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.
As Thanksgiving approaches, one of the most common questions is when to take the turkey out of the fridge. Properly thawing your turkey is crucial for food safety, ensuring it cooks evenly, and timing your Thanksgiving meal just right. Follow this guide on when and how to thaw your turkey and you’ll be ready to serve up a perfect holiday feast.
Why Thawing is Important
A frozen turkey needs ample time to defrost before cooking If you don’t thaw properly, the turkey will still be frozen or partially frozen on Thanksgiving day. Cooking a frozen or partially frozen turkey leads to
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Uneven cooking – The outside thaws and overcooks while the inside remains undercooked and frozen. This creates a big food safety risk
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Longer cooking time – A frozen turkey can take 50-100% longer to fully cook through which can throw off your entire meal schedule.
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Dry, tough meat – The extended cooking leads to drier, tougher meat.
Thawing gives you a turkey ready to roast straight from the fridge for tender, juicy meat and even cooking.
When to Take Turkey Out of Fridge
The right thawing timeline depends on the size of your turkey. Here’s a general guide:
- 12 lbs or under – Take out of freezer 3-4 days before cooking
- 12 – 16 lbs – Take out 4-5 days before
- 16 – 20 lbs – Take out 5-6 days before
- 20 – 24 lbs – Take out 6-7 days before
Ideally, you’ll want to plan ahead and leave yourself some extra time. It’s always better to thaw a few days early rather than take the turkey out at the last minute.
Check on your turkey after 3 days in the fridge. If still icy, give it another day. You want the turkey completely thawed but still chilled when cooking.
If you find yourself short on time, you can thaw in cold water in 30 minutes per pound, changing the water every 30 minutes. Avoid thawing at room temperature as this creates a food safety risk.
How to Thaw Your Turkey
The safest way to thaw a turkey is in the refrigerator:
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Place your wrapped turkey on a tray or rimmed sheet to catch any juices.
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Put in the fridge, set at 40°F or below. Thaw 24 hours for every 4-5 lbs.
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Check daily and drain any collected juices.
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Once thawed, use within 1-2 days.
Make space! Your turkey needs ample room to thaw safely. Keep other items like produce and leftovers on lower shelves to avoid cross contamination.
If short on fridge space, you can thaw in a cooler kept at 40°F. Make sure to keep ice packs regularly changed out.
Never thaw at room temperature over 2 hours. Bacteria multiply rapidly between 40-140°F.
What if My Turkey is Still Partially Frozen?
Don’t panic if your turkey is still icy in spots on Thanksgiving morning. You have a couple options:
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Place in cold water 30 minutes per pound until thawed. For food safety, cook immediately after.
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Cook from frozen. It will take substantially longer, but test with a meat thermometer for doneness.
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Finish thawing in the fridge if you have time. Monitor temperature using a food thermometer.
Most importantly, do not let your turkey sit out at room temperature to thaw once started. Cook or refreeze immediately.
Troubleshooting Thanksgiving Turkey Thawing
Here are some common thawing issues and how to handle:
Forgot to thaw or did not thaw enough: Switch to cold water thaw. This thaws a frozen turkey in about 30 minutes per pound.
Thawed too early: If thawed over 2 days before cooking, put back in the fridge or freeze again. Cook within 1 year for best quality.
Thawed at room temperature too long: Cook immediately if under 2 hours at room temperature. If over 2 hours, it is not safe to cook. Discard turkey.
Not fully thawed when cooking: Add 50% more cooking time if partially frozen. Use a thermometer to test doneness. Thaw remaining frozen portions in cold water.
Safely Handling Thawed Turkey
Once thawed and ready to cook, proper handling of your turkey is critical:
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Cook within 1-2 days of fridge thawing. Do not refreeze thawed turkey.
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Keep refrigerated until ready to cook.
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Avoid rinsing or washing, which spreads bacteria.
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Don’t let raw turkey juices touch utensils, plates, countertops. Wash any contaminated surfaces.
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Cook to an internal temperature of 165°F. Check with a meat thermometer.
Follow these simple guidelines, allow plenty of thawing time, and check your turkey ahead of the big feast. With proper planning and handling, you’ll have a perfectly thawed turkey ready for roasting on 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.
Thawing a turkey in cold water
If youre short on time, thawing a turkey in cold water is the best method to try. Its quicker than thawing in the fridge, but not quick enough to start on Thanksgiving morning, so be sure to still plan ahead. You should also keep in mind that the water-thawing method isnt exactly hands-off. In fact, it requires constant attention.
Keep the bird in its original packaging, or, if youve already removed it, place the turkey in an extra-large resealable plastic bag and seal it. Submerge the packaged turkey in a sink or large-enough bin filled with cold water, using a heavy pie plate or baking dish placed on top of the turkey to keep it submerged. Now heres the hard part: Youll have to change the water every 30 minutes to keep it cold so that the bird stays at a safe temperature. Expect this method to take most of the day. For a 15- to 16-pound bird, this process will take about eight hours and 16 changes of water.
How long will a thawed turkey keep in the fridge?
FAQ
How early should I take turkey out of fridge before cooking?
When to take turkey out to thaw?
How long to thaw a 15 pound turkey in the fridge?
How long does it take to thaw a Turkey?
Refrigerator Thawing (Recommended) 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.
How long can a thawed Turkey stay in the fridge?
A completely thawed turkey can remain in the refrigerator for one or two days before cooking. To thaw in cold water, submerge the bird in its original wrapper in cold tap water, changing the water every 30 minutes. Cook the turkey immediately after thawing.
Can You defrost a Turkey in the fridge?
To defrost a turkey in the refrigerator, plan on 24 hours of fridge time for every 5 pounds of turkey. For instance, if you have a 20-pound turkey, make sure you have enough time for 4 full days of thawing in the fridge. Store it on the bottom of your fridge, fully wrapped, in a rimmed baking sheet or roasting pan.
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.