While frozen, a turkey is safe indefinitely. As soon as it begins to thaw, bacteria that may have been present before freezing will begin to grow again. There are three safe ways to defrost a turkey: in the refrigerator, in cold water, and in a microwave oven.
Defrosting a frozen turkey is an essential first step to cooking a delicious holiday meal, but it takes some advance planning. A 12 pound turkey could take 3 full days to thaw in the refrigerator. Understanding the timeline will help you safely thaw your turkey on time.
Overview of Defrosting Time
The general timeline for defrosting a 12 lb turkey is:
- 12 pounds – Allow 3 days in the refrigerator
- 1 day thawing per 4-5 lbs – The standard fridge thawing rule
- Do not thaw at room temperature – To prevent bacterial growth
Below is more detail on these defrosting timelines and tips for thawing success.
Refrigerator Thawing Timeline
Thawing in the refrigerator is the safest method recommended by the USDA. Here are the guidelines:
- Allow 24 hours of fridge thawing time per 4-5 lbs of turkey
- A 12 lb turkey will need about 3 full days to thaw
- Place the wrapped turkey on a tray or pan to catch drips
- Turkey can remain in fridge after thawing for 1-2 more days
The gradual fridge thawing slows bacterial growth. Leaving the turkey wrapped during the process retains moisture
Once thawed, the turkey is safe in the fridge for up to 4 total days before cooking. Cook within that window for the best quality.
Monitoring the Process
During refrigerator thawing periodically check progress
- Flip the turkey over about halfway through defrosting
- This allows even thawing on all sides
- Check to see if giblet packet was removed prior to freezing
- Remove giblets once thawed to use for gravy or discard
- Monitor fridge temp, ideally 40°F or below
The turkey is fully thawed when:
- The cavity tissues are soft and ice crystals are gone
- The breast meat is soft to the touch
- The legs move freely
Why Thawing Time Matters
Allowing adequate thawing time is crucial:
- Ensures turkey thaws completely before cooking
- Allows time to brine or marinate turkey if desired
- Prevents having to rush thawing on Thanksgiving day
- Reduces risk of bacterial growth associated with partial thawing
Rushing the process by thawing at room temperature increases safety risks.
Food Safety Tips
When handling raw turkey:
- Cook within 1-2 days of refrigerator thawing
- Avoid rinsing thawed turkey, which can spread bacteria
- Keep turkey wrapped until ready to prep and cook
- Wash hands, utensils, surfaces after contact with raw turkey
- Cook to an internal temperature of 165°F
Proper thawing and handling reduces the risk of foodborne illnesses.
Thawing Alternatives
If short on time, you have two alternatives:
Cold Water Thawing
- Thaw in original wrap submerged in cold water, changing water every 30 minutes
- Allow 30 minutes per 1 lb of turkey
- Cook immediately after thawing completes
Buying Fresh Turkey
- Look for previously frozen turkeys labeled “fresh”
- These are ready to cook without thawing
- Cook within 2 days of purchasing for best quality
Both allow last minute turkey purchases but require more active monitoring while thawing and cooking.
Thawing Tips for Smaller Birds
- An 8 lb turkey may thaw in 2 days in the refrigerator
- A 10 lb turkey may thaw in 2 and a half days
- Scaling down by about .5 days per 2 lbs less than a 12 lb bird
The timeframe adjusts slightly for smaller or larger birds. The 1 day per 4-5 lb rule still applies.
Making a Thawing Plan
- Determine which day you plan to cook the turkey
- Count backward from that date based on the size of your frozen bird
- Recommend buying turkey a few days before thawing begins
- Adjust thawing time as needed if turkey is still partially frozen
Build a defrosting timeline to ensure turkey is properly thawed and ready for your holiday meal.
Safely Storing Thawed Turkey
Once thawed:
- Keep turkey in the fridge in original wrap up to 4 days
- Place on a tray or pan to contain leaks
- Use within 4 days for highest quality results
- Can be re-frozen if needed up to 2 days after thawing completes
Proper storage preserves your thawed turkey until you are ready to prep and cook.
With the right timeline, patience and food safety practices, defrosting a turkey can be straightforward. Allow 3 full days for a 12 lb turkey, monitor its progress, and refer to this guide for worry-free thawing results.
How NOT to Thaw a Turkey
In case you are wondering, here are some thawing methods that are not recommended:
- thawing a turkey on the counter, in the garage or on the back porch
- thawing a turkey in a brown paper grocery bag or plastic garbage bag
- using the dishwasher to thaw a turkey (with or without water)
- any method that is not the refrigerator, cold water, or the microwave
3 Ways to Thaw a Turkey
The USDA recommends thawing your turkey in the refrigerator. This is the safest method because the turkey will thaw at a consistent, safe temperature. This method takes some time, so allow one day for each 4 – 5 pounds of weight. If your turkey weighs 16 pounds, it will take about four days to thaw. Once thawed, the turkey is safe for another two days, so you can start thawing it six days before thanksgiving (the Friday before Thanksgiving).
The other two methods (cold water and microwave) must be done immediately before you start cooking the turkey, so you’ll have to wait until Thanksgiving morning.
For the cold water method, leave the turkey in its original wrapping and submerge it in a sink (or container) full of cold water. It is important that the water be cold so that the turkey stays at a safe temperature. You should change the water every 30 minutes. Empty out the water and replace it with fresh cold water. With this method, allow 30 minutes of defrosting time per pound, so a 16 pound turkey will take 8 hours to thaw using this method (so you might need to start around 4 a.m. if you want to eat in the afternoon!). Once the turkey has thawed, cook it immediately
Before you commit to thawing your turkey in the microwave, check your owner’s manual for the size turkey that will fit in your microwave oven, the minutes per pound and the power level to use when thawing a turkey. Remove all outside wrapping and place the turkey on a microwave-safe dish to catch any juices that may leak. Use the defrost function based on weight. As a general rule, allow 6 minutes per pound when thawing a turkey in the microwave. Be sure to rotate it several times, and even flip it, during the thawing process.
If the turkey starts to actually cook instead of just defrost, let it rest for 5 minutes or so before you resume thawing. Partway through thawing you may wish to cover the tips of the wings and drumsticks with a small piece of foil to shield them from the microwaves and keep them from cooking. Once the turkey has thawed you should cook it immediately.
How long does it take to thaw a 13 pound turkey?
FAQ
How long does it take for a 12 pound turkey to thaw in the fridge?
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Turkey Size
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Thaw In Refrigerator (set to 40 F or below)
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Thaw In Cold Water (change water every 30 min.)
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4 to 12 lbs.
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1 to 3 days
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2 to 6 hours
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12 to 16 lbs.
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3 to 4 days
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6 to 8 hours
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16 to 20 lbs.
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4 to 5 days
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8 to 10 hours
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20 to 24 lbs.
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5 to 6 days
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10 to 12 hours
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Can you thaw a 12 lb turkey overnight?
How long does it take to defrost a 12 pound Butterball turkey?