Thanksgiving Day is quickly approaching, and while it’s an exciting time, hosting Thanksgiving dinner can be quite challenging. There are numerous considerations to take into account, from defrosting the turkey to ensuring you have enough food for your guests. In addition to the chaos of preparing a large meal, food safety should always be a top priority.
At Eat This, Not That!, our researchers have compiled a list of essential tips for safely thawing a frozen turkey. Thawing a turkey incorrectly can introduce harmful bacteria that could jeopardize everyone’s enjoyment of the holiday feast.
There are various methods to thaw a turkey, but most of them require starting the process a few days in advance. It is crucial to plan accordingly and begin thawing early.
How to Properly Thaw a Frozen Turkey for Thanksgiving
1. Thaw in the Fridge
Avoid thawing your turkey on the kitchen countertop, as it can become a breeding ground for bacteria. Instead, use the refrigerator.
Before placing the turkey directly in the refrigerator, ensure it is on a deep rimmed tray or a roasting pan lined with a wire rack to catch any potential leaks. Place the turkey breast side up, tightly wrap it with plastic wrap, and position the tray or pan on the lowest shelf of your fridge to minimize the risk of foodborne illness. The lowest shelf is ideal for items that require the highest cooking temperature, such as poultry.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, allow 24 hours of defrosting time for every 4 to 5 pounds of turkey. For instance, if you have a 12-pound turkey, plan to defrost it in the fridge for approximately three days. If your turkey weighs 16 pounds or more, make sure it’s in the fridge four to five days before Thanksgiving. In general, thawing your turkey the weekend prior to the holiday ensures it is fully defrosted by Thursday, giving you sufficient time to brine it with a wet brine or dry spice rub.
Thawing Times by Weight
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10-pound turkey: 2 days of thawing in the refrigerator
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12-pound turkey: 2 to 3 days of thawing in the refrigerator
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14-pound turkey: 2 to 3 days of thawing in the refrigerator
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16-pound turkey: 3 to 4 days of thawing in the refrigerator
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18-pound turkey: 3 to 4 days of thawing in the refrigerator
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20-pound turkey: 4 to 5 days of thawing in the refrigerator
2. Wrap the Turkey When Thawing in Cold Water
If you choose to thaw the turkey in cold water, seal it in a large, leak-proof plastic bag before submerging it. This prevents cross-contamination and ensures the turkey doesn’t absorb excess water during the thawing process. Fill a bowl or bucket with enough cold tap water to fully submerge the wrapped turkey, and change the water every 30 minutes to prevent bacterial growth.
Allow 30 minutes of thawing time per pound of turkey. For a 12-pound turkey, this translates to approximately six hours. Adjust the thawing time based on your turkey’s size.
If you’re uncertain about the thawing time for your Thanksgiving turkey, Butterball offers a thawing calculator on their website, which allows you to input the weight of your turkey and choose between the refrigerator or cold-water method.
Thawing Times by Weight
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10-pound turkey: 5 hours of thawing in cold water
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12-pound turkey: 6 hours of thawing in cold water
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14-pound turkey: 7 hours of thawing in cold water
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16-pound turkey: 8 hours of thawing in cold water
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18-pound turkey: 9 hours of thawing in cold water
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20-pound turkey: 10 hours of thawing in cold water
3. Consider Thawing the Turkey in the Microwave
Believe it or not, you can use the microwave to thaw a turkey, but caution is advised. Ensure that the turkey fits in the microwave with ample spinning space. If it does, remove the plastic wrap and place the turkey in a microwave-safe dish or baking dish. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for defrosting or use the rule of thumb of six minutes per pound. Due to uneven heating in microwaves, rotate and flip the meat during the thawing process.
Thawing Times by Weight
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10-pound turkey: 1 hour of thawing in the microwave
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12-pound turkey: 1 hour, 12 minutes of thawing in the microwave
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14-pound turkey: 1 hour, 24 minutes of thawing in the microwave
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16-pound turkey: 1 hour, 36 minutes of thawing in the microwave
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18-pound turkey: 1 hour, 48 minutes of thawing in the microwave
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20-pound turkey: 2 hours of thawing in the microwave
4. Always Confirm the Turkey is Thawed Completely
To ensure the turkey is fully defrosted, check for ice crystals in the hollow part and use a fork to test the thick sections. They should no longer feel hard or icy. If they do, the turkey needs more time to thaw.
5. Don’t Wait – Cook the Turkey Right Away
Once the turkey is thawed, it must be cooked immediately. According to the USDA, bacteria can begin to regrow once the bird is defrosted, which can lead to foodborne illnesses. If you have overestimated the thawing time and the turkey is ready a few days before Thanksgiving, you can store it in the refrigerator. However, don’t keep it in there for more than three to four days.
For more information, read the original article on TODAY.com.
