3 Ways to Safely Thaw a Frozen Turkey

There are three ways you can safely thaw a frozen turkey: slow, medium, and fast. Whether you're a plan-ahead cook or need a last-minute solution, take a look at the guidelines below for how to thaw a turkey, then choose the method and timeline that works best for you.

How to Thaw a Turkey

Here are three ways to thaw a frozen turkey:

How to Thaw a Turkey In the Refrigerator

How long it takes: Allow approximately 24 hours for every 5 pounds of turkey. A 15-pound bird will take about three days to thaw completely.

• Keep the turkey in its original wrapping while it's thawing.
• Place the turkey, breast-side up, into a baking pan to keep any drips from contaminating other foods and refrigerator surfaces.
• Once thawed, you can keep the turkey in the fridge for up to two days before cooking.

How to Thaw a Turkey In Cold Water

How long it takes: Allow approximately 30 minutes for every pound of turkey. A 15-pound bird will take about 7½ to 8 hours to thaw completely.

• Keep the turkey in its original wrapping. Place the wrapped turkey into a larger, leak-proof plastic bag. Squeeze out any extra air and seal the bag.
• Place the sealed bag, with the turkey breast facing down, into a sink or bucket large enough so the turkey will be completely submerged. Fill with cold water. You may need to cover the turkey with a plate and place some heavy cans on top of it to keep it totally submerged. Change the cold water every 30 minutes.
• Cook the turkey immediately after thawing.

It is also possible to use a combination of these two methods: Use the fridge for the first two days of thawing, then finish in the sink early Thanksgiving morning.

How to Thaw a Turkey In the Microwave

How long it takes: Read the user manual for your microwave oven to get instructions for thawing a frozen turkey. The times and power settings will vary from model to model. In general, it could take an hour or more on the defrost setting, depending on the size of the turkey.

• Take the turkey out of its wrapping and remove any metal clips or tags.
• Place the turkey, breast-side up, into a microwave-safe pan to catch any drips.
• After the turkey is thawed, wash the inside of your microwave to prevent cross-contamination.
• Cook the turkey immediately after thawing.

How Long to Thaw a Turkey

The times shown below are approximate and are based on thawing a whole frozen turkey.

• Thaw time in the fridge requires about 24 hours for every 5 pounds in a refrigerator set at about 40 degrees F (5 degrees C).
• Thaw time in cold water requires about 30 minutes per pound in cold water, refreshed every 30 minutes.

Turkey Weight	How Long to Thaw in the Fridge	How Long to Thaw in Cold Water
10 to 18 pounds	2 to 3½ days	5 to 9 hours
18 to 22 pounds	3½ to 4½ days	9 to 11 hours
22 to 24 pounds	4½ to 5 days	11 to 12 hours
24 to 29 pounds	5 to 6 days	12 to 15 hours

Note: We cannot over-emphasize food safety when it comes to thawing turkey. It's important to keep the whole turkey at a safe temperature throughout the thawing process to prevent bacterial growth that can lead to foodborne illness. That's why you never thaw a frozen turkey in hot water or at room temperature on your kitchen counter.

Check out our collection of Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes.

Related:

• Find out how to buy a turkey that's the right size for your feast.
• Get tips on how to cook a turkey, including how long it takes to cook a turkey.