Every year somebody pulls the turkey out of the freezer on Tuesday night and expects it to be ready on Thursday morning. Then Thursday comes, and the middle is still a block of ice.
It isn’t your fault. Nobody tells you how slow a fridge really is. Here is the rule that makes it easy.
The Simple Rule
In the refrigerator, allow about one day for every 4 to 5 pounds of turkey.
So a 16-pound turkey needs about four days. If you want it ready for Thursday, it goes in the fridge on Sunday.
Fridge Thawing Chart
- 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
Leave it in its wrapper and set it in a pan or on a tray on the bottom shelf, so any drips don’t land on other food.
Once it’s thawed, a turkey keeps in the fridge for another one or two days before cooking.
Started Too Late? Use Cold Water
If you’re short on time, the cold-water method is much faster.
- Keep the turkey in a leak-proof bag.
- Sink it in cold tap water in a clean sink or a big cooler.
- Change the water every 30 minutes so it stays cold.
- Allow about 30 minutes per pound. A 16-pound bird takes about 8 hours.
- Cook it right away once it’s thawed.
What Not to Do
- Don’t thaw it on the counter. The outside warms up while the inside is still frozen.
- Don’t leave it in the garage or on the back porch. The temperature out there goes up and down all day.
- Don’t use hot water. It warms the outside of the bird into the danger zone.
Still Frozen on Thanksgiving Morning?
You can roast a turkey straight from frozen. It’s safe. It just takes about half again as long to cook. Take out the bag of giblets with tongs once it loosens. Always check with a thermometer: the thickest part of the thigh, the wing and the breast should all reach 165°F.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I thaw it in the microwave?
Only if your turkey fits and your microwave’s manual gives directions. Cook it right after.
Can I refreeze a turkey I thawed in the fridge?
Yes, if it was thawed in the fridge and hasn’t been out. The texture may suffer a little.
How do I know it’s thawed?
The legs move freely and there are no ice crystals inside the cavity.
Write the date on the calendar now. Your Thursday self will thank you.
