Turkey Day will be here before you know it, and you know what 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 that's make or break for pulling off the perfect meal: determining how long it'll take to thaw your turkey.
Gibson Overseas Inc. The Pioneer Woman Sweet Rose 16-inch Enamel on Steel Roaster with Rack
Gibson Overseas Inc. The Pioneer Woman Sweet Rose 16-inch Enamel on Steel Roaster with Rack
Whether it's your first year hosting the family feast or you're a seasoned veteran, a little prep can go along way. After all, there's nothing more detrimental than waking up on the day of to a rock-solid, frozen bird. Have no fear! No matter if you snagged a turkey on the freezer aisle of your local supermarket or purchased a mail-order turkey, a little simple math is all you'll need to ensure your bird is ready to go on Turkey Day. Just follow the formula below!
But before you get to Thanksgiving week, there's a few things to keep in mind. First, keep the packaging for your turkey intact. You'll need to know the weight to calculate its thaw time. Second, you'll need to choose a thawing method. Below we've outlined a few of the easiest. Third, once the turkey is thawed, you'll need to brine it and cook it. Land on your preferred recipes early so you have all the ingredients in place.
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?
If you're short on time, thawing a turkey in cold water is the best method to try. It's quicker than thawing in the fridge, but not quick enough to start on Thanksgiving morning, so be sure to still plan ahead. You should also keep in mind that the water-thawing method isn't exactly hands-off. In fact, it requires constant attention.
Keep the bird in its original packaging, or, if you've already removed it, place the turkey in an extra-large resealable plastic bag and seal it. Submerge the packaged turkey in a sink or large-enough bin filled with cold water, using a heavy pie plate or baking dish placed on top of the turkey to keep it submerged. Now here's the hard part: You'll have to change the water every 30 minutes to keep it cold so that the bird stays at a safe temperature. Expect this method to take most of the day. For a 15- to 16-pound bird, this process will take about eight hours and 16 changes of water.
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.
Can you leave a turkey out to thaw?
Don't even think about it! The USDA does not recommend leaving a frozen turkey out at room temperature to thaw, whether it's on your kitchen countertop or in the sink—the outside of the turkey will thaw long before the center of the bird does, making it a ripe scenario for bacteria. Similarly, do not let a frozen turkey thaw in a warm spot, such as direct sunlight on your countertop.
A thawed turkey, however, may sit at room temperature for up to two hours—anything longer than that, and you're taking on a food-safety risk that just isn't worth it.
