Thanksgiving is a beloved holiday centered around food family and gratitude. The star of the Thanksgiving meal is often the turkey – roasted, stuffed, and displayed at the center of the table. However, cooking the perfect turkey requires planning and forethought. One of the most important steps is knowing when to take your turkey out of the freezer to thaw it in time for Thanksgiving dinner.
How Far in Advance Should You Thaw Your Turkey?
The timeline for thawing your turkey depends on a few factors
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Turkey Size: Smaller turkeys thaw faster than larger ones. An 8 to 12 pound turkey takes 2 to 3 days to thaw in the refrigerator. A 12 to 16 pound turkey takes 3 to 4 days. A 16 to 20 pound turkey takes 4 to 5 days. And a 20 to 24 pound turkey takes 5 to 6 days.
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Thawing Method: Thawing in the refrigerator takes longer but is safest. Thawing in cold water is faster but requires more monitoring.
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Refrigerator Temperature: Ensure your refrigerator is around 40°F or below for proper food safety.
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Frozen Solid: Be sure your turkey is completely frozen when you start the thawing process.
Thawing Tips and Timeline for Thanksgiving 2023
To ensure your turkey is fully thawed and ready for roasting on Thanksgiving day, follow this timeline:
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Monday, November 19: Take out turkeys 16 pounds or larger from the freezer to thaw in the refrigerator.
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Tuesday, November 20: Take out turkeys 12 to 16 pounds from the freezer to refrigerator thaw.
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Wednesday, November 21: Take out turkeys 8 to 12 pounds and thaw in the fridge.
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Never thaw turkey at room temperature: This allows bacterial growth. Refrigerator thaw is safest.
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Monitor the thawing process: Check daily and reposition turkey to thaw evenly.
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Cook within 4 days of refrigerator thawing: Use thawed turkey within 4 days for food safety.
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Cold water thaw if short on time: Submerge wrapped turkey in cold water, changing water every 30 minutes. Estimate 30 minutes thawing time per pound. Cook immediately after thawing.
Turkey Thawing FAQs
Can I thaw my turkey at room temperature? No, room temperature thawing is very unsafe and allows rapid bacterial growth. Always thaw in the refrigerator or with the cold water method.
What if I forgot to take out my turkey? Use the cold water thawing method if short on time. But this doesn’t allow for brining or salt application.
How can I tell my turkey is fully thawed? Check the breast meat and inner thighs. The meat should be soft and pliable when pressed, with no ice crystals or frozen spots remaining.
Can I refreeze a thawed turkey? It is not recommended. Thawed turkey should be cooked fully before attempting to refreeze.
Is it safe to cook a fully frozen turkey? Yes, but it will take significantly longer. Ensure the turkey cooks to a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
Can I brine my turkey while frozen? No, only brine fully thawed turkey. Brining is most effective when the turkey can absorb the brine fully.
Can I thaw my turkey in the microwave? No, microwave thawing can partially cook the meat and cause uneven thawing.
Take Out Your Turkey Soon for a Delicious Thanksgiving!
Thawing your Thanksgiving turkey safely ahead of time ensures it will be ready to roast to golden perfection right on schedule. Refer to this timeline and tips as your holiday planning guide. Most importantly, remember to take your turkey out of the freezer well in advance. Following proper thawing methods will set you up for Thanksgiving success!
How much your turkey weighs will make a difference in how long it needs to thaw NBCUniversal Media, LLC
Although Thanksgiving for 2024 is still seven days away, youre going to need to take your frozen turkey out of the freezer long before then, experts say.
According to Butterball, a refrigerator-thawed turkey may be kept in the fridge at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below for up to four days before cooking. And while theres another popular thaw method, both require advance planning and thawing time before its time to stuff the bird and stick it in the oven.
Plus, how much your turkey weighs will make a difference.
Heres how the two methods work, and what you need to know about each:
How long to thaw a turkey in the refrigerator
Refrigerator thawing is the preferred method, Butterball says, and the least labor-intensive. But it requires more time.
Butterball recommends at least one day of thawing for every four pounds of turkey. That means, for a 12-pound turkey, youll be thawing it in the refrigerator for three days.
The turkey should be thawed breast side up and kept in its original, unopened wrapper, on a tray in the fridge, which must be at 40-degrees Fahrenheit or below.
According to Butterball, the turkey should be used within four days after fridge thawing.