How to Thaw a Frozen Turkey Safely
How Long to Thaw Turkey
Figuring out how long you should thaw turkey can be a challenge. This chart covers how long you should defrost based on the size of your bird and the method you use.
| Turkey Weight | Refrigerator | Cold Water | Microwave |
| 4 lbs | 1 day | 2 hours | 24 minutes |
| 8 lbs | 2 days | 4 hours | 48 minutes |
| 12 lbs | 3 days | 6 hours | 1 hour 12 minutes |
| 16 lbs | 4 days | 8 hours | 1 hours 36 minutes |
| 20 lbs | 5 days | 10 hours | 2 hours |
| 24 lbs | 6 days | 12 hours | 2 hours 24 minutes |
No matter which method you choose, remember to thaw your turkey well in advance so it cooks evenly. This is especially important for deep-fried turkeys!
How to Thaw Turkey in the Refrigerator
This is your best option. While it takes up a large amount of space in your fridge, it’s also the ideal way to keep your turkey at safe temperatures during thawing. In fact, it’s so safe the USDA says you can re-freeze your turkey after defrosting it this way.
Place your turkey (in its original packaging) in the refrigerator on a large platter to catch any drippings. If you don’t have a platter large enough, you can use a clean, unscented trash bag—just make sure it doesn’t have any holes in it.
How long to thaw turkey in the refrigerator: Defrost the turkey for approximately 24 hours for every four pounds. So, a 16-pound bird would take about four days.
When you should cook the turkey: Since this method safely thaws poultry, you can wait one to two days before cooking your turkey.
How to Thaw Turkey in Cold Water
The cold water method is a bit quicker if you’re short on time. It takes as little as 30 minutes per pound. That means a 20-pound turkey will be ready to cook in ten hours instead of five days! In order to keep the turkey at a safe temperature, you’ll have to change out the water every 30 minutes.
Place the turkey (in its original packaging) in a leak-proof plastic bag. Submerge the wrapped turkey under cold water and change the water every 30 minutes for however long your turkey needs.
How long to thaw turkey in cold water: Defrost the turkey 30 minutes per pound. A 16-pound bird will take eight hours to thaw.
When you should cook the turkey: Cook the turkey immediately after thawing.
How to Thaw Turkey in the Microwave
We’d really only recommend this method in extreme emergencies. That is, of course, assuming you can fit a turkey in your microwave! Ideally, you should follow your microwave’s instruction manual for the correct power level and timing.
Be sure to unwrap the turkey from its original packaging before placing it in the microwave. The turkey should be able to fit on a plate or a dish with a small lip (to catch turkey juices) that allows it to rotate without getting caught against the walls. If it can’t rotate properly because the bird is too large, the microwave might not be a safe option.
How long to thaw turkey in the microwave: The USDA recommends microwaving for about six minutes per pound. A 12-pound turkey would take about an hour and 12 minutes to thaw.
When you should cook the turkey: This method may start to cook portions of the turkey as it thaws. Because of that, it’s extremely important to cook it immediately after thawing.
Can you thaw the turkey on the countertop?
If you’re wondering why there isn’t a countertop method, that’s because it’s never safe to thaw a turkey at room temperature. These temperatures can cause bacteria to grow on poultry. No one wants to spend the holiday with a foodborne illness, so just don’t do it.
How can you tell when the turkey is thawed?
The easiest way to check if your turkey is done thawing is to reach inside the bird and feel to see if there’s any ice inside. You can also poke it with a fork to see if it’s still hard and icy. If you can poke with ease, it’s time to cook the turkey.