As Thanksgiving approaches, one of the most important preparation steps is thawing the star of the show – the turkey! While you can cook a frozen turkey, it takes much longer and may not turn out as moist and flavorful. Properly thawing your turkey ensures it cooks evenly and results in the juicy, tender meat we all crave But how far in advance do you need to move that frozen bird to the fridge? Let’s break it down
Why Thaw a Turkey in the Refrigerator?
Thawing your turkey in the refrigerator is the safest method recommended by the USDA. It protects the turkey from bacteria growth by keeping it consistently chilled at 40°F or below. Room temperature thawing can allow the turkey’s outer areas to enter the “danger zone” between 40-140°F, resulting in rapid bacteria multiplication.
The refrigerator method also leads to a tender, juicy bird. As the turkey gradually defrosts, the ice crystals melt, allowing the meat fibers to relax. Quick thawing techniques don’t give the fibers this time to loosen up before cooking.
How Long Does a 20 Pound Turkey Take to Thaw?
The general guideline is 24 hours of fridge time for every 4-5 pounds of turkey. So for a 20 pound turkey, allow 4-5 days in the refrigerator
Here is a handy chart with thawing times based on turkey size:
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Turkey Weight</th>
<th>How Long to Thaw in the Fridge</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>10 to 18 pounds</td>
<td>2 to 3 1⁄2 days</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>18 to 22 pounds</td>
<td>3 1⁄2 to 4 1⁄2 days</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>22 to 24 pounds</td>
<td>4 1⁄2 to 5 days</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>24 to 29 pounds</td>
<td>5 to 6 days</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
As you can see, a 20 pound turkey will need 4 to 5 full days in the refrigerator. Make sure to check on it and drain any accumulated juices daily.
Tips for Thawing a Turkey
Here are some tips to safely thaw a 20 pound turkey in the fridge:
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Keep the turkey in its original wrapping or place it in a leak-proof plastic bag. This prevents cross-contamination.
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Put the wrapped turkey on a tray or rimmed baking sheet to catch any juices that may leak.
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Place the turkey on a lower shelf to prevent raw juices from dripping onto other food.
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Allow roughly 24 hours per 4-5 pounds of turkey weight. For a 20 pounder, plan on 4-5 days thawing time.
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Check daily and drain any accumulated liquid so the turkey doesn’t sit in juices.
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Once thawed, cook within 1-2 days.
What If I’m Short on Time?
If you forgot to move your turkey to the fridge or need to thaw it faster for some reason, you have two other options:
Cold Water Method
This quicker thawing method entails submerging the wrapped turkey in a sink or tub of cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes. Allow 30 minutes per pound, so a 20 pound turkey will need about 10 hours submerged. The downside is that cook times may be extended since the meat doesn’t have time to properly relax.
Microwave Thawing
If you have a large enough microwave, you can defrost a turkey using the defrost setting based on the turkey’s weight. However, microwaving does not allow for even thawing and can start to partially cook the meat. You’ll need to cook the turkey immediately after microwaving.
No matter which method you use, proper thawing is key for a delicious Thanksgiving turkey! Allowing enough time for a 20 pound turkey to gradually defrost in the fridge results in tender, juicy meat cooks more evenly.
Bonus Tip: Consider Brining
For added flavor and moisture, consider brining your turkey after thawing and before roasting. A saltwater brine ensures a super juicy, seasoned turkey! Make sure you factor in the brining time, usually 12-24 hours, into your thawing timeline.
With some advance planning, you’ll give that 20 pound turkey the proper thawing it deserves. Just move it to the refrigerator 4-5 days before the big feast, draining juices daily. Then cook and carve it for a perfect, juicy Thanksgiving centerpiece.
Watch Now: How to Safely Thaw a Frozen Turkey
The refrigerator is the only safe, easy, and good way to thaw a frozen turkey.
Its safe because it stays cold the whole time, thus preventing the growth of dangerous bacteria that can cause food poisoning.
Its easy because you dont have to do anything. The turkey sits in the fridge and thaws all by itself.
There are a couple of other methods that might be technically safe but may not be easy or not good—as in, it will do bad things to your turkey, and make you wish you had used a different technique.
Thaw It in Cold Water
Its possible to safely thaw a frozen turkey in a sink full of cold water, but it wont be easy. The problem is, you need to allow 30 minutes of thawing time for every pound of frozen bird, and you MUST keep the water 40 F or colder the entire time.
That means monitoring the temperature with an instant-read thermometer and changing the water every half hour. Now, ring in when youve figured out the problem with using this method…
Ding! Thats right! For a large turkey, like a 20-pounder, which can take ten hours or more to defrost, you would have to change the water every thirty minutes for ten hours. Thats twenty water changes!
Aside from the fact that you have better things to do with your time, the major drawback to this method is that after two or three hours, youll slack off, stop changing the water, and wind up with a salmonella bomb soaking in your kitchen sink.
Moreover, you cant necessarily add fresh water from the tap; the water needs to be colder than 40 F. If the water coming out of your tap is warmer than 40 F, youll have to add ice to lower the temperature.
Also, youve got to make sure the turkey remains completely submerged. If it floats (and it will), youll need to weigh it down. And if your sink is too small, this method wont work.
And whatever you do, dont try to thaw a turkey in HOT water.
Heres a time chart to help you compare thawing times using the refrigerator and cold-water methods:
| Turkey Weight | Thawing Time (Refrigerator) | Thawing Time (Cold Water) |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 12 lbs | 1 to 3 days | 2 to 6 hours |
| 12 to 16 lbs | 3 to 4 days | 6 to 8 hours |
| 16 to 20 lbs | 4 to 5 days | 8 to 10 hours |
| 20 to 24 lbs | 5 to 6 days | 10 to 12 hours |
How long does it take to thaw a 20 pound turkey in the refrigerator?
FAQ
When should you start thawing a 20 pound turkey?
How long can a 20 lb turkey stay in the fridge?
Can you keep a thawed turkey in the refrigerator for 4 days?