Cooking a frozen turkey breast can seem intimidating, but with the right techniques, it can turn out incredibly moist, juicy and flavorful. A frozen turkey breast is a great option for smaller holiday gatherings or weeknight dinners when you don’t need a whole bird.
In this comprehensive guide we’ll walk through everything you need to know to cook a frozen turkey breast from start to finish.
Why Choose a Turkey Breast Over a Whole Bird?
Opting for just the breast portion offers several advantages:
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Fewer leftovers – A 2-3 lb breast feeds 2-4 vs a 10 lb whole turkey.
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Faster cooking time – Boneless turkey breasts take only 2-3 hours to cook through.
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Easier preparation – No tricky trussing or multiple pieces to season and manage,
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All white meat – Ideal if you prefer white over dark turkey meat.
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No thawing required – Turkey breasts can cook straight from frozen.
Do You Need to Thaw a Frozen Turkey Breast?
The good news is that you can roast a frozen turkey breast without thawing! Brands like Butterball are specially formulated to cook from frozen.
Follow these tips:
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Keep frozen in original wrap until ready to cook,
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Do not remove metal trussing holding it together.
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Add 30-45 mins to cook time.
If thawing:
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Thaw breast in fridge 24-48 hours in packaging.
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Remove wrap, trussing, pat dry before cooking.
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Follow regular roast times.
Thawing lets you season under the skin but cooking from frozen works too.
How Long to Cook a Frozen Turkey Breast
Cook times vary based on size. Use these estimates:
- 1-2 lbs: Bake around 1.5 – 2 hours
- 3-4 lbs: Bake around 2.5 – 3.5 hours
- 5 lbs or more: Bake around 4 – 5 hours
Rely on a meat thermometer for doneness, not just time. Cook to an internal temp of 165°F. If frozen, add 30-45 mins.
Step-by-Step Guide to Roasting a Frozen Turkey Breast
Follow these simple steps for juicy roasted turkey breast:
Ingredients:
- Frozen turkey breast (1-5 lbs)
- Olive oil or butter
- Herb rub (poultry seasoning, rosemary, etc)
- Chicken broth or stock
Directions:
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Preheat oven to 325°F. Place breast on rack in roasting pan.
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Add 1-2 cups liquid to pan bottom. Brush turkey with oil or butter.
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If thawed, rub herbs under skin. Do not cover with foil.
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Roast for recommended time, checking often. Baste with pan juices if thawed.
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Use meat thermometer to check doneness. Cook to 165°F minimum.
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Let rest 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Tips for the Juiciest Results
Follow these handy tips:
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Brine breast 12-24 hours before roasting.
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Roast at 325°F for tender, juicy meat.
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Always use a meat thermometer, not just time.
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Baste thawed breasts every 30 minutes.
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Let breast rest 10+ minutes before slicing.
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Cut against the grain for tender bites.
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Make gravy from delicious pan drippings.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Steer clear of these errors:
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High roasting temperature dries out meat.
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Skipping the meat thermometer leads to overcooking.
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Forgetting to baste thawed breast removes moisture.
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Slicing before resting causes juices to run out.
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Carving with the grain makes meat stringy.
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Leaving on frozen metal trussing.
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Not elevating on a rack hinders air flow.
Alternate Cooking Methods
Beyond oven roasting, try these options:
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Slow cooker on low 6-8 hours.
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Grill over indirect heat for smoky flavor.
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Sous vide for ultra moist meat.
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Smoker with your favorite wood chips.
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Air fryer at 400°F for crispy skin.
Freezer Storage Tips
Store frozen turkey breast properly so it stays fresh:
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Leave breast in original wrap or rewrap tightly.
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Remove as much air as possible before sealing.
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Place flat in freezer bag to prevent freezer burn.
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Freeze immediately after purchasing.
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Avoid repeated freezing/thawing.
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Store frozen for 4-6 months.
Get Ready for Delicious Turkey
With the right techniques, cooking a frozen turkey breast results in tender, juicy meat full of flavor. Follow the step-by-step instructions and tips above for delicious results every time. From easy weeknight dinners to festive holiday meals, roasted turkey breast is sure to become a favorite!
Don’t Forget the Bag of Giblets!
Obviously, with the turkey frozen solid, you wont be able to pull the bag of giblets out of the cavity. Dont 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. What works best is the digital kind that you can set to alert you when your meat or poultry reaches its target temperature. Ideally the thigh will make it to 175 to 180 F, but for now, itll probably read 90 to 95 F.
Once you have the probe into the thigh, brush the skin with melted butter, season with salt and pepper and return it to the oven for another hour. By then you should be able to get the bag of giblets out. Fortunately these days it seems like they come wrapped in paper rather than plastic, but either way, you definitely dont want to leave it in there.
At the three-hour mark, the thigh reading should be around 140 F, but it depends on whether you got the thermometer all the way in or not. It can be tricky when its frozen, and you may not realize if youve hit bone.
Under normal circumstances, making multiple holes in a turkey with thermometers would not be recommended. But these are not normal circumstances.
Therefore, ideally, in addition to your probe thermometer, you will also have an instant-read thermometer. That way you can leave the probe thermometer in the thigh while using the instant-read thermometer to take temperature readings elsewhere, like the breast, and within the body cavity.
Properly Thawing a Frozen Turkey Can Take Days
Every year we encourage readers to plan ahead to allow adequate time for their frozen turkey to defrost. Judging by how popular the article is, its a topic that a lot of readers wonder about.
Unfortunately, many of those readers seem to be finding the piece on Thanksgiving morning, at which point its too late to use any of the methods the article describes.
Thats because the only safe way to properly defrost a frozen turkey is in the refrigerator, which, depending on how big your turkey is, can actually take several days—up to five days for a 20-pound bird.
If you try to speed up the process or use a technique that isnt safe, you risk turning your turkey into a bacteria bomb that could end up making a lot of people sick.
With that in mind, if you wake up Thanksgiving morning and your turkey is a solidly frozen boulder, you might start thinking youre going to have to order take-out, or maybe reschedule Thanksgiving for Saturday.
Simple Oven Roasted Turkey Breast
FAQ
Can you cook a turkey breast from frozen?
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Longer cooking time:Expect the cooking time to be at least 50% longer than if you thawed the turkey breast first.
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Lower oven temperature:Most experts recommend cooking a frozen turkey breast at a lower oven temperature (around 325°F) to ensure the outside doesn’t overcook before the inside is fully cooked.
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Use a meat thermometer:Always use a meat thermometer to check for doneness, aiming for an internal temperature of 165°F.
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May not be as flavorful:Since you can’t brine or heavily season a frozen turkey breast before cooking, the flavor might be less intense compared to a thawed one.
How long can you cook a frozen turkey without thawing?
Cooking Times for Frozen Turkey
8- to 12-pound turkey: 4 hours to 4 hours and 30 minutes. 12- to 14-pound turkey: 4 hours and 30 minutes to 5 hours and 45 minutes. 14- to 18-pound turkey: 6 hours to 6 hours and 45 minutes. 18- to 20-pound turkey: 6 hours and 45 minutes to 7 hours and 30 minutes.
Do you have to thaw turkey breast before cooking?
“Actually, from a food safety standpoint it’s safer to cook the turkey when it’s still frozen.
How do you cook a frozen turkey for beginners?
- Heat oven to 325oF.
- Remove all packaging from the outside of the turkey, leaving the bag of giblets in the cavity of the frozen turkey.
- Place the turkey on the baking rack and place in the oven with the oven rack in the center position.
- Set a timer for 2 1/2 hours.