turkey at a low temperature (325 degrees Fahrenheit) for a long period of time will result in a juicy and flavorful bird.
* Baste the turkey frequently with melted butter or pan drippings to keep it moist.
* Let the turkey rest for at least 30 minutes before carving it to allow the juices to redistribute.

By following these tips, you can cook a delicious and juicy Butterball turkey that will be the star of your holiday feast!