Whether you have cooked dozens of turkeys or are hosting Thanksgiving dinner for the very first time, dealing with that large naked bird can be intimidating.
If your green bean casserole or dinner rolls are slightly lackluster, friends and family will let that slide. But under- or overcooked turkey will likely be part of everyone’s holiday memory for years to come.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s Rebecca Dittmar, program specialist for the agency’s food safety education program, shared some advice and guidelines on how to safely prepare, cook and serve a Thanksgiving turkey.
Thanksgiving is right around the corner which means it’s time to start preparing the star of the show – the turkey! Properly thawing your turkey is one of the most important steps to ensure it cooks evenly and safely. Follow this guide on when you should move your turkey from freezer to fridge for ideal defrosting this Thanksgiving 2023.
Overview of Turkey Defrosting
Defrosting a whole turkey takes advance planning and time. You need to allow enough time for the turkey to completely thaw before cooking. The safest thawing method is in the refrigerator as it keeps the turkey at a stable cool temperature where bacteria cannot easily grow.
When fridge-defrosting a turkey, you should allow 24 hours for every 4-5 pounds of turkey weight. So a 12 pound turkey would take 3 full days to defrost in the fridge. For turkeys 16 pounds or bigger, allot 4-5 days minimum in the refrigerator.
When to Start Defrosting Your Turkey
To figure out which day you should transfer your frozen turkey from the freezer to the refrigerator to defrost, first check the weight on the packaging. The heavier your turkey is, the earlier you’ll need to begin thawing it.
Follow these recommended timelines based on turkey size:
- 8-12 pound turkey: Place in the fridge on Sunday, November 19th.
- 12-16 pound turkey: Place in the fridge on Friday, November 17th.
- 16-20 pound turkey: Place in the fridge on Wednesday, November 15th.
- 20-24 pound turkey: Place in the fridge on Monday, November 13th.
For very large birds over 24 pounds, allow a full week and move it to the refrigerator on November 12th for safe measure.
The key is allowing 24 hours of defrosting for every 4-5 pounds of turkey weight. This ensures your turkey will be 100% thawed in time for roasting on Thanksgiving, November 23rd.
Step-By-Step Guide to Fridge Defrosting
Defrosting your turkey in the refrigerator is simple if you follow these steps:
- Check the turkey’s weight and calculate the total defrosting time needed.
- Clear out enough space in your refrigerator. Turkeys take up a good amount of room!
- Remove the giblets from the turkey cavity if they are included. Defrosting loosens them so they can leak.
- Place the turkey in a pan or tray to catch any juices that may drip.
- Transfer the turkey from the freezer to the refrigerator on the ideal day based on its size.
- Allow 24 hours for every 4-5 pounds as it defrosts.
- Check daily and drain any thawed juices so bacteria cannot propagate.
- The turkey is fully defrosted when the meat is soft and the cavity is no longer icy.
Once thawed, the turkey is safe in the fridge for 1-2 more days before cooking. Do not refreeze a thawed turkey – cook within this timeframe.
Turkey Defrosting Safety Tips
Follow these precautions when defrosting your turkey to keep it safe:
- Only use the refrigerator method, not the counter or warm water.
- Use the bottom shelf of the refrigerator below 40°F if possible.
- Place the turkey on a rimmed baking sheet or in a pan to catch juices.
- Wash hands thoroughly after handling raw turkey.
- Do not rinse or wash the turkey, as this can spread bacteria.
- Cook the turkey immediately after defrosting is complete.
Defrosting Times for Other Poultry
The 24 hours per 4-5 pounds rule applies to all poultry:
- Whole chicken: 1 day for every 4 pounds
- Chicken breasts: 1 day for every 1-2 pounds
- Whole duck: 1 day for every 4 pounds
- Cornish hens: 1-2 days for every 1-2 pounds
Do the quick math to figure out when you need to transfer your Thanksgiving bird or other poultry to the refrigerator for safe, properly timed defrosting.
Enjoy Your Perfectly Thawed Turkey
Allowing sufficient defrosting time in the fridge helps ensure your Thanksgiving turkey will be completely thawed and ready to prep, season, and cook when the big day arrives.
Simply follow the recommended timelines for when to move your turkey from freezer to refrigerator based on its weight. Then you’ll be able to enjoy delicious, juicy turkey with your loved ones this Thanksgiving!
How to thaw a frozen turkey
The slow thawing of frozen foods is preferred as it allows for minimum growth of bacteria, which can cause foodborne illness. Thawing your turkey in the refrigerator is the best way to prevent foodborne illness. To help prevent cross-contamination make sure your turkey is in a dish on the lowest shelf to protect the other food in your refrigerator.
- Refrigerator thawing: The recommended method is to allow 24 hours for each 4-5 pounds of bird weight in a refrigerator 40 degrees or lower. Once refrigerator-thawed, a turkey can be left in the refrigerator for one to two days before cooking.
- Cold-water thawing: Keep the turkey in its original wrapping and allow 30 minutes of defrosting per pound. Change the water every 30 minutes and be careful to avoid cross contamination. Do not let the water splash onto counters, cooking utensils or food. Make sure to thoroughly wash the sink afterward.
- Microwave thawing: Use the defrost function, remove outside wrapping and allow 6 minutes per pound. Cook immediately after thawing.
- Do not wash your turkey prior to cooking.
Be mindful of food safety
You also need to avoid the safety pitfalls associated with this holiday tradition, so practicing food safety is extremely important when it comes to handling that big bird.
Older, younger or immune-compromised family members or guests can be put in serious danger from foodborne illness from a lack of food safety — and that is something for which nobody will ever be thankful.
It’s important to properly cook the meat to the correct temperatures and to be mindful of sanitary food handling throughout the steps, whether preparing, cooking, carving, serving or storing leftovers.
“Approximately one in six people become infected with a foodborne illness each year,” Dittmar said. “These illnesses have flu-like symptoms and can put a damper on the holidays.”
How to Thaw a Frozen Turkey
FAQ
How many days does it take to thaw a 20 turkey?
| Turkey Weight | Refrigerator | Microwave |
|---|---|---|
| 12 lbs | 3 days | 1 hour 12 minutes |
| 16 lbs | 4 days | 1 hours 36 minutes |
| 20 lbs | 5 days | 2 hours |
| 24 lbs | 6 days | 2 hours 24 minutes |
How early is too early to thaw a turkey?
Once thawed, the turkey is safe for another two days, so you can start thawing it six days before thanksgiving (the Friday before Thanksgiving).Nov 18, 2016
How many days before Thanksgiving should I take turkey out of the freezer?
If 16 pounds or more, make sure it’s placed in the fridge four to five days before the holiday arrives.Nov 25, 2024
How long should it take an 8 to 12 pound turkey to thaw in a 40 F refrigerator?
| Turkey Size | Thaw In Refrigerator (set to 40 F or below) | Thaw In Cold Water (change water every 30 min.) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 to 12 lbs. | 1 to 3 days | 2 to 6 hours |
| 12 to 16 lbs. | 3 to 4 days | 6 to 8 hours |
| 16 to 20 lbs. | 4 to 5 days | 8 to 10 hours |
| 20 to 24 lbs. | 5 to 6 days | 10 to 12 hours |