How to Thaw a Turkey / Turkey Thawing Time
How to Thaw a Thanksgiving Turkey
You’re planning to roast or fry a turkey for Thanksgiving or another event. First, you have to decide whether to get a fresh or a frozen turkey. If you’ve decided to buy a fresh turkey, then all you need to do is prepare and cook the bird. Fresh turkeys should be bought just before you are going to use them. Then, you need to know the turkey thawing time, so you know when to remove it from the freezer. Armed with the knowledge of how long to thaw a turkey, you are ready to begin your Thanksgiving preparations.
For the vast majority of us, we go to our local grocery store and buy a frozen turkey. It can be purchased days, weeks, or even months in advance. If you are not going to immediately thaw and cook it, place it in the freezer immediately when you get home.
As Thanksgiving approaches, it’s time to take it out of the freezer and safely thaw it out. There are a few basic ways to thaw a turkey. And, there’s definitely a wrong way to do it. There’s actually a third way to thaw a turkey…. in the microwave. However, most turkeys do not fit inside of a microwave.
First, let’s talk about the wrong way. Never thaw a turkey by leaving it on the counter. At room temperature, bacterial growth is maximized. Thawing from the outside in, bacteria multiplies on the warm, outer surface. This can make you and everyone who eats it very sick.
Did You Know? You can refreeze a partially thawed turkey as long as ice crystals are still in the cavity. Note: refreezing the turkey can affect flavor, texture, and juiciness.
To safely thaw a turkey, it can be thawed either in the refrigerator or in cold water.
Turkey Thawing Time in the Refrigerator
Thawing a turkey in the refrigerator is easy. And, it’s the safest way to thaw a turkey. But,it takes time. Keep the turkey in its original wrapping. Place a pan under it, to capture any leaks or moisture from condensation. Allow enough time for the turkey to thaw out in the refrigerator using the chart below.
Turkey Weight: | Thawing Time: |
8 to 10 pounds | 1 – 2 days |
12 to 16 pounds | 2 to 3 days |
16 to 20 pounds | 3 to 4 days |
20 to 24 pounds | 4 to 5 days |
Your turkey is properly thawed, when there are still a few ice crystals in the inside cavity.
Turkey Thawing Time in Cold Water
Thawing a turkey in cold water can be done fairly quickly. But, it takes more effort. The day before you are going to cook the bird, take it out of the freezer and check for tears in the plastic wrapper. If you find a tear, put the bird in another plastic bag. Then, put it in the sink and fill it with water. The water should completely cover the turkey. He National Turkey Federation recommends changing the water every 30 minutes. Thawing times are listed in the chart below.
Turkey Weight: | Thawing Time: |
8 to 10 pounds | 4 to 6 hours |
12 to 16 pounds | 6 to 9 hours |
16 to 20 pounds | 9 to 11 hours |
20 to 24 pounds | 11 to 12 hours |
Making a Turkey from Thawing to Leftovers
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