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 coming up fast, which means it’s time to start thinking about that centerpiece turkey! While a frozen bird may seem worlds away from a golden roast turkey on your table, with the right timing you can safely thaw your turkey and give guests a delicious meal.
Getting your turkey out of the freezer at just the right moment is key to ensuring it thaws completely and evenly. Follow this guide for tips on when you should transfer your frozen bird to the fridge or counter.
How Far in Advance Should You Thaw Your Turkey?
The date you should retrieve your frozen turkey depends on a few factors:
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Turkey Size – Allow 24 hours of fridge thawing time per 4-5 pounds A 12-15 pound turkey needs 5-6 days
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Thawing Method – Fridge thawing takes longer than cold water or microwave.
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Frozen Solid? – A tightly frozen turkey will require more thaw time than one with ice crystals
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Thaw Buffer – Build in an extra thawing cushion of 24 hours in case your turkey needs more time.
As a general timeline, for a standard 12-15 pound turkey purchased from the store, aim to move it from the freezer to the fridge 6-7 days before Thanksgiving Day. This gives enough leeway for slow safe thawing.
If you’ve got a large 20+ pound bird tack on additional thawing days. Give your freezer turkey a week plus to thaw in the refrigerator.
Thawing Methods for Frozen Turkey
While fridge thawing is ideal, you’ve got options if you’re in a time crunch. Here are 3 ways to safely thaw a frozen turkey:
1. Refrigerator Thawing
This passive approach gives slow, even thawing:
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Place turkey in a rimmed container to catch drips.
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Allow 24 hours per 4-5 pounds of turkey weight.
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Keep turkey 40°F or below – monitor fridge temp.
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Change pan drippings every 1-2 days to limit bacteria.
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Finish thawing turkey in the fridge 1-2 days before cooking.
2. Cold Water Thawing
Submerging your wrapped turkey speeds up the process:
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Use original airtight packaging or a leakproof bag.
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Submerge turkey in cold tap water, changing water every 30 minutes.
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Estimate 30 minutes thawing time per pound of turkey.
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Cook immediately after thawing is complete. Don’t let sit!
3. Microwave Thawing
A last resort for smaller frozen turkeys:
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Check your microwave can fit turkey and wattage.
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Remove giblets first and place breast side down on microwave-safe dish.
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Allow 6 minutes per pound on defrost setting, checking often.
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Rotate and flip turkey several times as it thaws.
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Cook turkey immediately after microwave thawing.
Handling Your Thawed Turkey
Once your turkey’s thawed, proper handling prevents illness:
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Cook within 1-2 days, don’t refreeze.
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Store at 40°F or below until ready to cook.
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Never leave a thawed turkey at room temperature over 2 hours.
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Discard any turkey juices that leaked during thawing.
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Check internal temperature reaches 165°F at thigh, wing and thickest part of breast before serving.
Storing Your Frozen Turkey Until Thaw Time
A frozen turkey requires special care for optimal flavor and safety:
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Keep frozen solid at 0°F or below until ready to thaw. No partial thawing!
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Store in original packaging until thawing begins. This prevents freezer burn.
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Use freezer bags or foil to protect turkey if re-packing. Press out excess air.
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Place turkey on a low shelf or in a tray to catch leaks if packaging fails.
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Label your turkey with weight and freeze date for easy reference.
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Freeze for no more than 1 year for best quality. Up to 2 years is still safe.
Top Turkey Thawing Tips
Follow these handy tips for thawing success:
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Know your turkey’s weight – this determines thaw time needed.
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Thaw breast side up in the refrigerator – this keeps juices from pooling.
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Use a dedicated refrigerator thermometer.
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Avoid room temperature thawing at all costs.
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Test turkey thickness with a meat thermometer before cooking.
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Add extra thawing and cooking time for stuffed turkeys.
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Prepare an ice bath to rapidly cool leftovers before refrigerating.
Get That Bird Thawed!
Now that you know when and how to thaw that frozen bird, you can relax and enjoy Thanksgiving prep! With the right freezer storage, thawing method and handling, your turkey will hit the perfect doneness for carving time. Just be sure to get it out of the freezer a week ahead for a stress-free holiday. Happy 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.
When should I take my turkey out of the freezer?
FAQ
How long does it take to thaw a frozen turkey?
How long does it take to thaw frozen ground turkey?
Can you keep a thawed turkey in the refrigerator for 4 days?
How long does a frozen turkey last?
Keeping it in its original packaging, set your bird on a rimmed container to catch any juices. In a refrigerator set to 40 degrees F or below, it generally takes one day for every 4 pounds to thaw a fully frozen turkey. Once thawed, your turkey will keep in the fridge for up to two days.
How long should you Thaw a frozen turkey?
The USDA recommends thawing a frozen turkey in the refrigerator, which translates to one day for each 4 to 5 pounds of weight. So for a 12-pound turkey that would imply at least three days of thawing, ideally with a bonus day thrown in. Here’s the thing, though. I simply don’t find that that’s enough. Ever.
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:
Can You defrost a Turkey in the freezer?
It’s definitely wise to have a plan and set an alarm for the day your turkey needs to come out of the freezer. This turkey was thawed using cold water. This method for defrosting a turkey is faster than in the fridge, but it requires a few more steps.