Can You Leave a Turkey Out to Thaw Overnight? Here’s Why You Shouldn’t

It’s Thanksgiving prep time. You open the freezer and pull out the 20-pound frozen turkey you bought weeks ago. As you stare at the rock-solid bird, a thought crosses your mind – can I just leave the turkey on the counter to thaw overnight?

It may seem convenient, but leaving a frozen turkey to thaw on the counter overnight is unsafe Here’s a detailed look at why you should never thaw a turkey at room temperature overnight and what your better options are.

The Dangers of Leaving a Turkey Out to Thaw

Although it’s tempting to leave a frozen turkey out overnight to thaw quickly, resist the urge. This thawing method poses serious health risks.

Turkey is dense and takes a long time to thaw. When left at room temperature, the outer layer will begin thawing first while the inside remains frozen.

Here are the issues with this

• The outer layer enters the danger zone (40°F – 140°F) where bacteria multiply rapidly.

• The longer the turkey sits out past 2 hours the deeper the danger zone penetrates.

• Bacteria growth on the surface can spread internally once the inner turkey thaws.

According to the USDA, raw meat left out for over 2 hours at room temperature is not safe. And a 20-lb turkey will definitely take way longer than 2 hours to thaw on the counter.

So while that frozen center protects the inner turkey initially, it creates a breeding ground for bacteria over time.

Safer Ways to Thaw a Turkey

Now that you know why you shouldn’t leave a frozen turkey on the counter overnight, here are some safer thawing methods recommended by the USDA:

In the Refrigerator

This is the gold standard thawing method. Place the wrapped frozen turkey on a tray to catch any drips, then put it in the fridge. Allow 24 hours of thawing time per 4-5 pounds of turkey. A 20-lb turkey will need 4-5 days in the fridge.

The turkey thaws slowly and evenly at a safe temperature below 40°F.

In Cold Water

This thawing method is faster than the fridge. Submerge the wrapped turkey in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes. Allow 30 minutes of thawing time per pound. So a 20-lb turkey will need about 10 hours submerged in cold water.

Use a container big enough to cover the turkey completely. Keep the turkey wrapped while thawing. The cold water keeps it at a safe temp.

As Part of Cooking

You can skip thawing altogether by cooking a frozen turkey right away. This adds more cooking time. Figure 50% more time for a stuffed turkey and 75% more time for an unstuffed turkey.

Use an oven cooking bag for even cooking. The turkey will thaw as it cooks and the bag keeps it moist. Monitor the internal temp and let the turkey rest 20 minutes before carving.

Quick Thaw Tips

While you shouldn’t leave a frozen turkey on the counter overnight, you can still speed up the thawing process. Here are some tips:

• Place the turkey in the refrigerator immediately or thaw in the sink using cold water. Don’t delay.

• Thaw in a cooler environment – place the turkey in the bottom of the fridge rather than on a shelf.

• Use an efficient thawing tray designed to increase circulation around the turkey.

• Submerge the wrapped turkey in an ice water bath in the sink, changing water every 30 minutes.

• Use a blow dryer to thaw just the neck and giblets, if needed for gravy. Do not use a heat source directly on the main turkey.

Proper planning prevents poor performance! So plan ahead when thawing. Never let a frozen turkey sit out on the counter overnight. Follow safe refrigerator or cold water thawing guidelines instead for a bacteria-free bird.