A fully frozen bird of the same size may take “one-and-a-half times as long,” said Nolan, adding that the Talk-Line’s test kitchen has tested cooking a fully frozen turkey. That means a frozen 12- to 14-pound turkey may take 4 1/2 to 5 hours or longer.

Thursday will be the first time many people cook and host Thanksgiving dinner - here's how you can avoid illness and danger.

Avoid Thanksgiving turkey disasters with Butterball's foolproof method for quickly and properly thawing your bird, straight from the poultry pros.

The LSU AgCenter and United States Department of Agriculture both recommend thawing a turkey in the refrigerator as the safest method, which could take up to four days for a large bird when allowing 24 hours of thawing time per 4 to 5 pounds.

If the turkey needs to be cooked in the oven, use other appliances to cook other foods. Or ask guests to bring a side dish to share. Once the meal is over Blakeslee recommends storing leftovers in shallow containers within two hours of cooking. Use refrigerated leftovers within four days or freeze for later use in a quick meal.

As Thanksgiving nears and you're thinking about how to prep your turkey, brining it foolproof method and the way to go.

These leftover turkey recipes, including casseroles, sandwiches, soups and more, will help ensure every bite of your Thanksgiving feast is enjoyed.