While frozen, a turkey is safe indefinitely. As soon as it begins to thaw, bacteria that may have been present before freezing will begin to grow again. There are three safe ways to defrost a turkey: in the refrigerator, in cold water, and in a microwave oven.
As Thanksgiving approaches, many home cooks find themselves wondering if they can leave their frozen turkey out on the counter overnight to thaw This is an extremely common question, and I completely understand the appeal of letting the turkey defrost passively overnight instead of having to actively manage the thawing process However, the food safety experts are unanimous that leaving your frozen turkey out on the counter overnight is not a good idea. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll explain why and offer safe alternative thawing methods.
Why You Shouldn’t Leave a Frozen Turkey Out Overnight
Leaving a frozen turkey out overnight puts it at risk of spending too much time in the “danger zone” between 40-140°F In this temperature range, bacteria on the turkey can multiply rapidly You cannot see, smell, or taste dangerous bacteria building up. The only sign of a problem would come when people get sick from eating poorly handled turkey. Both the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and turkey experts like Butterball say thawed turkeys should never sit out longer than 2 hours before cooking. A frozen turkey left overnight will almost certainly exceed the 2 hour limit, so it’s not a risk worth taking.
Safe Ways to Thaw a Turkey
Luckily, there are a couple great options for safely thawing your turkey in time for the big meal. With some advance planning, you can thaw in the refrigerator or use the cold water method.
Refrigerator Thawing
Thawing in the refrigerator is simple. Just leave your turkey, still in its wrapper, on a tray or rimmed baking sheet and place it breast side up on a shelf. Allow about 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds of turkey to thaw. A 20 pound turkey will need a full 5 days in the fridge. Once thawed, cook within 1-2 days.
Cold Water Thawing
If you’re short on time, submerging the wrapped turkey in a sink or tub of cold water is faster. Allow 30 minutes per pound, changing the water every 30 minutes to keep it cold. Once thawed, cook the turkey immediately. Make sure your turkey stays immersed in the cold water during the entire thawing process.
Both refrigerator and cold water thawing keep the turkey at safe temperatures as it defrosts. Planning ahead and allowing enough time are key to avoiding any temptation to leave the turkey out overnight.
Tips for Proper Thawing
No matter which method you use, follow these tips for safe, effective turkey thawing:
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Start thawing in time – allow several days for fridge thawing or allocate adequate cold water thaw time based on the turkey’s weight.
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Keep the turkey in its original wrapper until ready to cook so it doesn’t contact contaminants.
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Use a container to catch any juices leaking during fridge or cold water thawing to prevent cross-contamination.
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Keep the turkey separate from other foods while thawing in the fridge to avoid spread of bacteria.
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Cook within 1-2 days of refrigerator thawing or immediately when using the cold water method. Do not refreeze a thawed turkey.
Emergency Thawing Options
Despite your best intentions, what if you forget to thaw the turkey in time? You still have some emergency options to save Thanksgiving dinner:
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Use the microwave’s defrost setting if available, following the product instructions. Cook immediately.
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Place still-wrapped turkey in cold water, allowing extra thawing time since it’s starting frozen. Change water every 30 mins.
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Cook the turkey straight from frozen, which takes about 50% longer. Use an oven-safe thermometer to determine doneness.
While not ideal, these last-minute solutions can rescue your holiday turkey in a pinch! Just be sure to follow basic food safety protocols.
The Takeaway
How NOT to Thaw a Turkey
In case you are wondering, here are some thawing methods that are not recommended:
- thawing a turkey on the counter, in the garage or on the back porch
- thawing a turkey in a brown paper grocery bag or plastic garbage bag
- using the dishwasher to thaw a turkey (with or without water)
- any method that is not the refrigerator, cold water, or the microwave
3 Ways to Thaw a Turkey
The USDA recommends thawing your turkey in the refrigerator. This is the safest method because the turkey will thaw at a consistent, safe temperature. This method takes some time, so allow one day for each 4 – 5 pounds of weight. If your turkey weighs 16 pounds, it will take about four days to thaw. Once thawed, the turkey is safe for another two days, so you can start thawing it six days before thanksgiving (the Friday before Thanksgiving).
