And, no surprise, turkey is the centerpiece of the meal, gracing more than 80% of holiday tables. But imagine waking up Thanksgiving morning and realizing you forgot to thaw the turkey. What can you do?

Roasting a spatchcocked turkey in a very hot oven, then reheating at a more moderate temperature is the key to success in this make-ahead recipe.

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.

Consider investing in a roasting rack to keep the bottom of your turkey from steaming and sticking to the bottom of the pan. You can also create your own DIY roasting rack by using a bed of celery and carrots, or rolling aluminum foil into logs and placing the turkey on top.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING -- Wondering how to cook a turkey or how long to cook a turkey? Butterball has your answers. Roasting in an oven is one of the most popular ways to cook a turkey. It's simple, convenient, and gives your turkey a classic flavor.

Most recipes called for no more than 30 minutes of steaming, essentially to initiate the cooking process before finishing in the oven. A couple of inches of water are added to the bottom of the pot, along with the aluminum foil "nest" and the turkey, before setting the pot on the stovetop.

The USDA says you need one day in the refrigerator for every 4 to 5 pounds of turkey. Here’s when to move your bird from the freezer to the fridge before Thanksgiving.

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.

Thanksgiving is around the corner and it's almost time to decide who cooks the turkey! Sam Choy, a well-known local chef, shared some of his favorite tips and tricks for cooking turkey.