If its Thanksgiving Day, youre finally ready to get your cook on, and you merrily reach for the turkey in the fridge only to realize its still a frigid solid mass, dont panic. We have tips on how to defrost your turkey (and fast), how to know when your turkeys completely defrosted, what to do if you just simply dont have time to thaw your bird, and, most importantly, how to do so safely, according to nutrition expert Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN, FAND, a food-safety consultant and author of “Up Your Veggies: Flexitarian Recipes for the Whole Family.”
Cooking a delicious turkey for a holiday meal or family gathering takes planning and preparation An essential first step is properly thawing the turkey before cooking. Knowing exactly when your turkey is fully defrosted is key to ensuring it cooks evenly and tastes its best.
Here are some simple ways to determine if your turkey is thawed and ready for roasting.
Check the Turkey’s Movement
One of the easiest ways to test if your turkey is thawed is to check how freely it moves. Try gently wiggling the wings, legs, and neck. If they wiggle easily, that’s a sign it’s defrosted. But if they still feel stiff and frozen and won’t budge, it needs more time to thaw.
You can also try bending the wings or twisting the legs gently. If the turkey feels loose and pliable enough that the joints and limbs can be moved it’s likely thawed. If they feel stiff and immobile leave it to defrost longer.
Use a Meat Thermometer
The most reliable way to determine if a turkey is fully thawed is by using a meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer deep into the thickest part of the breast and thigh, avoiding the bone.
If it reads 40°F or below, the turkey is still partially frozen. At 33-39°F it is in the process of thawing but not ready yet. The ideal internal temperature for a thawed turkey is 40°F or above.
Using a thermometer ensures there are no icy spots remaining inside thicker areas of the meat. Check it in several places to confirm the entire turkey is defrosted evenly.
Check Inside the Cavities
Take a look inside the neck and body cavities of the turkey using your fingers. Feel around for any remaining ice crystals or hardened frozen bits.
If the cavities feel slippery and ice-free when you rub your fingers on the inside, that area is thawed. If you feel large chunks or crystals of ice, the bird needs more time.
Also smell the cavity. It should not have a strong odor. A foul or very pungent smell could be a sign bacteria has grown while thawing.
Do a Float Test
Here’s a simple trick you can try: place the turkey in a sink or tub of cold water. A frozen turkey will sink straight to the bottom.
As it defrosts, the turkey will gradually become more buoyant. When it’s fully thawed, it should float high in the water.
You may need to gently press down to keep it submerged and allow the liquid to circulate around the bird and help release any lingering ice.
Press on the Skin
Press gently on the breast and other meaty areas of the turkey with your fingers. Does the skin feel icy, slimy, or hard? Then it is likely not fully thawed.
When the turkey is ready, the skin will depress slightly and bounce back when pressed. It will feel soft, supple, and pliable all over.
Time Needed for Thawing
To estimate if enough time has passed for thawing your turkey, allow approximately 24 hours of defrosting for every 4-5 pounds.
So a 16 lb turkey will take about 4 days in the fridge. Go by weight, not size, as larger birds are denser and take longer. Monitor thawed turkey’s temp and flexibility.
Ensure Proper Refrigerator Placement
If thawing the turkey in the fridge, be sure it’s placed properly to defrost as fast as possible. Keep the turkey in a tray to catch drips and place it on a bottom shelf. This prevents cross-contamination with other foods.
Don’t overstuff the fridge or block air vents. This allows cold air to properly circulate around the turkey so it defrosts evenly. Check on it and flip it over periodically.
Cook a Partially Frozen Turkey Carefully
It’s best not to cook a fully frozen turkey as it is difficult to ensure it cooks through safely. But if your turkey is still slightly icy in the cavity or center when the big mealtime is imminent, you can proceed with caution.
Use a food thermometer and allow extra roasting time for a partially frozen turkey. Baste it frequently with broth or water to add moisture and speed thawing. The meat should still reach 165°F. Let it rest 20 minutes before carving.
