You can’t cook a frozen rock. Well, you can, but it’s a recipe for a burnt outside and a raw inside that will make your guests wonder if they’re eating poultry or a science experiment.
Plan for three to four days in the fridge. It’s like getting your bird ready for a spa retreat. Clear a shelf, put the turkey in a big pan (those juices are sneaky), and forget about it. When the day comes, it should be mostly pliable, and you’ll feel like a planning genius.
If you forgot to thaw it (hey, we’ve all been there), don’t panic. You can do a cold water bath, changing the water every 30 minutes. It feels like a weird chore, but it works. Just remember: patience is the main ingredient here.