ANKENY, Iowa — Whether youre celebrating with family or friends, Thanksgiving meals can come with high expectations – especially if youre in charge of the turkey.
If you have questions about cooking your Thanksgiving turkey, Local 5 is On Your Side. We met with Tim Jensen, a hospitality careers instructor and executive chef for the Iowa Culinary Institute, to answer some of the most common questions about preparing your turkey dinner.
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which means it’s time to start preparing for the big meal One of the most important steps is determining when to put the turkey in the fridge to thaw Properly thawing your turkey ensures it cooks evenly and safely. Follow these tips for knowing exactly when you should transfer your frozen bird to the refrigerator.
How Far in Advance to Thaw Your Turkey
The first step is deciding when you need to move your turkey from the freezer to the fridge. The general rule of thumb is to allow 24 hours of thawing time for every 4-5 pounds of turkey weight.
For example, if you have a 16 pound turkey, you’ll want to transfer it to the fridge about 4 days before cooking. I always recommend putting your turkey in the fridge to thaw the weekend before Thanksgiving. This gives you a few days of wiggle room in case it needs more time to completely defrost.
Thawing in the refrigerator is the safest method, as it keeps the turkey at a cold constant temperature. Never thaw turkey on the counter or in warm water as bacteria can multiply rapidly above 40°F.
Checking Your Turkey’s Thaw Progress
Once your turkey is in the fridge, you’ll want to monitor its progress daily Check to see that the ice crystals are melting and the cavity is becoming more flexible The thicker parts like the breast and thighs may still feel icy even when fully thawed.
Press down gently to see if the flesh feels soft and thawed. If it still feels very firm or frozen, it needs more time. As it thaws, the turkey will also start to smell fresher.
If it seems like your turkey is thawing slower than expected, you can speed up the process. Submerge it in a container of cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes until thawed. Cook immediately after thawing this way.
Is It Safe to Cook a Partially Frozen Turkey?
You never want to cook a turkey that is still partially frozen, as the center could remain dangerously undercooked. The USDA recommends thawing turkeys in the fridge until completely defrosted. This is especially important for larger birds.
If you notice your turkey is not fully thawed on Thanksgiving morning, do not risk cooking it. You’ll need to employ one of these safe thawing methods instead:
- Place in cold water as described above. This can thaw a turkey in as little as 4 hours.
- Cook it partially in the oven at 300°F, then finish cooking once thawed.
- Cut turkey into smaller pieces to thaw quicker in the fridge.
Cooking from frozen can lead to foodborne illness, so be sure to allot enough thaw time in advance.
How Long a Thawed Turkey Lasts in the Fridge
Once your turkey is fully defrosted, it can safely remain in the fridge for 1-2 days before cooking. This gives you a bit of wiggle room in case your Thanksgiving prep runs behind schedule.
Keep the turkey stored in a shallow pan on the bottom shelf of the fridge, where temperatures are coldest. It should remain at 40°F or below. Cook within 1-2 days for the best quality, before it starts to deteriorate.
A thawed, cooked turkey will last 3-4 days refrigerated. Be sure to carve off all meat within this timeframe to allow for quicker cooling. Discard any turkey if left longer than 4 days.
Storing a Frozen Turkey Safely Until Thawing
Turkeys can be purchased frozen weeks or even months in advance. Keep the turkey stored in your freezer at 0°F until it’s time to thaw. This prevents any bacterial growth.
Use freezer bags or airtight packaging to prevent freezer burn. Place the turkey on a tray to catch any juices and prevent cross-contamination.
Do not purchase pre-stuffed or injected frozen turkeys, as they take longer to thaw. Opt for a plain frozen turkey if buying well in advance.
Double check your freezer temperature with a thermometer and avoid repeated openings. This keeps the turkey safely frozen until you’re ready to move it to the refrigerator 4-5 days pre-Thanksgiving.
Thawing Turkey FAQs
Here are answers to some common questions about getting your turkey thawed and ready for the big feast:
How long does it take to thaw a 12 pound turkey?
A 12 pound turkey will need 2-3 full days in the fridge to thaw. Move it from the freezer by Sunday or Monday before Thanksgiving.
Can I thaw on the counter overnight?
Never thaw a turkey at room temperature or on the counter, even if just for a few hours. This puts the turkey in the danger zone for rapid bacteria growth.
If my turkey won’t defrost in time, can I cook it frozen?
Do not cook a partially frozen or fully frozen turkey. It must be completely thawed before putting it in the oven to ensure food safety.
What if my turkey thaws sooner than expected?
A thawed turkey can keep 1-2 days in the fridge. If you end up thawing your turkey earlier in the week, simply keep it properly refrigerated until Thanksgiving day.
Can I refreeze a thawed turkey?
Once thawed, raw turkey should not be refrozen. It must be cooked within 1-2 days to prevent bacteria growth.
How do I know if my turkey is thawed?
Check that the flesh is soft when pressed down and the inner cavity is no longer frozen. Let it sit in the fridge until completely defrosted, with no ice crystals remaining.
Enjoy a Safely Thawed Bird This Thanksgiving
Allowing enough thaw time for your turkey in the refrigerator is one of the most important steps to prep for Thanksgiving dinner. Moving your frozen turkey from the freezer to the fridge 4-5 days before cooking will ensure it defrosts completely, evenly, and safely.
Monitor the thaw progress and do not risk cooking a partially frozen turkey. With some advance planning, you’ll be ready to safely roast your thawed turkey just in time for holiday feasting!
What’s the best way to cook a turkey?
Theres no one “best” way to cook a turkey for Thanksgiving, but roasting it in the oven is the most common tactic. To make your turkey your own, consider brining the bird or using a dry rub.
“Personally, I like to go with the traditional compound butter, like an herb butter, rub it under the skin,” Jensen said. “A lot of vegetables, mirepoix: carrots, celery, onion, apples, fill the turkey with that. Get it up into the roasting pan and let it roast like that to get a good caramelization on the skin.”
How to (safely) deep fry a turkey
If youre deep frying a turkey this Thanksgiving, safety is key. Always deep fry turkeys while outside and far away from any buildings.
The second priority: make sure your turkey is as dry as possible. When your turkey is too wet, the water starts to boil instantly when the turkey hits the oil. From there, the oil bubbles up out of the pot and hits the flame, which often causes fires.
“You want to make sure your turkey is nice and dry, and youre far enough away from anything that can catch on fire, that should something go wrong, you dont burn your house down,” Jensen said.
This safety advice is echoed by the Des Moines Fire Department.
“One of the most important things we want to pay attention to is making sure that we use a completely thawed turkey. We want to make sure that that bird is also dry before submerging it in the oil itself,” said Ahman Douglass, a firefighter with DMFD. “And we want to make sure that were not using turkey fryers on garages on decks. And we want to stay at least 10 feet away from anything combustible … sides of the garages, sides of houses, things of that nature.”