Bring on the bird: Alabama Extension specialist offers tips on thawing, cooking Thanksgiving turkey

By: Justin Miller

Preparing the Thanksgiving turkey does not just happen overnight. There is a great deal of planning involved to have the bird properly thawed and cooked in time to hit the Thanksgiving table.

Thawing takes time
A lot of turkeys sold for Thanksgiving are frozen. Because of this, people must factor in enough time for the turkey to completely thaw. Janice Hall, a specialist with Alabama Cooperative Extension System’s federal nutrition programs, said people cooking a frozen turkey should plan for the cooking time to take at least 50% longer than recommended for a fully thawed turkey.

“It is critical that you monitor the internal temperature to ensure it reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit,” Hall said. “The turkey is basically thawing in the process of cooking, so make sure to set the oven temperature no lower than 325 degrees Fahrenheit. When in doubt, follow package directions for proper handling and cooking.”

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