The other two methods (cold water and microwave) must be done immediately before you start cooking the turkey, so you’ll have to wait until Thanksgiving morning.
For the cold water method, leave the turkey in its original wrapping and submerge it in a sink (or container) full of cold water. It is important that the water be cold so that the turkey stays at a safe temperature. You should change the water every 30 minutes. Empty out the water and replace it with fresh cold water. With this method, allow 30 minutes of defrosting time per pound, so a 16 pound turkey will take 8 hours to thaw using this method (so you might need to start around 4 a.m. if you want to eat in the afternoon!). Once the turkey has thawed, cook it immediately
Before you commit to thawing your turkey in the microwave, check your owner’s manual for the size turkey that will fit in your microwave oven, the minutes per pound and the power level to use when thawing a turkey. Remove all outside wrapping and place the turkey on a microwave-safe dish to catch any juices that may leak. Use the defrost function based on weight. As a general rule, allow 6 minutes per pound when thawing a turkey in the microwave. Be sure to rotate it several times, and even flip it, during the thawing process.
If the turkey starts to actually cook instead of just defrost, let it rest for 5 minutes or so before you resume thawing. Partway through thawing you may wish to cover the tips of the wings and drumsticks with a small piece of foil to shield them from the microwaves and keep them from cooking. Once the turkey has thawed you should cook it immediately.
Can you leave a turkey out to thaw overnight?
FAQ
Is a frozen turkey still good if left out overnight?
No, frozen meat should not be left out at room temperature overnight. When meat is left out, it can enter the “danger zone” (between 40°F and 140°F or 4°C to 60°C), where bacteria can multiply rapidly.
Can I leave a frozen turkey out overnight on the counter?
“Don’t leave your turkey out overnight to thaw, and don’t leave it on the counter for hours,” Shumaker says. “Thawing the bird at room temperature means the outside of the turkey will get much warmer than the inside of the turkey, which allows microbes to reproduce rapidly.
Is it safe to thaw a turkey in the sink overnight?
It is perfectly fine. I always let the turkey sit in the sink overnight a few days before Thanksgiving, so that it can thaw.
What if turkey is not thawed the night before?
“Actually, from a food safety standpoint it’s safer to cook the turkey when it’s still frozen. A frozen turkey will not spread raw juices around the kitchen, will not waste water as you try to thaw it and will produce an excellent and juicy cooked product.”
Can you leave a frozen turkey out overnight?
While it may seem convenient, leaving a frozen turkey out on the kitchen counter overnight is not recommended. Here’s why Bacteria growth: Between 40°F and 140°F is considered the “danger zone” for bacterial growth. A frozen turkey left out overnight will likely reach these unsafe temperatures.
What happens if you leave a Turkey out overnight?
Leaving a turkey out overnight can create an environment conducive to bacteria growth. When the turkey is thawing at room temperature, the outer layer can reach temperatures that allow bacteria to thrive, while the inner portions remain frozen. This uneven thawing can lead to food safety hazards.
Can you eat a turkey if left out overnight?
The answer is **no**, it is not safe to eat a turkey that has been left out at room temperature for more than two hours. Leaving the turkey out overnight allows bacteria to grow rapidly, posing a risk of foodborne illness. Here’s what you need to know about leaving your turkey out overnight to thaw and answers to some frequently asked questions: 1.
Should you leave a Turkey out to thaw overnight?
To emphasize: Never leave your turkey out to thaw overnight. It is unsafe and increases the risk of foodborne illness. To ensure your turkey thaws safely and effectively, consider the following methods recommended by health and safety authorities:
Can you eat a frozen turkey thawed on the counter?
A frozen turkey left out overnight will likely reach these unsafe temperatures. Can’t monitor temperature: When thawing on the counter, you can’t monitor the temperature or ensure it stays out of the danger zone. So while nothing bad may seem to happen, the unseen bacterial growth makes eating a turkey thawed on the counter an unsafe risk.
Can you eat a turkey if left out at room temperature?
No, it is not safe to eat a turkey that has been left out at room temperature for more than two hours. Bacteria can multiply quickly at room temperature, increasing the risk of food poisoning. 2. How long does it take to thaw a turkey in the refrigerator? Thawing a turkey in the refrigerator is the safest method.