Learn how to defrost a turkey safely with our essential cookery advice. Try our top tips, different defrosting methods and safety guidance.
If you’re opting for a frozen turkey to celebrate Christmas or Thanksgiving this year, defrosting it properly and safely is very important. We examine the different ways to defrost a whole turkey in time for your festive dinner.Ad
A frozen turkey is a good-value option and means you can opt for a higher welfare bird for less money. It also means you can get ahead and buy your turkey sooner to spread the cost. But, it’s also a massive block of frozen meat that can be a bit daunting to deal with. There are several options when it comes to defrosting a whole turkey depending on your time, space and the size of the bird.
Thawing a frozen turkey can be a daunting task especially when you need it thawed in time for a big holiday meal. Many home cooks turn to the microwave as a quick thawing method, but is it safe? The short answer is yes you can thaw a turkey in the microwave if you follow some important guidelines.
How Does Microwaving Thaw a Turkey?
A microwave works by producing microwave energy that causes water molecules in food to vibrate rapidly, creating heat This heat energy thaws the turkey from the outside in The inside of the turkey thaws more slowly than the outer areas.
Thawing in a microwave is much faster than thawing in the refrigerator A 12 pound turkey takes about 3 days to thaw in the fridge but only 1-2 hours in the microwave However, microwaving does have some downsides to consider
- The outer areas of the turkey may start to cook during microwaving. This can lead to uneven cooking later.
- Microwaving may not thaw the innermost areas, leaving icy spots that affect even cooking.
- Juices can leak and splatter in the microwave, creating a messy clean-up.
Tips for Microwaving a Turkey
Follow these tips to safely thaw a turkey in the microwave:
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Remove packaging: Unwrap the turkey completely and place it breast-side up on a microwave-safe dish. The dish should be large enough to catch any juices or splatter.
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Cook immediately: Cook the turkey immediately after microwaving. Do not refreeze or refrigerate after microwaving.
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Allow standing time: Let the turkey stand for 20-30 minutes after microwaving to allow heat to continue conducting inward and thaw any icy spots.
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Check for doneness: Use a food thermometer to check that the thickest parts of the breast, thigh, and wing reach 165°F when cooking.
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Reduce power level: Use a lower power level like 50% to thaw the turkey more gently. High power can start cooking the outside.
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Rotate frequently: Rotate and flip the turkey several times during thawing to ensure even thawing.
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Watch closely: Monitor the turkey closely as it thaws. Pause to allow resting if the outer areas start to cook.
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Shield as needed: Cover wing and leg tips with small pieces of foil if they start to cook.
Microwaving Times for Whole Turkeys
Microwaving times can vary based on the wattage of your microwave but here are general guidelines from the USDA:
- 4-12 pounds: Allow 6 minutes per pound
- 12-16 pounds: Allow 10 minutes per pound
- 16-20 pounds: Allow 12 minutes per pound
- 20-24 pounds: Allow 15 minutes per pound
So for a 12 pound turkey, microwave for about 12 minutes per pound, or 1 hour and 20 minutes total. Rotate frequently and let stand for 30 minutes before cooking.
Microwaving Times for Turkey Parts
You can also thaw just part of a turkey in the microwave. Here are suggested times:
- Turkey breast: Allow 6 minutes per pound
- Turkey legs or thighs: Allow 8-10 minutes per pound
- Turkey wings, drumsticks, or giblets: Allow 4-5 minutes per pound
A 6 pound turkey breast would take about 36 minutes in the microwave. Again, allow standing time and check for doneness when cooking.
Is Microwaving or Cold Water Faster?
Cold water thawing is faster than the microwave for larger birds. Allow 30 minutes per pound in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes. A 20 pound turkey will thaw in 10 hours in cold water but could take over 3 hours in the microwave.
So for smaller birds and turkey parts, the microwave is faster. But a large 20+ pound turkey may thaw more quickly with the cold water method.
Can You Thaw a Turkey in the Fridge Then Microwave?
You can thaw in the fridge for a few days, then finish thawing in the microwave. Remove the turkey from fridge when still slightly icy, then microwave, rotating frequently until just fully thawed. Cook immediately and do not refreeze.
Food Safety Tips When Thawing In the Microwave
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Scrub the microwave plate and walls before and after thawing turkey to prevent bacterial spread.
