How long does a frozen turkey take to thaw?
Longer than most people expect. The safe methods, the timings and the one thing never to do.
A frozen turkey needs to thaw slowly and stay cold while it does. The USDA recommends two methods for a whole bird.
In the refrigerator
Allow about 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds in a fridge at 40 °F (4 °C) or colder. A 16 lb turkey needs three to four days, so start early. Once thawed, it keeps for another one to two days in the fridge.
In cold water
Allow about 30 minutes per pound. Keep the turkey in a leak-proof wrapper, fully under cold tap water, and change the water every 30 minutes. Cook it as soon as it has thawed.
| Turkey | Refrigerator | Cold water |
|---|---|---|
| 4–12 lb | 1–3 days | 2–6 hours |
| 12–16 lb | 3–4 days | 6–8 hours |
| 16–20 lb | 4–5 days | 8–10 hours |
| 20–24 lb | 5–6 days | 10–12 hours |
Never on the counter
At room temperature the outside warms into the danger zone while the middle is still frozen. If you run out of time, you can roast a turkey from frozen; it is safe but takes at least 50% longer. Either way, it is done when a thermometer reads 165 °F (74 °C) in the thickest part of the breast and the innermost thigh and wing.
Source: USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, “Let’s Talk Turkey”.
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