Before we talk about cooking time, let’s address the frozen elephant in the room. If your turkey is still rock-hard, you need to give it about three days in the fridge to thaw for every five pounds. That means a 13-pound bird needs around three full days.
I once tried to speed-thaw one in the sink like a mad scientist, and let’s just say my kitchen looked like a crime scene. So, be patient. It’s worth the wait—I promise your turkey won’t run away.