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 are faced with the task of thawing a frozen turkey It’s a common question – can I leave a turkey out on the counter overnight to thaw? While this was a traditional method used by previous generations, food safety experts now advise against it Leaving a turkey to thaw on the counter puts the bird at risk of bacterial growth.
So what’s the best and safest way to thaw a turkey? Should you leave it on the counter put it in the fridge or thaw it in cold water? Here’s what you need to know about the dos and don’ts of thawing a frozen turkey
Why You Shouldn’t Leave a Turkey Out to Thaw Overnight
In the past, letting a frozen turkey thaw slowly on the kitchen counter overnight was a common practice. However, we now know this isn’t the safest method. Here’s why you shouldn’t thaw your turkey on the counter:
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Bacterial growth – Room temperature provides ideal conditions for bacteria like salmonella to multiply quickly. The “danger zone” for bacterial growth is between 40°F and 140°F. Thawing on the counter puts the turkey right in this unsafe temperature range.
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Uneven thawing – A thawed exterior and frozen center creates the perfect environment for bacterial growth. The outside of the turkey thaws first, letting bacteria grow rapidly on the outer areas while the inside remains frozen.
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Long thaw time – A large turkey can take over 24 hours to thaw on the counter. The longer the thaw time, the greater the risk of bacterial overgrowth.
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Can’t be left uncooked – Once thawed at room temp, the turkey must be cooked immediately and can’t be refrozen. This doesn’t allow flexibility if your schedule changes.
The USDA and food safety experts all agree – do not leave your turkey out on the counter to thaw overnight this Thanksgiving. It simply isn’t worth the risk.
The Safest Ways to Thaw a Turkey
To avoid bacteria and have a safely thawed bird ready for roasting, use one of these recommended thawing methods:
1. Thaw in the Refrigerator
Thawing in the fridge is hands down the safest way to go. While it takes time and planning, it keeps the turkey chilled at a safe temperature under 40°F.
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Leave turkey in original wrapper and place on tray or pan to catch any drips. Thaw breast side up.
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Allow 24 hours of fridge thawing time per 4-5 lbs of turkey.
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A 16 lb turkey thaws in about 4 days. A 20 lb turkey takes 5 days or more.
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Cook fully thawed turkey within 1-2 days.
2. Thaw in Cold Water
Submerging the wrapped turkey in cold water thaws it faster than the fridge method.
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Place turkey in leakproof bag. Submerge in cold water, changing water every 30 mins.
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Allow 30 minutes thaw time per lb of turkey. A 16 lb turkey takes 8 hrs.
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Cook immediately after thawing is complete. Do not refreeze.
The fridge method takes longer but allows flexibility. Cold water thawing is faster but you must cook the turkey immediately. Both keep the turkey chilled at safe temps under 40°F.
Thawing Tips and Food Safety Reminders
Follow these turkey thawing tips for the safest results:
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Never thaw turkey at room temperature or in hot water. This encourages rapid bacterial growth.
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Place thawed turkey directly in the oven or fridge. Do not let it sit out after thawing.
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Use thawed turkey within 1-2 days. Do not refreeze a thawed turkey unless it was thawed in the fridge and still feels ice cold.
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Wash hands, utensils and anything else touching raw turkey to avoid cross contamination.
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Use a food thermometer to ensure turkey reaches 165°F at thickest part before removing from oven.
Thawing turkey thoroughly and safely takes some planning. But a few days of waiting is a small price to pay for delicious Thanksgiving dinner that is free from worries over foodborne illness. This year, skip the overnight counter thaw and use a recommended refrigerator or cold water method. Doing it the right way ensures your Thanksgiving turkey is perfectly thawed and ready to roast.
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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.
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
Can you leave a turkey out to thaw overnight?
FAQ
Can I leave a frozen turkey out overnight to thaw?
It is not safe to leave frozen meat out at room temperature to thaw overnight. When meat is left out, it can enter the “danger zone” (between 40°F and 140°F) where bacteria can multiply rapidly, increasing the risk of foodborne illness.
Is turkey left out overnight safe to eat?
… turkey out to thaw throughout the night before Thanksgiving, food safety experts discourage the technique as it can encourage the growth of dangerous microbes
What happens if you don’t thaw turkey in the fridge?
“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 I leave my turkey in the garage overnight?
grainlady_ks You need to store it in a refrigerator with the temperature between 35-40°F. You wouldn’t want to trust the fluctuating temperature of an unheated garage or a cooler because both can get warmer than 40°F (the danger zone for food is 40°F to 140°F. The suggested storage time for a raw turkey is 4-days.
Can Turkey thaw overnight?
Keep the platter inside the refrigerator for thawing. If the turkey is just 2 pounds, it can thaw overnight. You require a plate or container to catch the fluids released from the turkey while thawing. If there are any herbs and seasonings added to the turkey, thawing time might be longer.
How do you Thaw a frozen turkey?
Proper thawing is crucial for turkey safety. You need to thaw using either the refrigerator method or the cold water method. Never thaw turkey on the counter, as the outer layers will enter the danger zone while the inner portion remains frozen. Here are guidelines for each thawing method: Refrigerator Thawing: Cold Water Thawing:
How long can you leave frozen turkey thawing on the counter?
A package of frozen meat or poultry left thawing on the counter more than 2 hours is not at a safe temperature. Even though the center of the package may still be frozen, the outer layer of the food is in the “Danger Zone” between 40 and 140 °F — at a temperature where foodborne bacteria multiply rapidly. How long to leave turkey out of the fridge?
Can you leave a frozen turkey out overnight?
Leaving a frozen turkey out on the counter overnight seems like an easy shortcut, but the safety risks are simply too high. With proper planning, you can thaw frozen turkey gradually in the fridge or via cold water method over a 1-4 day period leading up to the big feast. Never let a frozen turkey sit out for over 2 hours.
Is thawing a Turkey safe?
Poultry starts developing bacteria once the thawing process begins. Hence, thawing in a fridge is a safe option because turkeys defrost at a safe and uniform temperature. This prevents the growth of any bacteria on it, making it hygienic for cooking! Another plausible method for thawing turkeys is by placing them in a pot of cold water.
What happens if a frozen turkey thaws?
Even if the inner turkey remains frozen, the outer layer thaws and becomes prone to rapid bacteria growth after just 2 hours above 40°F. Common foodborne pathogens like salmonella can multiply to dangerous levels on the turkey’s surface as it slowly thaws overnight.