How long do you thaw a turkey in the refrigerator

Turkey Day will be here before you know it. And that means it's time to start planning your Thanksgiving menu. Along with getting your holiday pies baked and your side dishes finalized, you'll need to start thinking about the centerpiece of the dinner table—the Thanksgiving turkey! Once you've figured out how much turkey to serve and you've done the holiday shopping, there's one more step to keep in mind: how long does it take to thaw a turkey?

Whether you got it in the freezer aisle or purchased a mail-order turkey, making sure your bird is properly thawed is one of the most important steps to a successful holiday feast. After all, you definitely do not want to wake up on Thanksgiving morning to a frozen turkey! Instead, follow the formula below to determine how long you need to thaw a frozen turkey—all it takes is a little bit of easy math!

First things first, be sure to keep the packaging or label from your bird because you’ll need to know the weight in order to calculate how long it will take to thaw. With that in mind, follow one of the easy methods for thawing turkey below! After thawing, the turkey will keep for up to four days in the fridge before you want to brine it and cook it. Planning is everything!

How do you thaw a turkey in the refrigerator?

The easiest, safest way to thaw a turkey is in the refrigerator—but this method will also take a few days for the average-size bird. According to the USDA, the formula for defrosting a turkey in the fridge is as follows: Allow for at least 24 hours for every four to five pounds. (FYI: This is specific to refrigerators at temperatures 40 degrees and below.) So, here's how it breaks down:

• 8 pounds: 2 days to defrost
• 12 pounds: 3 days to defrost
• 16 pounds: 4 days to defrost
• 20 pounds: 5 days to defrost

When using this method, place the turkey—still in its original packaging—in a roasting pan or on a rimmed baking sheet in case juices leak as it thaws.

How do you thaw a turkey in cold water?

The cold-water method is one of the faster ways to thaw a turkey. Depending on the size of your bird, you can thaw the turkey within a day—but keep in mind that it requires constant attention. The frozen turkey will need to be in its original packaging—if you've removed it, place the bird in an extra-large resealable plastic bag and seal it closed. Submerge the packaged frozen turkey in a sink or bin filled with very cold water and keep it submerged with a heavy pie plate or baking dish. The water will need to be changed every 30 minutes; it's very important that the water be cold in order to keep the bird at a safe temperature. For a 15- to 16-pound bird, this process will take about eight hours and 16 changes of water. Keep in mind that this takes much longer than if you're planning to reheat a cooked turkey for leftovers.

When should you start thawing a turkey?

Definitely not Thanksgiving morning! Considering the formula recommended by the USDA, a 16-pound frozen turkey should thaw in the refrigerator for at least four days before it's showtime—which means the Sunday before Thanksgiving would be the right time to start the thawing process. If you are cooking a larger bird (Ree has been known to cook a 20-pound turkey!), plan on extra time for thawing.

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There are three ways you can safely thaw frozen turkey: slow, medium, and fast. Take a look at the guidelines below for how to thaw a turkey and choose the method and timeline that works best for you, whether you're a plan-ahead cook or need a last-minute solution.

Slow: Thaw in the Refrigerator

How long it takes: Allow approximately 24 hours for every 5 pounds of turkey. A 15-pound bird will take about 3 days to thaw completely.

Tips for thawing turkey in the fridge:

• Keep the turkey in its original wrapping while it's thawing.
• Place breast-side-up in a baking pan to keep any drips from contaminating other foods and refrigerator surfaces.
• You can hold the thawed turkey in the fridge for up to 2 days before cooking.

Medium: Thaw in Cold Water

How long it takes: Allow approximately 30 minutes for every pound of turkey. A 15-pound bird will take about 7½ to 8 hours to thaw completely.

Tips for thawing turkey in cold water:

• Keep the turkey in its original wrapping, and place it in a larger, leak-proof plastic bag. Squeeze out extra air and seal the bag.
• Place the sealed bag breast-side down in a sink or bucket large enough so the turkey will be completely submerged. Fill with cold water. You may need to cover the turkey with a plate and place some heavy cans on top of it to keep it totally submerged. Change the cold water every 30 minutes.
• Cook the turkey immediately after thawing.

It is also possible to use a combination of the two methods: Use the fridge for the first two days of thawing, and finish in the sink early Thanksgiving morning.

Fast: Thaw in a Microwave Oven

How long it takes: Read the user manual for your oven to get instructions for thawing a frozen turkey. Times and power settings will be vary from model to model. In general, it could take an hour or more on the defrost setting, depending on the size of the turkey.

How to Thaw Turkey In the Microwave

• Take the turkey out of its wrapping, and remove metal clips or tags.
• Place the turkey breast-side up in a microwave-safe pan to catch any drips.
• After the turkey is thawed, wash the inside of your microwave to prevent cross contamination.
• Cook the turkey immediately after thawing.

Turkey-Thawing Times

The times shown are approximate, and are based on thawing a whole frozen turkey.

• Thaw time in the fridge requires about 24 hours for every 5 pounds in a refrigerator set at about 40 degrees F (5 degrees C).
• Thaw time in cold water requires about 30 minutes per pound in cold water, refreshed every 30 minutes.

How Long to Thaw a Frozen Turkey

Turkey WeightHow Long to Thaw In the FridgeHow Long to Thaw In Cold Water10 to 18 pounds2 to 3½ days5 to 9 hours18 to 22 pounds3½ to 4½ days9 to 11 hours22 to 24 pounds4½ to 5 days11 to 12 hours24 to 29 pounds5 to 6 days12 to 15 hours

We cannot over-emphasize food safety when it comes to thawing turkey. It's important to keep the whole turkey at a safe temperature throughout the thawing process to prevent bacterial growth that can lead to foodborne illness. That's why you never thaw a frozen turkey at room temperature on your kitchen counter, or in hot water.

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