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Learn How to Thaw Turkey for Thanksgiving safely, easily, and in as little time as possible! Plus, I’ll share the best Thanksgiving turkey recipes with you along with a few classic side dishes for the holiday.
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How to Thaw a Turkey
There are three methods you can follow to thaw a frozen turkey. For the safest, best results, thaw your turkey in the refrigerator. Defrosting a turkey in the fridge takes several days depending on its weight.
If you’re in a rush, you can thaw turkey in cold water or even in the microwave. However, if you’re defrosting the turkey in cold water, keep in mind you will need to change the water out as necessary to keep it cold – which could be every 30 minutes.
Thawing in the microwave is possible only if you have a large enough microwave or a small enough turkey.
No matter which method you use, I will show you how to defrost a turkey safely and effectively!
How Long to Thaw a Turkey in the Refrigerator
- Keep the turkey in its original packaging while it thaws; don’t unwrap it.
- Place the bird breast-side up in a baking pan. This prevents any juices from dripping out into the refrigerator as it thaws.
- Add to the refrigerator and thaw for 1 day per 5 pounds of turkey. For example, a 20 pound turkey will take 4 days to thaw using this method. See How long does it take turkey to thaw? for more information.
Turkey thawed in the refrigerator can be kept for up to 2 days after thawing.
Thawing a Turkey in Cold Water
- Fill a sink or large bucket with cold water. The water must be cold! Never thaw in warm or hot water.
- Keep the turkey in its original packaging and add it to a large plastic bag that won’t leak or take in any water. Push any extra air out of the bag and seal it tightly.
- Add the bagged turkey to the cold water bath. It may need to be weighed down; you can do this using anything heavy, like cans or a heavy plate.
- Change the cold water as necessary to keep it cold – generally, every 30 minutes.
For safety, turkey thawed in a cold water bath should be cooked immediately after thawing. Only use this method if you’re in a rush!
Thawing a Turkey in the Microwave
Check how big of a turkey your specific model of microwave can fit to thaw by consulting the owner’s manual. The owner’s manual of your microwave will tell you how many minutes per pound and the power level to use when thawing a turkey.
This is important – times and power levels vary between microwaves! Generally, turkey thawed in the microwave will require 6 minutes per pound.
- Remove all wrapping, tags, and clips from your turkey. You want to make nothing but the bird is going into the microwave.
- Place the turkey breast-side up in a microwave-safe pan. This is important to catch the drippings from the bird.
- Thaw according to instructions fitting your model of microwave, or 6 minutes per pound as a general rule.
For safety, turkey thawed in the microwave should be cooked immediately after thawing. This method is great if you’re in a hurry.
How Long to Thaw a Turkey
How long a turkey takes to thaw depends on two factors: your thawing method, and the size of the turkey.
- Refrigerator thawing: In the refrigerator, a turkey will take 1 day per 4 to 5 pounds of weight to thaw. For example, a 20 pound turkey will take about 4 days to thaw in the refrigerator.
- Cold water thawing: If thawing in a cold water bath, turkey will take 30 minutes per pound. For example, a 14 pound turkey would take 7 hours or so to thaw in a water bath.
- Microwave thawing: If you have a small enough turkey to fit in the microwave, you can use the defrost function based on the weight of your turkey. Allow 6 minutes per pound when thawing turkey in the microwave. For best results, rotate the turkey and flip it to make sure all parts defrost evenly.
For a quick reference guide to how long to thaw a turkey in the refrigerator or in a cold water bath, follow this turkey defrost time calculator:
| Turkey Weight | Days to Thaw in Refrigerator | Time to Thaw in Cold Water |
|---|---|---|
| 6-11 pounds | 2 days | 3 to 5½ hours |
| 12-15 pounds | 3 days | 6 to 7½ hours |
| 16-20 pounds | 4 days | 8 to 10 hours |
| 21-24 pounds | 5 days | 10½ to 12 hours |
Note: it is extremely important to thaw your turkey safely using one of the methods above. Never, ever thaw your turkey on the counter.
FAQs
Turkey thawed in the refrigerator can be kept for 2 days in the fridge after thawing before it should be cooked. If you defrost turkey in a cold water bath or in the microwave, it should be cooked immediately. So, those methods should only be used on the day of.
Add the number of days of thawing time to 2 days refrigerated time. For example, if you have a 20-pound bird, thaw for 4 days in the refrigerator, then keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 days after thawing; this gives you 6 days before Thanksgiving to thaw your turkey in the refrigerator.
Never leave a turkey out at room temperature to thaw. Turkey takes a long time to thaw and needs to be thawed safely using one of the three methods above. Thawing turkey at room temperature is very likely to make you and your family sick.
Best Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes
Ready to thaw your turkey? Try one of my best turkey recipes for Thanksgiving!
- Boneless Turkey Roast
- Air Fryer Turkey Breast
- Instant Pot Turkey Breast
- Grilled Turkey for Thanksgiving
- Best Thanksgiving Turkey
No turkey dish is complete without my incredible Turkey Rub Recipe! This easy rub makes a world of difference. Try it out!
Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Try one of my best Thanksgiving side dishes to pair with your turkey:
Give our Popular Thanksgiving Dishes a try for even more ideas!
Which method do you use to thaw your turkey? What’s on your Thanksgiving menu this year? I love to hear from you! Let me know in the comments below!
Let us know what you think or ask a question about the recipe!