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Never thaw turkey at room temperature or in hot water. Stick to the fridge, cold water, or microwave methods only.
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Cook within 1-2 days of thawing in the fridge. Cook immediately if thawing in water or microwave.
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Do not refreeze turkey after it has been thawed. Freeze any uneaten cooked turkey within 2 hours.
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Wash hands, utensils, dishes, and prep surfaces often when handling raw turkey to avoid cross-contamination.
The Best Method for Thawing a Turkey
The refrigerator method is ideal as it keeps the turkey at a safe 40°F temperature throughout thawing. But when time is short, you can successfully thaw a turkey in the microwave with some care. Follow the tips above for even thawing results and food safety.
Be sure to check the internal temperature with a food thermometer when cooking a thawed turkey. Resting it after roasting allows the juices to redistribute thoroughly. Letting the turkey properly thaw ensures it cooks evenly for a delicious holiday feast.
How to defrost a turkey in cold water
Pros: quick.Cons: cumbersome and potentially unhygienic if packaging isnt sealed.
How to do it Submerge the turkey in its packaging in a large sink, bucket or container full of cold water. Feel the temperature of the water occasionally – if doesn’t feel cold, replace with fresh cold water. Problems could arise if the packaging isn’t totally sealed or torn, as the water and everything it touches will become contaminated with raw turkey juices.
How long does it take? Done safely, this method should take about 1 hr for every 1kg of turkey.
How to defrost a turkey in the fridge
Pros: its the safest and easiest way to defrost a turkey.Cons: its also the longest way to defrost a turkey and takes up lots of fridge space.
How to do it This is as easy as taking the frozen turkey in its packaging, sitting it in a large roasting tin or dish and putting it in the fridge to defrost slowly. If you can set the temperature of your fridge, set it to 4C. This is the safest method, as the turkey will stay at a constant low temperature.
How long does it take? The size of your turkey will affect how long it takes to defrost completely, but, as a rough guide, allow about 24hrs for every 2kg of turkey. Most of our turkey recipes call for a 5-6kg turkey, which will take about three full days to defrost in the fridge.
Can you safely thaw turkey breast in the microwave?
FAQ
Is it safe to defrost a turkey in the microwave?
Yes, you can defrost a turkey in the microwave, but there are some important considerations to keep in mind: Size Limitations: Ensure your microwave is large enough to accommodate the turkey. If it’s too large, you may need to defrost it in smaller portions.
How do you defrost a turkey quickly?
In cold water
If you forgot to thaw the turkey, don’t panic. A faster thawing method is to submerge the frozen bird in cold water. You need to change the water every 30 minutes to be safe. While this method is faster, it still takes about 30 minutes per pound for complete thawing.
What if turkey is still a little frozen?
Cook it from the frozen state (NOTE: don’t use an oven bag). A frozen turkey will take at least 50% longer to cook than a thawed turkey. It may be tough to get the giblets out, but you can pull out the packet with tongs once the turkey has been baking for 20 to 30 minutes.
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.
Can You defrost a Turkey in the microwave?
The short answer is yes, you can defrost a turkey in the microwave, but there are some important guidelines to follow for food safety. Microwaving a turkey can significantly reduce thawing time compared to leaving it in the refrigerator.
How long does it take a 15 pound turkey to thaw?
In the microwave, the general rule is 6 minutes per pound. Therefore, a 15 pound turkey can take about 1 hour and 30 minutes to completely thaw in the microwave. Ensure to flip and rotate the bird after every 6 duration to speed up defrosting process by balancing out the warming.
How do you Thaw a frozen turkey?
Here are 3 methods and the defrost time equation you can apply to find the thawing time for your frozen turkey: Cold water: 30 min per pound. Refrigerator: 1 day for every 4 pounds of turkey. turkey thawing time = weight in pounds x 1/4 of a day. Microwave: 6 minutes per pound. turkey thawing time = weight in pounds x 6 minutes.
Can You Thaw a turkey breast in a microwave oven?
Once thawed, you can still roast the intact breast like a miniature turkey. The legs, wings and backbone can be thawed separately in the refrigerator then used for leftovers, soup stock or snacking. Microwave ovens vary in power, so thawing times can’t be generalized.
Can You Thaw a Turkey before Thanksgiving?
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.
How do you defrost a Turkey?
There are three safe ways to defrost a turkey: in the refrigerator, in cold water, and in a microwave oven. 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.