You’ll be enjoying roast turkey with cranberry sauce and stuffing in no time…and don’t forget the gravy! It’s the perfect final touch.
How Long Does it Take to Thaw a Turkey
Tempting though it may be, don’t make the mistake of defrosting your bird at room temperature. There is too much opportunity for bacteria to multiply on the outer layer before the inside is thawed. Keep turkey cold while it thaws, either in the refrigerator or cold water. As for the length of time for thawing turkey that will depend on the size. While we’re on that subject, how big a bird should you buy? The rule of is one pound per person, so plan accordingly.
To Defrost in the Refrigerator
In a refrigerator set at 40°F, the average thaw time is 1 day for every 4-5 pounds.
14 – 18 pounds: 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 days 18 – 22 pounds: 4 1/2 to 5 1/2 days 22 – 24 pounds: 5 1/2 to 6 days 24 – 30 pounds: 6 to 7 days
To Defrost in Cold Water (Faster)
For thawing turkey in the cold water method, make sure you place your turkey breast side down and fully submerge in the water.
14 – 18 pounds: 7 to 9 hours 18 – 22 pounds: 9 to 11 hours 22 – 24 pounds: 11 to 13 hours 24 – 30 pounds: 13 to 16 hours
How to Defrost a Turkey in the Fridge
To safely thaw turkey in refrigerator, plan ahead for time and follow these steps: If the bird is very large, use disposable foil roasting pan with high sides for thawing in the fridge. This will catch any drips while defrosting plus it’s a great place to catch any juices when cutting off the wrapper. (You definitely don’t want to use those flimsy pans for roasting turkey, they don’t conduct heat well and and add tons of extra cook time!)
How to Defrost a Turkey in Cold Water
To get your bird thawed fast, use the cold water method. Armed with these steps for safely thawing turkey, you can rest easy in knowing that you’ll be serving your family a healthy and happy turkey dinner!
Delicious Thanksgiving Sides
Corn Pudding – sweet, rich custard-like casserole Make Ahead Turkey Stuffing – perfectly portioned Baked Mac and Cheese – favorite comfort food! Scalloped Potatoes Recipe – potato perfection Cranberry Waldorf Salad – packed with color & crunch!
