Picture this: It’s Thanksgiving Day and you suddenly realize that your turkey is in the freezer. Panic ensues… Thanksgiving is surely ruined! But before you start thinking about calling it quits, here’s some good news: you can still cook a frozen turkey!

Sure, you might not have enough time for traditional thawing methods. But there are also options for cooking your turkey right from its frozen state. According to the USDA, you shouldn’t expect the cooking time to be the same as your typical roasted turkey recipe. “The cooking time will take at least 50 percent longer than recommended for a fully thawed turkey,” they say.

You might need to adjust your Thanksgiving timeline, but it’s better than takeout and at least you know you’ll have a fully cooked turkey that’s safe to eat. So, here’s a simple guide for how to cook a frozen turkey.

How to Cook a Frozen Turkey

It’s surprisingly easy to cook a frozen turkey, just be sure to follow these simple steps. For starters, you can choose a quick-thawing method (like thawing in the microwave) which won’t take as long as thawing in the refrigerator or in cold water. Or, just cooking it straight from the freezer.

To thaw a frozen turkey in the microwave: The USDA recommends ensuring that your turkey will fit in the microwave first. Then, use the manufacturer guidelines to thaw for about 6 minutes per pound. “Plan to cook it immediately after thawing because some areas of the food may become warm and begin to cook during microwaving. Holding partially cooked food is not recommended because any bacteria present wouldn’t have been destroyed,” the USDA says.

To cook straight from frozen: Start by unwrapping the turkey and set your oven temperature to 325 degrees. Place the turkey on a roasting pan and pop it in the oven—don’t worry about the bag of giblets quite yet! Once the turkey has been in the oven for 20 to 30 minutes, you can use a pair of tongs to carefully remove the packet of giblets. Now that the turkey has thawed a bit in the oven, you can also season the turkey by brushing the outside with butter and seasoning with salt and pepper. Continue to roast until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees, covering with foil as necessary if it starts to darken too much. Roasting times will vary depending on the weight, but since it’s frozen, you can expect it to take at least 50 percent longer compared to a thawed bird. See the cooking times below!

Cook Times by Weight

Based on USDA guidelines, this is how long it will take to cook a frozen turkey at 325 degrees:

• 8- to 12-pound turkey: 4 to 4 1/2 hours
• 12- to 14-pound turkey: 4 1/2 to 5 3/4 hours
• 14- to 18-pound turkey: 5 3/4 to 6 1/4 hours
• 18- to 20-pound turkey: 6 1/4 to 6 3/4 hours
• 20- to 24-pound turkey: 6 3/4 to 7 1/2 hours

How Do You Know When Your Frozen Turkey is Cooked?

Keep a meat thermometer handy! This tool is the best way to check if your turkey is cooked. The USDA says: “When the innermost part of the thigh, the innermost part of the wing, and the thickest part of the breast reach 165°F, it is ready to eat.”

Can You Stuff a Frozen Turkey?

If you’re the type of person who prefers their stuffing in the bird rather than in a casserole dish, the USDA advises buying only frozen pre-stuffed turkeys that have a clear USDA inspection symbol on the label. “These turkeys are safe because they have been processed under controlled conditions,” the organization says. However, you should never thaw a frozen pre-stuffed turkey. Instead, follow the package instructions and cook straight from frozen.