Can a turkey be cooked without being thawed?

Here's why:

* Uneven Cooking: A frozen turkey will cook unevenly. The outside may cook to a safe temperature while the inside remains frozen, making it unsafe to eat.

* Foodborne Illness: Frozen turkey can harbor bacteria that can multiply quickly at room temperature. Cooking a frozen turkey increases the risk of foodborne illness.

* Longer Cooking Time: It takes significantly longer to cook a frozen turkey compared to a thawed turkey, potentially leading to dry and tough meat.

Always thaw your turkey completely before cooking it. There are several safe ways to thaw a turkey, including:

* Refrigerator: Thaw in the refrigerator for 24 hours for every 5 pounds of turkey.

* Cold Water: Submerge the turkey in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes. It takes about 30 minutes per pound to thaw in cold water.

* Microwave: Some microwaves have a defrost setting, but this method is not recommended for large turkeys.

Remember: Never thaw a turkey at room temperature, as this increases the risk of bacterial growth.