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Frozen turkey needs sufficient time to thaw in the refrigerator. A good rule of thumb is to thaw a turkey in its original wrapper in the bottom of the refrigerator in a pan (so it doesn’t drip onto other foods, causing cross-contamination), allowing 24 hours for every 4-5 pounds of turkey.

What size turkey should I buy? Purchase 1 1/4 pounds of turkey per person to be served. This will allow enough for the meal and leftovers.

Do I need to baste my turkey? It is not necessary to baste your turkey. Pouring juices over the turkey during cooking will only flavor 1/4 inch or less of the meat below the skin. The constant opening of the oven door will result in a longer roasting time. Just brush the turkey skin with oil or butter prior to roasting to prevent the skin from drying.