Things you need to know about frozen turkey before Thanksgiving

While the mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie are all key components of a traditional Thanksgiving menu, nothing says Turkey Day quite like turkey.

Cooking a feast requires a lot of planning, so many opt to buy a frozen turkey. But preparing a frozen turkey is much different than prepping a fresh bird. Here’s everything you need to know about your frozen turkey — along with turkey recipes for inspiration.

You can buy frozen turkey way ahead of time

With a frozen bird, you don’t have to worry about the sell-by date as much as with a fresh turkey. Most people pick up their turkey one week or more before Thanksgiving. An unopened, whole turkey will keep perfectly well in the freezer for up to two years.

You should keep it ice-cold

You want your turkey to be totally frozen until it’s cooked.