Thanksgiving Day is just days away, but let’s face it: Hosting this holiday dinner is no easy feat. From knowing when to start thawing a turkey to how much turkey to make and the perennial question of will I have enough food for my guests, there’s a lot of pressure to make this delicious holiday perfect.
Beyond the chaos involved in preparing a dinner of epic proportions, food safety should be the top priority. After all, friends and family should end the day with leftover pumpkin pie — not food poisoning.
We compiled a few must-follow tips that will make thawing a frozen turkey so much easier. While there are a few different ways to thaw a turkey for Thanksgiving, nearly all of them require starting the process a few days prior to turkey day, so it’s important to prep accordingly and start the process early. Here’s what you need to do you prepare for a safe and delicious feast.
The holidays are fast approaching, which means it’s time to start preparing the star of your festive feast – the turkey! While you can cook a frozen turkey, it will take much longer to cook through and may not turn out as moist and flavorful. Properly thawing your turkey ensures it cooks evenly and results in the delicious, tender meat we all look forward to. But how far in advance do you need to transfer that frozen bird to the fridge? Let’s break it down.
Why Thaw Your Turkey in the Refrigerator?
Thawing your turkey in the refrigerator is the safest method recommended by the USDA as it keeps the turkey consistently chilled at 40°F or below. Leaving a turkey to thaw at room temperature allows bacteria to multiply rapidly on the outer areas that enter the “danger zone” between 40-140°F.
Refrigerator thawing also leads to a more tender, juicy turkey. As the turkey gradually defrosts, the ice crystals melt which allows the meat fibers to relax. Quick thawing techniques don’t give the fibers time to loosen up before cooking.
How Long Does a 20 Pound Turkey Take to Thaw?
The general guideline is 24 hours of fridge time for every 4-5 pounds of turkey For a 20 pound turkey, you’ll want to allow 4-5 full days in the refrigerator
Here’s a handy defrosting time chart based on turkey size:
- 10 to 18 pounds: 2 to 3 1⁄2 days
- 18 to 22 pounds: 3 1⁄2 to 4 1⁄2 days
- 22 to 24 pounds: 4 1⁄2 to 5 days
- 24 to 29 pounds: 5 to 6 days
So for a 20 pounder, plan on 4 to 5 days of thawing time in the fridge.
Tips for Thawing a 20 Pound Turkey
Here are some important tips to safely thaw a 20 pound turkey in the fridge
- Keep the turkey in its original wrapping or place in a leak-proof plastic bag to prevent cross-contamination.
- Put the wrapped turkey on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any dripping juices.
- Place turkey on a lower shelf to prevent raw juices from contaminating other foods.
- Allow about 24 hours per 4-5 pounds of turkey weight.
- Drain any accumulated liquid daily so the turkey doesn’t sit in juices.
- Cook within 1-2 days after the turkey is fully thawed.
What If I’m Short on Time?
If you’re behind schedule, you have two faster thawing options:
Cold Water Method: Submerge the wrapped turkey in a sink of cold water, changing water every 30 minutes. Allow 30 minutes per pound. A 20 pound turkey will need about 10 hours submerged. The downside is cook times may be longer since the meat doesn’t have time to properly relax.
Microwave Thawing: Use the defrost setting based on turkey weight if your microwave is large enough. However, microwaving can lead to uneven thawing and starts cooking the meat. Cook immediately after microwaving.
No matter which thawing method you use, be sure to use a food thermometer to verify the turkey reaches 165°F before serving. Allowing enough thawing time for a 20 pound bird ensures your holiday turkey turns out perfectly juicy and delicious!
How to thaw a turkey in cold water
If you plan to thaw the turkey in cold water, make sure to seal it in a large, leak-proof plastic bag before submerging it. This will prevent any cross-contamination and ensure that the bird won’t absorb any extra water during the thawing process.
Next, fill a bowl or bucket that’s big enough to fit the bird with cold tap water. Submerge the wrapped turkey in the water and change the water every 30 minutes, which ensures that the bird stays at a safe temperature and wards 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. A 15-pound bird will thaw in eight hours. Adjust the thawing time based on the size of the turkey you purchased.
Still having trouble determining the thaw time of your Thanksgiving turkey? Check out Butterball’s thawing calculator, which will guide you through the process of safely thawing a turkey in the refrigerator or cold water.
How to thaw a turkey in the refrigerator
First things first: Don’t thaw a turkey on the kitchen countertop. Meat or poultry left thawing on the counter at room temperature can become a nesting area for nasty bacteria. Instead, plan to thaw a turkey in the refrigerator.
Place the turkey on a deep rimmed sheet tray or or a roasting pan lined with a wire rack, which will catch any leaks. Arrange the bird breast side up (the plumpest area in between the wings) and wrap it tightly with plastic wrap. Place the tray or pan on the lowest shelf in your refrigerator to prevent the risk of foodborne illness. The lowest shelf in your refrigerator should house the food that needs to cook at the highest temperature, like poultry or red meat.
When thawing a turkey in the refrigerator, allow 24 hours of defrosting time for every 4 to 5 pounds of bird, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. So, if the turkey weighs 12 pounds, plan for it to defrost in the fridge for about three days. If 16 pounds or more, make sure it’s placed in the fridge four to five days before the holiday arrives. As a rule of thumb, thawing your turkey the weekend before Thanksgiving will ensure that it’s fully defrosted by the time you need to cook it on Thursday. Plus, this gives you plenty of time to brine it either with a wet brine or dry spice rub.
How long does it take to thaw a 20 pound turkey in the refrigerator?
FAQ
When should you start thawing a 20 pound turkey?
USDA says for any turkey, they recommend you start thawing in the fridge the Friday before Thanksgiving regardless of size. It will still be safe 2 days after being completely thawed out.
How long can a 20 lb turkey stay in the fridge?
If properly stored, raw turkey can last in the fridge for 1–2 days, while cold cuts last up to 5 days. How long does cooked turkey last in the fridge? If you have leftovers that include cooked turkey, you can expect those to last in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.
How many days does it take a 15 lb turkey to thaw in the refrigerator?
It takes 24 hours for every four to five pounds of weight for a turkey to thaw in the refrigerator (a 15-pound turkey will take three days to thaw in your refrigerator). A completely thawed turkey can remain in the refrigerator for one or two days before cooking.