So, you bought a frozen turkey. Congrats! That’s one thing you can mark off your Thanksgiving checklist. But remembering to thaw your turkey is something you wont want to forget! Luckily were here to help answer the question: How long does it take to thaw a turkey?
Whether youre short on time or planning ahead, we’ve broken down the best ways to thaw a frozen turkey. So, even first-time hosts (or seasoned veterans) can master the Thanksgiving turkey without any stress. All it takes is a foolproof formula based on the size of your turkey and some various thawing methods ahead. Learn how to thaw a turkey in the refrigerator, in cold water, or even in the microwave. But before the big day arrives, youll want to buy your bird either from the freezer aisle of your local supermarket or as a mail-order turkey. The USDA states that a turkey can be stored in the freezer indefinitely, but you should always plan to follow the pound-by-pound guidelines for safely thawing below.
Tip: Before you begin, keep the packaging for your turkey intact. Youll need to know the weight to calculate its thaw time. Then, once the turkey is thawed, youll need to brine it and cook it. Land on your preferred turkey recipes early so you have all the ingredients in place.
Thanksgiving is fast approaching, which means it’s time to start preparing your turkey! One of the most important steps is properly defrosting your frozen bird. Defrosting the turkey ensures it cooks evenly and safely. Follow these guidelines on when to move your turkey from the freezer to the fridge for ideal Thanksgiving defrosting.
Overview of Defrosting Turkeys
Defrosting a turkey requires planning ahead. You need to allow enough time for the turkey to fully thaw before cooking it. The best method is defrosting in the refrigerator. This is safer than leaving it out at room temperature, where bacteria can multiply quickly.
When fridge defrosting a turkey, you need 24 hours for every 4-5 pounds of turkey weight. So a 12 pound turkey would take 3 days to defrost. For a 16 pound or larger turkey, allow at least 4-5 days in the fridge.
When to Defrost Your Turkey for Thanksgiving
To determine the right day to move your turkey from the freezer to the fridge, first check the weight. The heavier your turkey, the earlier you need to defrost it.
Follow these timelines based on turkey size:
- 8-12 pound turkey: Place in the fridge on Sunday, November 19th.
- 12-16 pound turkey: Place in the fridge on Friday, November 17th.
- 16-20 pound turkey: Place in the fridge on Wednesday, November 15th.
- 20-24 pound turkey: Place in the fridge on Monday, November 13th.
If you have a particularly large bird that’s over 24 pounds, you may want to allow a full 7 days and move it on November 12th just to be safe.
The key is allowing a full 24 hours of defrosting time per 4-5 pounds of turkey weight. This ensures your turkey will be completely defrosted in time for Thanksgiving cooking on November 23rd.
Steps for Fridge Defrosting Your Turkey
Defrosting your turkey in the fridge is simple if you follow these steps
- Check turkey weight and calculate the defrosting time needed.
- Clear space in your refrigerator. Turkeys need quite a bit of room!
- Remove giblets from the turkey cavity. Defrosting loosens them so they can leak.
- Place the turkey in a container or on a tray to catch any juices.
- Put the turkey in the fridge on the calculated day based on its size.
- Allow 24 hours per 4-5 pounds of turkey weight.
- Check every day and remove thawed juices so they don’t spread bacteria.
- The turkey is fully defrosted when the meat is soft and the inner cavity is no longer icy.
Once thawed your turkey is safe in the fridge for 1-2 more days before cooking. Do not refreeze a thawed turkey – cook it within this timeframe.
Safety Tips for Defrosting Turkeys
To keep your turkey safe as it defrosts, follow these precautions:
- Never defrost on the counter or in warm water. Stick to the fridge method.
- Use the refrigerator shelf below 40°F if available.
- Place the turkey on a tray or in a container to contain juices.
- Wash hands thoroughly after handling the raw turkey.
- Don’t wash or rinse the turkey, which can spread bacteria.
- Cook the turkey immediately after defrosting ends.
Defrosting Times for Other Poultry
The 24 hours per 4-5 pounds rule applies to other poultry as well:
- Whole chicken: 1 day for every 4 pounds
- Chicken breasts: 1 day for every 1-2 pounds
- Whole duck: 1 day for every 4 pounds
- Cornish hens: 1-2 days for every 1-2 pounds
So do some quick math to determine when you need to move your Thanksgiving bird or other poultry to the fridge for safe, properly timed defrosting.
Enjoy Your Perfectly Defrosted Turkey
Allowing enough defrosting time in the refrigerator helps ensure your Thanksgiving turkey will be totally thawed and ready for prep, seasoning, and roasting when the big day arrives.
Just follow the handy timelines provided based on turkey weight to determine the right day to move your turkey from freezer to fridge. Then you’ll enjoy delicious, juicy turkey with family and friends this Thanksgiving!
Thawing a turkey in the refrigerator
The easiest, safest way to thaw a turkey is in the refrigerator—but this method will also take a few days for the average-size bird. According to the USDA, the formula for defrosting a turkey in the fridge is as follows: Allow for at least 24 hours for every four to five pounds. (FYI: This is specific to refrigerators at temperatures 40 degrees and below.) So, heres how it breaks down:
- 8 pounds: 2 days to defrost
- 12 pounds: 3 days to defrost
- 16 pounds: 4 days to defrost
- 20 pounds: 5 days to defrost
When using this method, place the turkey—still in its original packaging—in a roasting pan or on a rimmed baking sheet in case juices leak as it thaws.
How long does it take to thaw turkey?
There are three easy methods for thawing a turkey. If you plan to thaw it in the refrigerator, then you definitely dont want to wait until Thanksgiving morning! Considering the formula recommended by the USDA below, a 16-pound frozen turkey should thaw in the refrigerator for at least four days before its showtime—which means the Sunday before Thanksgiving would be the right time to start the thawing process. If you are cooking a larger bird (Ree Drummond has been known to cook a 20-pound turkey), plan on extra time for thawing. Or, check out the quicker thawing methods (in cold water or in the microwave) when youre in a pinch.
How To Thaw Turkey In The FRIDGE for Thanksgiving
FAQ
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