FAQs
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 can you thaw a frozen turkey quickly? ›
Cold Water Thawing
- Thaw turkey breast side down, in an unopened wrapper, with enough cold water to cover your turkey completely.
- Change water every 30 minutes and if turkey cannot be completely covered, rotate every 30 minutes to keep the turkey chilled.
- You can expect 30 minutes of thawing per pound of turkey.
Thawing your turkey in the fridge is by far the safest and easiest method — it's totally hands-off — but it takes the longest and requires a few days of prep.
Can I leave my turkey out overnight to thaw? ›
Frozen turkeys should not be left on the back porch, in the car trunk, in the basem*nt, or any place else where temperatures cannot be constantly monitored. A package of frozen meat or poultry left thawing on the counter more than 2 hours is not at a safe temperature.
Can I thaw a frozen turkey in cold water? ›
In cold water
A faster thawing method is to submerge the frozen bird in cold water. You need to change the water every 30 minutes to be safe. While this method is faster, it still takes about 30 minutes per pound for complete thawing.
How long does it take to thaw a 10 lb turkey? ›
How Long to Thaw a Turkey
| Turkey Weight | How Long to Thaw in the Fridge | How Long to Thaw in Cold Water |
|---|
| 10 to 18 pounds | 2 to 3½ days | 5 to 9 hours |
| 18 to 22 pounds | 3½ to 4½ days | 9 to 11 hours |
| 22 to 24 pounds | 4½ to 5 days | 11 to 12 hours |
| 24 to 29 pounds | 5 to 6 days | 12 to 15 hours |
Oct 12, 2023
One way is to submerge the turkey in cold water. To do this, leave the turkey in the original package and put it in a properly sanitized sink or container full of cold water under 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Set the timer for 30 minutes. Next, change the water, replacing it with cold water.
What is the rule for thawing 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.
How do you make sure the turkey is completely thawed? ›
Check your turkey thaw with an instant-read thermometer
Use an instant-read thermometer, like our Thermapen® ONE, to verify your turkey's internal temperature in multiple locations before putting it in the oven. It should be above 32°F (0°C) That's right, you measure the temperature of your turkey before you cook it!
What is the formula for thawing a turkey? ›
Thawing in the fridge takes a day (24 hours) per every 4 pounds (1.8 kg) of meat. We can simplify this to ¼ of a day (6 hours) per pound (0.5 kg). If we wanted to turn this into an equation, we would get: turkey thawing time = weight in pounds * ¼ of a day .
Taking food safety into account, it is safe to roast a turkey that's still frozen, according to the USDA. If it's frozen solid, it will take 50% longer to cook than starting with a thawed turkey (which is still preferable).
Is a 3 year old frozen turkey still good? ›
Frozen Turkey
Turkeys can be kept in the freezer indefinitely. However, cook turkeys within 1 year for the best quality.
Why do you have to change the water every 30 minutes when thawing a turkey? ›
Submerge the wrapped turkey in the water and change the water every 30 minutes in order to help to ward off any contaminating bacteria. Allow 30 minutes of thawing time for each pound of turkey, which translates to about six hours for a 12-pound turkey.
Can you thaw a turkey in a cooler without ice? ›
Put the turkeys in unused plastic bags and place them in the coolers. Depending on weight, they'll need 3-4 days to thaw. Check after the first 2 days. Frozen turkeys provide their own refrigeration in a cooler; no ice is needed.
How long can a turkey be thawed out before it goes bad? ›
Information. It takes approximately 24 hours for every four to five pounds of whole turkey to thaw in the refrigerator. Once the turkey is thawed, you can keep it in the refrigerator for one to two additional days before cooking. For more information about thawing a turkey, go to Turkey Basics: Safe Thawing.
When to pull turkey out of the freezer? ›
Refrigerator thawing times for a frozen whole turkey:
- 4 to 12 pounds: 1 to 3 days ahead.
- 12 to 16 pounds: 3 to 4 days ahead.
- 16 to 20 pounds: 4 to 5 days ahead.
- 20 to 24 pounds: 5 to 6 days ahead.
If your turkey is frozen, you need to make sure it's properly defrosted before you cook it. If it's still partially frozen when it goes in the oven, recommended cooking times won't be long enough to cook it thoroughly. This means bacteria that cause food poisoning could survive the cooking process.
How long should you allow for thawing a frozen turkey in the refrigerator? ›
Information. It takes approximately 24 hours for every four to five pounds of whole turkey to thaw in the refrigerator. Once the turkey is thawed, you can keep it in the refrigerator for one to two additional days before cooking. For more information about thawing a turkey, go to Turkey Basics: Safe Thawing.
How long does it take to thaw a precooked frozen turkey? ›
If the turkey is frozen: Thaw, unopened, breast side up on a tray in the refrigerator for 2 to 4 days. DO NOT THAW AT ROOM TEMPERATURE. Butterball Oven Baked Whole Turkeys are fully cooked and ready to eat.
