Here’s when to take your turkey out of the freezer

On November 22, 2024By Littum

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) — If you’ve bought a frozen turkey for your Thanksgiving meal, preparation must begin days ahead of time.

Depending on the size, some turkeys may take days to thaw. If your frozen turkey weighs over 20 pounds, the Friday before Thanksgiving is the best day to take it out of the freezer to thaw in the refrigerator before cooking.

When should you start shopping for Thanksgiving?

Safely thawing a Turkey

Simply removing a turkey from the freezer and placing it on the counter is NOT a safe way to thaw a Thanksgiving bird. While the inside remains frozen, the outside of the turkey will quickly enter the “danger zone” between 40 and 140°, where food-borne bacteria can rapidly multiply. A turkey can enter this “danger zone” after sitting on the counter for just two hours.

There are three safe ways to thaw a turkey. The following are recommendations from US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to thaw your Thanksgiving turkey and avoid foodborne illness.

Defrost in refrigerator

Allow approximately 24 hours for each 5 pounds in a refrigerator set at 40° or below
Place the turkey in a container to prevent juices from dripping onto other items in your refrigerator
A turkey thawed in the refrigerator can be refrigerated for up to two days before cooking

Defrost times for refrigerator

4 to 12 pounds – 1 to 3 days
12 to 16 pounds – 3 to 4 days
16 to 20 pounds – 4 to 5 days
20 to 24 pounds – 5 to 6 days

*Be sure to calculate the thawing time based on when you plan to start COOKING your turkey.

Thawing in cold water

Allow 30 minutes per pound
Place the turkey in a leak-proof plastic bag to prevent cross-contamination and to prevent the turkey from absorbing excess water
Immerse the wrapped turkey in cold tap water. Change the water every 30 minutes until the turkey is thawed.
Cook the turkey immediately after thawing

Thawing times for cold water

4 to 12 pounds – 2 to 6 hours
12 to 16 pounds – 6 to 8 hours
16 to 20 pounds – 8 to 10 hours
20 to 24 pounds – 10 to 12 hours

Defrost in the microwave

Follow the instructions on your turkey’s package for thawing in the microwave
Cook the turkey immediately after thawing because some areas may begin to cook during the thawing process

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