How Long Does It Take to Thaw a 22 Pound Turkey in the Fridge?

As Thanksgiving approaches, one of the key steps in preparing the perfect holiday meal is properly thawing the turkey. While you can cook a frozen turkey, it is not ideal. Thawing allows seasonings to better permeate the meat and also enables you to prep and stuff the cavity. So when should you transfer your 22 pound frozen bird to the fridge to thaw? Let’s take a closer look.

Why Thawing is Important

Thawing a turkey in the refrigerator is the safest method recommended by the USDA. It helps ensure the turkey thaws evenly while preventing bacteria growth. Room temperature thawing causes the outer areas of the turkey to be dangerously warm while the interior remains frozen. The USDA strongly advises against counter thawing for this reason.

Refrigerator thawing also results in a juicier, more evenly cooked turkey. Seasonings and marinades are able to penetrate into the meat better. And if you want to stuff your turkey, it must first be at least partially thawed in order to do so safely.

Timeline for Thawing a 22 Pound Turkey

The general timeline is 24 hours of refrigerator thawing for every 4 to 5 pounds of turkey. Here is a breakdown

• 10 to 18 pounds – 2 to 3.5 days
• 18 to 22 pounds – 3.5 to 4.5 days
• 22 to 24 pounds – 4.5 to 5 days

For a 22 pound turkey, you should allot 4 to 5 days for thawing in the refrigerator. It is always better to err on the side of more time rather than less when thawing a turkey.

Many experts recommend doubling the thawing time for added safety margin. This would mean thawing your 22 pound turkey for 8 to 10 days in the refrigerator. While that may seem excessive it guarantees the bird thaws properly throughout while minimizing any bacterial growth.

Proper Refrigerator Thawing

To thaw a 22 pound turkey in the refrigerator safely:

• Place the wrapped turkey on a tray or pan to catch any juices.
• Put the turkey on a bottom shelf to prevent cross-contamination.
• Allow roughly 24 hours per 4-5 pounds of turkey weight.
• Plan ahead and start thawing in time for the turkey to thaw completely.
• Cook within 1-2 days of the turkey being fully thawed.

As the turkey thaws, regularly check and remove any juices collecting in the tray or pan. This prevents overflow or spilled juice spreading bacteria.

For food safety, you should plan to cook the turkey within 1 to 2 days of it being fully thawed. Turkey that has been thawed in the fridge for over 5 days should be discarded.

Thawing Timeline for Other Turkey Sizes

Here are USDA recommended refrigerator thawing timelines for other turkey sizes:

• 4 to 12 pounds – 1 to 3 days
• 12 to 16 pounds – 3 to 4 days
• 16 to 20 pounds – 4 to 5 days
• 20 to 24 pounds -5 to 6 days
• 24 to 28 pounds – 6 to 8 days

The thawing times are directly related to the weight and size of your turkey. Always allow ample buffer time, especially for larger birds.

Signs Your Turkey is Thawed

Checking regularly helps you know exactly when your turkey has thawed completely. Signs it is ready to prep and cook include:

• The body cavity is soft and pliable when pressed gently
• The skin is soft and loose rather than hard and icy
• The meat gives slightly when pressed
• The giblet packets can be easily removed

Once the turkey is fully thawed throughout, dry it thoroughly inside and out with paper towels. Some chefs recommend air drying uncovered in the fridge overnight which allows the skin to dry out for crisping.

Emergency Thawing Methods

Hopefully you planned ahead and started thawing with plenty of time. But if your turkey is still partially frozen on Thanksgiving morning, you have some options.

To rapidly thaw a turkey that won’t finish in time, you can submerge it in cold water. The timeline is about 30 minutes per pound, so your 22 pound turkey will need around 11 hours in cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes until thawed.

In a real time crunch, you can cook a partially frozen turkey by adding 50% more cook time at 325°F. Check it frequently and cook until a meat thermometer shows it has reached 165°F in the breast and 175°F in the thighs.

While cooking from frozen is possible, it results in lower quality meat texture and flavor. Thaw that 22 pound bird nice and slow in your fridge!

Thawing Tips

• Always thaw turkey in the refrigerator rather than on the counter
• Place in tray or pan to collect juices
• Allow 24 hours per 4-5 pounds of turkey weight
• Cook within 1-2 days of fridge thawing being complete
• Cook from partially frozen if needed by increasing oven time

Give your turkey ample time to thaw. A 22 pounder needs 4 to 5 days in the fridge. Proper thawing helps lead to the perfect turkey and incredible Thanksgiving memories.