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.
For many families, a roasted turkey is the centerpiece of holiday meals. If you plan to cook a frozen turkey, proper thawing is critical for food safety. But how long can a frozen turkey stay in the fridge during the thawing process?
Follow these guidelines to safely thaw your turkey in the refrigerator
Overview of Fridge Thawing Times
The fridge allows slow, safe thawing. But thawing takes time depending on the turkey’s size. Follow these timelines:
- 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
So allow 1 day of fridge thawing for every 4 to 5 pounds of turkey. Thaw in the coldest part of the fridge in a container to catch drips. Once thawed, use within 1 to 2 days.
Step-by-Step Guide to Fridge Thawing
Follow these steps for foolproof fridge thawing:
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Keep the turkey in its original wrap. This prevents the turkey from absorbing fridge odors and stops juices from leaking.
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Place the wrapped turkey on a tray. This catches any juices that may drip during thawing.
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Thaw in the fridge. Put the turkey on the bottom shelf which is the coldest area.
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Allow 1 day per 4-5 pounds of turkey. A 20 lb turkey takes 4 to 5 days to thaw.
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Cook within 1 to 2 days after thawing. Cook immediately if possible for best quality
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Refreeze only if necessary. Thawed turkey can be refrozen but quality may decline. Cook instead of refreezing if possible.
Storing Thawed Turkey in the Fridge
Once thawed fully in the fridge, raw turkey can be kept refrigerated 1 to 2 more days before cooking.
To store thawed turkey:
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Keep turkey tightly wrapped in fridge.
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Place on a tray or plate to contain leaks and drips.
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Use within 1 to 2 days for best quality.
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Cook immediately if possible.
Freezing Thawed Turkey
If you can’t cook a thawed turkey within 1 to 2 days, you can refreeze it. But expect some loss of quality.
Tips for refreezing thawed turkey:
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Refreeze turkey immediately using air-tight freezer bags or wrap.
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Use refrozen turkey within 2 to 3 months for best quality.
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Cook thawed turkey instead of refreezing if possible.
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Only refreeze turkey once; don’t thaw and refreeze multiple times.
Food Safety Tips for Thawed Turkey
Follow food safety guidelines when thawing turkey:
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Never thaw at room temperature over 2 hours. Bacteria can grow rapidly above 40°F.
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Cook immediately after microwave or cold water thawing. Don’t let turkey sit thawed.
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Wash hands, utensils, surfaces after contact with raw turkey and its juices.
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Cook thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F. Use a food thermometer to verify.
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Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours. Reheat thoroughly to 165°F.
Avoiding Turkey Thawing Pitfalls
Some common turkey thawing mistakes include:
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Forgetting to plan days needed for fridge thawing. This can force unsafe, rushed thawing.
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Thawing on the counter over 2 hours. Room temp above 40°F enables bacteria growth.
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Thawing in warm water. This risks uneven thawing and bacterial growth in outer areas.
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Not cooking thoroughly after thawing. Turkey needs to reach 165°F internally.
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Letting thawed turkey sit out before cooking. Thawed turkey should go straight from fridge to oven.
Key Takeaways
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Allow 1 day of fridge thawing per 4-5 lbs of frozen turkey.
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Keep turkey wrapped and place on a tray in the coldest part of the fridge.
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Cook thawed turkey within 1-2 days for best quality and food safety.
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Only refreeze thawed turkey if necessary. Quality declines with refreezing.
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Follow proper handling, cooking, and storage guidelines to prevent foodborne illness.
With the right technique, you can safely thaw frozen turkey in the refrigerator. Thawing gradually in the fridge prevents bacteria growth and keeps turkey fresh. Refer to these fridge thawing guidelines for your holiday bird. Then get ready to enjoy a delicious and food-safe holiday feast!
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 a turkey stay frozen?
FAQ
Can I leave a frozen turkey in the fridge for 5 days?
How long can you keep a thawed butterball turkey in the fridge?
How long can turkey stay in the fridge uncooked after?
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Food
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Type
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Refrigerator [40°F (4°C) or below]
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Fresh poultry
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Chicken or turkey, whole
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1 to 2 days
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Chicken or turkey, pieces
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1 to 2 days
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Fin Fish
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Fatty Fish (bluefish, catfish, mackerel, mullet, salmon, tuna, etc.)
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1 – 3 Days
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Lean Fish (cod, flounder, haddock, halibut, sole, etc.)
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How long can thawed ground turkey stay in the fridge?
How long can you keep a frozen turkey in the fridge?
You want to allow 1 day in the fridge for every 4 pounds of turkey, so refrigerate a 12-pound bird for 3 days, a 20-pound bird for 5 days, and so on. Check out our turkey defrosting time calculator below for more estimates: Here’s our no-mess method for thawing a frozen-solid turkey in the refrigerator:
How long does a thawed Turkey last in the fridge?
It takes approximately 24 hours for every four to five pounds of whole turkey to thaw in the refrigerator. Once the turkey is thawed, you can keep it in the refrigerator for one to two additional days before cooking. How long does leftover Turkey last in the freezer?
How long does a frozen turkey last?
The shelf life of a frozen turkey depends on a few factors, including the type of turkey, the packaging, and the storage conditions. In general, a frozen turkey can last for up to 1 year in the freezer. However, it is important to note that the quality of the turkey will deteriorate over time, so it is best to eat it within 6 months of freezing.
How long does leftover Turkey last in the freezer?
The general consensus is that most food can safely be kept in the freezer indefinitely, but the USDA recommends consuming most frozen foods within two to six months for the best quality, depending on what you’re freezing.