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 and Christmas approach, many home cooks start preparing their turkeys for the big feast A common question that comes up is whether a frozen turkey weighs more than a thawed one The answer may seem counterintuitive, but yes, frozen turkeys can weigh slightly more than thawed ones. In this article, we’ll look at why this weight difference occurs and how to handle it when cooking your holiday bird.
Why Frozen Turkeys Are Heavier
The main reason frozen turkeys weigh more is because of the frozen water inside the bird. Turkey is made up largely of water. When raw turkey meat is frozen, the moisture transforms from liquid to solid ice crystals. These ice crystals add a bit of extra mass and weight to the turkey.
On average, freezing can make a turkey weigh 1-2% more than if it was never frozen For a 20 lb turkey, that could mean the frozen weight is up to 04 lbs heavier. The amount of extra weight depends on a few factors
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Turkey size – Larger turkeys contain more moisture so freezing adds more weight.
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Freezing method – Fast freezing processes minimize water loss from the turkey
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Packaging – Well-wrapped or vacuum packed turkeys retain more moisture when frozen.
So while not a huge difference, frozen turkeys are measurably heavier than fresh ones due to the frozen water weight.
Thawing Causes Moisture Loss
Once thawed, those ice crystals melt back into liquid form. This liquid water is then lost as the turkey defrosts. As the turkey thaws, fluids are released and the bird loses moisture content.
Most of the liquid lost during thawing is water. But it also contains proteins, juices, and other compounds from inside the turkey. This moisture loss means a thawed turkey will weigh less than when it was frozen.
For example, a 20 lb frozen turkey may end up weighing around 19.5 lbs after complete thawing. The larger the turkey, the more moisture that can be lost during the defrosting process.
Tips for Weighing Turkeys
To accurately compare weights of frozen and thawed turkeys, keep these tips in mind:
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Weigh frozen turkeys in their original wrapping for the most precise frozen weight.
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Allow turkeys to fully thaw before weighing to get the true thawed weight.
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Pat thawed turkeys dry before weighing to account for surface moisture.
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Weigh turkeys soon after bringing frozen ones home to limit partial thawing.
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Calculate exact thaw loss by weighing turkeys before and after defrosting.
Cooking Time Impact
The small weight difference between frozen and thawed turkeys does impact cooking times. A frozen turkey requires a longer cooking time than an identical thawed one since it must thaw while cooking.
For example, a thawed 20 lb turkey may need about 4 hours in the oven while a frozen 20 lb turkey could require up to 6 hours to fully cook. Use a meat thermometer to monitor doneness instead of cook time alone.
Recipes may also need adjusted for weight changes. Measuring stuffing ingredients for a 20 lb frozen bird could result in excess for a 19.5 lb thawed version. Reduce measured ingredients or plan for leftovers.
Handling Thaw Drippings
That tasty fluid released when thawing should not go to waste! Use turkey thaw drippings to:
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Make gravy – Simmer with aromatics and thickeners for rich flavor.
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Add to stuffing – For extra moisture and turkey taste.
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Saute vegetables – Cook greens, potatoes etc. in the drippings.
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Make soup stocks – Simmer with veggies and herbs.
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Moisten casseroles and dressings.
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Freeze for later use in recipes.
With proper handling, you can harness those drippings for delicious flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Beyond the basic frozen vs. thawed weights, other turkey weight questions come up:
Does stuffing add weight?
Yes, stuffed turkeys can weigh a few pounds more than unstuffed due to the breads, veggies, and broth inside.
Do heritage breeds weigh more?
Not necessarily. Weight varies more based on diet, age, and farm conditions than breed alone.
Do toms weigh more than hens?
Usually. Toms average 20-24 lbs while hens range from 8-16 lbs typically.
Does a brined turkey weigh more?
A brined turkey can gain a few extra ounces from absorbed saltwater brine.
Does packaging affect weight?
Minimal if any. Poorly wrapped birds may lose a bit more moisture and weight when frozen.
Can you refreeze a thawed turkey?
No. Cook thawed turkeys right away rather than refreezing.
Does freezing affect nutrition?
No. Frozen, thawed, and fresh turkey all have the same nutrition.
The Bottom Line
So while frozen turkeys weigh slightly more than fresh, it’s simply due to frozen moisture content. Handled properly, you can defrost and cook a turkey to perfection regardless of its original frozen state. With the right techniques, you’ll enjoy a juicy, flavorful holiday bird whether it’s thawed or frozen when baking.
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.