It doesnt matter how many unique side dishes you make, a festive holiday spread just isnt complete without the star of the show: the turkey. Whether you want to barbecue or fry the bird or go the traditional route with roasting, the recipe options are endless. The only caveat with cooking the holiday staple is that the process takes a lot of time and planning. How long does it take to defrost turkey? How do you thaw it? And how long can a thawed turkey stay in the fridge? Then the cooking questions start — how to prep turkey for roasting, how to get crispy turkey skin, etc.
Of these questions, some of the most essential are how to thaw turkey and how long thawed turkey can stay in the fridge. You need to build your cooking schedule around making sure your bird is defrosted early enough for it to get into the oven on time — but not so early that it sits in the fridge for longer than is safe. Also important is knowing how long cooked turkey can stay in the fridge, so you can plan your post-Thanksgiving leftover bonanza.
Planning your holiday meal often starts with thawing a frozen turkey in the refrigerator But how long can you safely keep that frozen bird chilling in the fridge before cooking it? Here’s a comprehensive guide to storing frozen turkey in the refrigerator to avoid food safety risks
Thawing Timeline
The timeframe for thawing a frozen turkey depends on its size
- 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
The general rule of thumb is to allow 24 hours of fridge thawing time per 4-5 pounds of turkey.
So a typical 12-14 pound turkey will need 3-4 days in the refrigerator before it’s fully thawed and ready to cook.
Monitoring the Thaw
During the thawing period:
- Place the frozen turkey on a tray or pan to catch any drips.
- Leave turkey in its original wrapping unless wrapped loosely.
- Check on thaw progress occasionally.
- Once thawed, remove giblets and neck from cavities.
The turkey will be safe in the fridge during the entire thawing duration needed for its size. But don’t thaw for longer than the recommended timeline.
Post-Thaw Storage
Once fully thawed, the raw turkey can be kept refrigerated for 1-2 additional days before cooking.
It’s not recommended to thaw and then refreeze a turkey more than once. This can compromise food safety.
If needed, a turkey thawed in the refrigerator can be refrozen safely just once if it hasn’t been thawed for more than a couple days.
But for best quality, cook thawed turkey within the 1-2 day post-thaw refrigeration window.
Breast vs Whole Turkey
Thawing times vary slightly for whole turkeys vs just breasts:
- Whole turkey: 24 hours per 4-5 pounds
- Turkey breast: 24 hours per 3-4 pounds
A thawed uncooked turkey breast only lasts 1-2 days max in the fridge. Cook sooner rather than later for food safety.
Signs It’s Gone Bad
Discard the turkey if it has an off odor, sticky texture, or other signs of spoilage like:
- Slimy skin
- Discolored meat
- Dull, faded appearance
When in doubt, throw it out. Don’t risk foodborne illness.
Quick Thaw Methods
For quicker thawing, you can submerge the wrapped turkey in a sink full of cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes. Estimate 30 minutes per pound of turkey.
Thawing in the microwave is another faster option. Check appliance guidelines for power level and minutes per pound. Cook immediately after microwave thawing.
But fridge thawing is gentler and safer. Plan ahead so you can allow the needed days for thawed turkey to rest in the refrigerator before roasting.
Food Safety Tips
Follow these practices for maximum food safety when handling frozen and thawed turkey:
- Cook turkey to an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Use a food thermometer to verify doneness.
- Never leave turkey, stuffing, or gravy at room temperature over 2 hours.
- Refrigerate all leftovers within 2 hours of cooking.
- Reheat leftovers to 165°F.
- Avoid cross-contamination by washing hands, utensils, sinks after contact with raw turkey.
- Thaw in refrigerator, not at room temperature.
Adhering to recommended fridge thaw times and post-thaw storage limits will ensure your turkey stays safe until ready to cook.
Fridge Thawing Guidelines
To recap, follow these refrigerator thawing guidelines:
- 4-12 lbs: Thaw 1-3 days. After thaw, use within 1-2 days.
- 12-16 lbs: Thaw 3-4 days. After thaw, use within 1-2 days.
- 16-20 lbs: Thaw 4-5 days. After thaw, use within 1-2 days.
- 20-24 lbs: Thaw 5-6 days. After thaw, use within 1-2 days.
Allowing the proper thaw duration for the turkey size, monitoring its progress, and adhering to post-thaw storage times will keep your bird safe for holiday cooking and feasting.
How Long Can a Frozen or Thawed Turkey Stay In the Fridge?
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends defrosting turkey in the refrigerator at 40°F or below for several days before you plan on cooking it. Thawing a turkey takes about one day per four pounds of turkey, Amidor says, which means a smaller 12-pound turkey will take three days, whereas the largest turkey of 20-24 pounds can take up to six days to defrost. (Butterball has a handy calculator that can tell you exactly how long youll need to thaw your bird. And if you dont have that much time, heres how to defrost turkey more quickly.)
Once its thawed, the turkey can stay in the refrigerator for an additional two days before it needs to be cooked, Amidor says.
So, for example, if youre cooking a 20-24-pound bird, you need to stick it in the fridge to thaw at least six days before youll be eating it (so it has time to fully thaw), and no more than eight days before youll be eating it (to stay within that two-day window). For a 12-pound turkey, youll want to put it in the fridge for a minimum of three days and a maximum of five.
When youre ready to thaw, keep the turkey in its plastic wrap and place it on a rimmed sheet tray or roasting pan to keep any juices from making a mess in your fridge. Put it in the coldest part of your fridge to defrost, or better yet, store it in a spare fridge that isnt opened often. And “if you thaw the turkey in the refrigerator and choose not to cook it, you can refreeze it without cooking, but there will be some loss of quality,” Amidor says.
How long can you keep a thawed turkey in the refrigerator before cooking?
FAQ
Will a frozen turkey go bad in the fridge?
How long can you thaw a turkey in the fridge?
How long can defrosted ground turkey stay in the fridge?
How long can you keep a thawed butterball turkey in the fridge?
How long can you keep a thawed Turkey in the fridge?
Thawed turkeys can be kept for up to two days in the refrigerator, so it’s better to err on the side of allowing more time than less. A note on brining: If you’re planning to brine your turkey, either in a brine solution or with a dry-brine, you can start this while it’s still partially frozen.
How long does a frozen turkey last?
Keeping it in its original packaging, set your bird on a rimmed container to catch any juices. In a refrigerator set to 40 degrees F or below, it generally takes one day for every 4 pounds to thaw a fully frozen turkey. Once thawed, your turkey will keep in the fridge for up to two days.
How long does a Turkey last in the fridge?
Allow 5 days for a 20-pound bird and 3 days for a 10- to 12-pounder. Set the turkey on a rimmed plate or baking sheet that’s large enough to hold the entire bird while catching any juices that might leak out of the package. Store on the bottom shelf of the fridge, toward the rear if possible.
Can You thaw frozen turkey?
The USDA states that you should never thaw frozen turkey on the counter, in hot water, or for longer than two hours at room temperature. Placing the frozen package from the freezer onto a plate and placing it in the refrigerator is the best method for gradually thawing turkey, whether it is whole or in pieces.