Quick Thawing Methods
If you’re in a time crunch, there are faster thawing options than fridge defrosting. Soak the wrapped turkey in a sink of cold water, changing it every 30 minutes. Or use the microwave’s defrost setting if the turkey fits.
While quick, these methods can increase risk of bacterial growth. It’s safest to thaw in the refrigerator whenever possible.
Signs Your Turkey Has Spoiled During Thawing
Always thaw frozen turkeys safely in the fridge to minimize contamination risk. But in rare cases, warm temperatures or improper thawing can lead to spoilage. Look for these signs:
- Foul, pungent odor
- Slimy skin with sticky or tacky texture
- Discoloration or graying of the flesh
- Unusual dark or bubbly fluids in cavity
A spoiled turkey should be discarded. Thawing in a fridge set below 40°F virtually eliminates spoilage issues.
Benefits of a Fully Thawed Turkey
Allowing enough time for your turkey to completely thaw brings many advantages:
- The turkey roasts faster when thawed. A frozen center delays cooking.
- It cooks more evenly since the meat defrosts uniformly.
- Shorter roasting means less chance of drying out the breast meat.
- Seasonings and marinades penetrate better into thawed meat.
- You can stuff and truss it ahead of roasting for added flavor and juiciness.
With proper planning, your holiday turkey will thaw safely in the fridge right on schedule. Then you can relax and enjoy cooking your delicious centerpiece meal.
How to Defrost a Turkey in the Fridge
The best-case scenario is to defrost your bird in the fridge — and youll need several days to do so. Set the turkey unopened on a tray, breast-side up, and put it in a fridge thats 40 degrees or below, Amidor says. For every four pounds of turkey, itll need about a day in the fridge to defrost completely. (For example, if your turkey weighs 16 pounds, it will take about four days to thaw. You can also use this handy calculator from Butterball to do the math for you.) Once fully defrosted, the turkey can sit in the fridge for up to two more days before cooking, Amidor says.
How to Defrost a Turkey Fast
If youve missed the fridge-thawing window, your best bet is to defrost your turkey in cold water. Youll want to submerge the turkey (breast-side down with its original wrapping still on) in a sink or a big container full of cold water. “You want the water to be cold, so the turkey stays at a safe temperature to minimize the growth of any harmful bacteria,” Amidor says. You should change the water every 30 minutes with all new water.
“Using this method, it takes 30 minutes to defrost one pound,” Amidor says. So a 16-pound turkey, for example, will take eight hours to defrost. (If the math isnt mathing, simply plug the weight of your turkey into Butterballs turkey defrost time calculator.) “Once the turkey has thawed, cook it immediately,” Amidor says.
How to Safely Thaw a Frozen Turkey
FAQ
What happens if turkey isn’t thawed?
How long does defrosting a turkey take?
Can you cook a turkey that is still partially frozen?
How do you know if a Turkey is thawed?
To test if your bird is completely thawed, gently press on the turkey’s breast and thigh. The turkey is likely to be thawed if they feel soft and give a little when you press on them. You also can feel inside the body cavity and see if there are still ice crystals. CLICK TO DOWNLOAD: Elevate Your Meat Game with 3 Exclusive Guides → 2. Movement
How do you Thaw a Turkey before roasting?
Unwrapping the turkey, removing the neck and giblets, and having a feel inside the turkey’s cavity is the best way to make sure your turkey is thawed completely. Doing this a day in advance of roasting also give you an opportunity to season the turkey and helps speed things along if your turkey is still icy.
Can you test thawing doneness of a Turkey?
The turkey’s legs and wings should move freely and the breasts should give to pressure when thawed completely. Yes, the same technique we use to determine roasting doneness can also be used to test thawing doneness.
How do you know if a Turkey is fully defrosted?
Touch, movement, and temperature are all ways to determine if a turkey is fully defrosted. Three safe thawing methods include the fridge, cold water bath, and microwave. You can cook a turkey that is not entirely thawed; it just will take longer.