Before you know it, Thanksgiving Day will be here as well, and the day requires a lot of preparation. Remember how, not so long ago, you were lounging in the sunshine in shorts and shades, and now it’s fall?
The turkey, the centerpiece of the dinner table, requires the most preparation. Having a fantastic feast requires that the bird be properly thawed. If you selected a frozen turkey, you are already considering how and how long to thaw it. We conducted all the research and calculations for you because we know you have no time to waste, so you can thaw your poultry quickly and securely.
There are two common ways to thaw your bird, as any seasoned holiday host can tell you. First is the refrigerator method. This involves transferring your turkey from the freezer to the refrigerator and letting it thaw (slowly) at 40°F or lower. The USDA advises allowing 24 hours for defrosting for every four pounds of turkey. This method is typically regarded as the safest choice to prevent bacterial growth, which can occur when meat is left at room temperature for an extended period of time. Heres the official breakdown:
Make sure the turkey is placed in a sizable pan or on a cookie sheet to prevent melting turkey juices from spilling all over your refrigerator. Your turkey can thaw in the refrigerator for one or two days before cooking. This content is imported from poll. On their website, you might find the exact same information in a different format or more details.
However, if your refrigerator is overflowing with pies, Jell-O shots, sides, and cranberry sauce, you might want to try cold water thawing. Even though this method is quicker than letting your bird sit in the fridge for days, it still requires some additional work.
First, make sure your turkey’s plastic wrap is completely intact and free of any rips or holes. Next, add cold tap water to a large bucket (or your sink). Finally, immerse that sucker in the water while it is still completely wrapped, and let it sit for 30 minutes while changing the water. The USDA recommends allowing 30 minutes of soak time for each pound of turkey. The official breakdown:
When a turkey is thawed using the cold water method, it must be cooked right away. But the sooner the better, right? Were already hungry.
Don’t worry if you realize Thanksgiving morning that you neglected to thaw your bird. A few techniques can still be used to ensure that there will be a turkey on the table. A turkey can also be cooked while still frozen and defrosted in the microwave, according to the USDA.
Alyssa is a senior editor for content strategy at House Beautiful, where she writes about news, trends in home design, and home decor. She considers herself to be an expert on sleep and a pop culture junkie.
The Associate SEO Editor at Delish, Allison Arnold, writes about everything from the top kitchen appliances to food and culture. She grew up eating tacos and schnitzel, constantly has several seltzer cans open, and has way too much knowledge of beer. This content is imported from poll. On their website, you might find the exact same information in a different format or more details.
How do you thaw a turkey in cold water?
One of the quickest methods for defrosting a turkey is using cold water. You can thaw the turkey in a day, depending on its size, but keep in mind that it needs constant care. If you have taken the packaging off the frozen turkey, put it in an extra-large resealable plastic bag and seal it. The turkey must be in its original packaging. Using a heavy pie plate or baking dish, keep the packaged frozen turkey submerged in a sink or container of very cold water. Every 30 minutes, the water must be changed, and it must be extremely cold to keep the bird at a safe temperature. This procedure will take roughly eight hours and 16 changes of water for a 15 to 16 pound bird. Remember that this requires much more time than reheating a cooked turkey for leftovers.
How Long to Thaw a Turkey in the Refrigerator
A word about brining: You can begin brining your turkey while it’s still partially frozen, whether you plan to do so in a brine solution or with a dry-brine.
How Long to Thaw a Turkey in Cold Water
FAQ
How long does it take an 8 lb turkey breast to defrost in the refrigerator?
Thaw in refrigerator (not at room temperature). Refrigerate unopened roast on a tray for 1 12 to 2 days, or until thawed. Place an unopened roast in cold tap water for 3 to 5 hours to thaw it more quickly.
How do you defrost a 7lb turkey breast?
Your frozen turkey should be completely submerged in cold water, breast side down, in its original, unopened packaging. To keep the turkey chilled, replace the water every 30 minutes and rotate the bird every 30 minutes if it cannot be completely covered. Estimate a minimum thawing time of 30 minutes per lb.
How long does it take to thaw a 7 pound frozen turkey?
According to weight, these are some approximate thawing times: 4 to 12 pounds — 1 to 3 days 12 to 16 pounds — 3 to 4 days. 16 to 20 pounds — 4 to 5 days.
How long can I leave a frozen turkey breast in the refrigerator?
Place it on a tray to catch any juices that may leak while it’s thawing in the fridge. The refrigerator can hold a thawed turkey for one to two days. A turkey that has been properly defrosted in the fridge can be refrozen if necessary.