A truth that not many people know is that you won’t be able to cook a turkey properly if you don’t thaw it the right way. There are many ways to thaw a turkey, but there is only one way to be sure it’s ready for Thanksgiving or any other day! Read on for the temperature tips you need to plan your thawing and make sure you do it safely.
As Thanksgiving and Christmas approach, you may find yourself needing to thaw a frozen turkey for your holiday meal. While thawing a turkey in the refrigerator is ideal, it can take several days for a large frozen bird to thaw completely. If you’ve forgotten to move your turkey to the fridge early enough, you may be wondering if you can speed up the process by thawing it in a cooler.
The short answer is yes, you can thaw a turkey in a cooler as long as you take the proper precautions Thawing a turkey in cold water is much faster than thawing it in the refrigerator. A cooler provides a contained environment where you can submerge the wrapped turkey to thaw it quickly and safely
Here is a complete guide with tips on how to properly thaw a turkey in a cooler
Choose an Appropriate Cooler
The first step is choosing a large enough cooler to accommodate the turkey. Look for a cooler that will allow the turkey to be completely submerged in cold water while thawed. Hard plastic coolers are best, as soft-sided coolers may bend and touch the turkey when filled with water.
For a 10 to 18 pound turkey, a 48-quart cooler is sufficient. Larger turkeys around 20 pounds may require a 70-quart extra large cooler. Be sure to have a cooler that is big enough so the turkey has space on all sides while thawing.
Use Cold Water
The key to safely thawing a turkey in a cooler is using cold water. You want the water to be cold enough to thaw the turkey without allowing bacteria to grow. The USDA recommends keeping the water at 40°F or below during the thawing process.
Start by filling the clean cooler with cold tap water. Allow the tap water to run for several minutes first so that the water is as cold as possible. You can also create an ice bath by filling the cooler halfway with ice before topping with cold water.
Monitor and Change the Water
As the frozen turkey begins to thaw, the water temperature will rise. You need to monitor the water temperature and change it to keep it cold. Check the water temp every 30 minutes with a food thermometer. When the temperature rises above 40°F, drain the water and refill with fresh, cold water.
Changing the water regularly prevents bacteria growth and also speeds up thawing by replacing the warming water with cold. The cooler environment slows the warming process compared to thawing at room temperature.
Keep Turkey Submerged
Keep the turkey completely submerged under the cold water as it thaws. Use a plate or other weight to keep the turkey at the bottom of the cooler below the water line. If any parts of the turkey rise above the water, they could warm up and reach the danger zone for bacteria.
Thaw Timeline
The exact time needed to thaw a turkey in a cooler depends on the size. Here are general timelines:
- 10 to 12 pound turkey: 2 to 3 hours
- 12 to 16 pound turkey: 3 to 4 hours
- 16 to 20 pound turkey: 4 to 6 hours
- 20+ pound turkey: 6 to 8 hours
Check the turkey periodically to see if the inner cavity feels cold and thawed. When thawed, the turkey will be soft and pliable all over.
Food Safety Tips
Proper food safety is crucial when thawing a turkey:
- Keep raw turkey separate from other foods and surfaces to prevent cross-contamination.
- Wash hands thoroughly after handling raw turkey.
- Use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw turkey.
- Discard used thaw water safely down a drain. Do not reuse.
- Cook the thawed turkey right away or store it in the fridge 1-2 days. Do not refreeze a thawed turkey.
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these steps for successfully thawing a turkey in a cooler:
-
Choose a cooler large enough to submerge the wrapped turkey in water. Hard plastic coolers work best.
-
Remove turkey from packaging. Place in leak-proof bag or plastic wrap to keep water out.
-
Fill cooler halfway with ice. Add enough cold tap water to fill cooler and fully cover turkey.
-
Place plate or weight on turkey to keep it fully submerged in water below the 40°F line.
-
Check water temp every 30 minutes. Drain and refresh water as needed to keep below 40°F.
-
Allow turkey to thaw completely, changing water regularly. Time needed depends on turkey size.
-
Once thawed, remove turkey from cooler. Cook immediately or store for 1-2 days max at 40°F.
Thawing a turkey in a cooler can be done in a pinch when you’ve run out of time with refrigerator thawing. Follow safe handling tips and keep the water ice cold for the fastest, safest results. With some monitoring and water changes, you can safely thaw your holiday turkey using this cooler method.
Verifying A Proper Thaw for Your Turkey
To make sure your turkey is properly thawed, take its temperature. Stick the tip of your Thermapen right through the wrapper and deep into the breast in several places. Look for a temperature no lower than 30°F (-1. 1°C) and no higher than 40°F (4. 4°C).
As you move the probe tip through the turkey meat, keep an eye on the screen. The lowest reading is the most important for the thaw.
➤If you find a temperature lower than 30°F (-1.1°C), keep thawing!
Fastest Way to Thaw a Turkey: a Cold Water Bath
Of course, if you don’t get your turkey in time, you can use the speed method.
To move heat from one thing to another, water is better than air because its molecules are denser. There is a way to thaw turkey faster than in the fridge. It takes at least 30 minutes per pound. (A 20-pound [9. 1 kg] turkey takes as little as 10 hours to thaw like this. ).
Can you thaw a frozen turkey in a cooler?
FAQ
How long does it take to thaw a frozen turkey in a cooler?
How can you thaw a frozen turkey quickly?
Can I thaw turkey in a cool garage?
How long does it take to thaw a 13 lb turkey in the fridge?
|
Turkey Size
|
Thaw In Refrigerator (set to 40 F or below)
|
Thaw In Cold Water (change water every 30 min.)
|
|
4 to 12 lbs.
|
1 to 3 days
|
2 to 6 hours
|
|
12 to 16 lbs.
|
3 to 4 days
|
6 to 8 hours
|
|
16 to 20 lbs.
|
4 to 5 days
|
8 to 10 hours
|
|
20 to 24 lbs.
|
5 to 6 days
|
10 to 12 hours
|
Can You Thaw a Turkey in a cooler?
No, you should not use a cooler that has been used for other food items to thaw a turkey. This is because the cooler may be contaminated with bacteria, which could be transferred to the turkey. * Can I thaw a turkey in a cooler that is not insulated? No, you should not thaw a turkey in a cooler that is not insulated.
How long does it take to thaw a 10 pound turkey?
Note: It should take approximately 30 minutes per pound to completely thaw. So, for a 10-pound turkey, you’re looking at about 5 hours of thawing time. Yup, you actually can safely cook a fully frozen turkey, says the USDA. But there’s a catch: Cooking time will take at least 50 percent longer.
How do you defrost a Turkey?
Here are some quick defrosting tips that Carothers recommends if you’re in a pinch: Submerge your turkey in cold water and change it every 30 minutes. This option prevents bacteria from multiplying since you never let it enter that danger zone, Carothers says.