A holiday spread isn’t complete without the star of the show: the turkey. It doesn’t matter how many other dishes you make. There are a lot of different ways to cook a turkey, whether you want to grill, fry, or roast it like everyone else. The only problem with making this holiday classic is that it takes a lot of time and planning. What is the best way to thaw a turkey? How long does it stay fresh in the fridge after being thawed? Then there are questions about cooking, like how to get the turkey ready to roast and how to get the skin crispy.
Some of the most important ones are how to thaw turkey and how long it can stay in the fridge after being thawed. Your cooking plan should take into account how long your bird needs to defrost so that it can go into the oven on time, but not so early that it stays in the fridge for too long. To plan your post-Thanksgiving leftover binge, you should also know how long cooked turkey can stay in the fridge.
To help you plan your timing, we got turkey tips from Butterballs and nutritionist Toby Amidor. Now you know how to handle your frozen, thawed, cooked, and leftover meat this year.
If you plan to serve turkey for a holiday meal or gathering, chances are you’ll need to thaw it first. Turkeys purchased frozen typically require several days of thawing before they are ready to cook. But how soon after thawing should you cook the turkey? Can you let it sit in the fridge for a few days after thawing before roasting?
Knowing the food safety timelines for thawed turkey helps ensure you serve a delicious safe meal. Follow these guidelines on precisely when to cook a turkey after thawing.
Overview of Thawing Methods
There are three main ways to safely thaw a frozen turkey:
- In the refrigerator
- In cold water
- In the microwave
Each thawing method impacts the timeline for how soon the turkey must be cooked after thawing.
Thawing in the Refrigerator
Thawing turkey in the refrigerator is the slowest but safest method. Allow 24 hours of thawing time per 4-5 lbs of turkey. A 12 lb turkey would require 3-4 days in the fridge.
Once thawed in the fridge, the USDA recommends cooking within 1-2 days. The cold temperature keeps bacteria growth to a minimum allowing for a bit more thawing time.
Thawing in Cold Water
For quicker thawing than the fridge method, you can submerge the turkey sealed in a leakproof bag in cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes and allow 30 minutes thawing time per lb of turkey.
Because thawing happens more rapidly, you should cook the turkey immediately after thawing completes with this method.
Thawing in the Microwave
Microwave thawing is the fastest method, allowing 5 minutes per lb of turkey. But you should cook the turkey immediately after thawing in the microwave and not let it sit before cooking.
Food Safety Timelines After Thawing
So when should you cook a turkey after thawing it? Here are the food safety guidelines:
- Refrigerator thawing: Cook within 1-2 days
- Cold water thawing: Cook immediately
- Microwave thawing: Cook immediately
The faster thawing methods lead to a higher risk of bacterial growth, so the turkey should go straight from thaw to the oven. Refrigerator thawed turkey has a bit more leeway thanks to the cooler temps.
Don’t Let Turkey Sit Too Long After Thawing
It’s risky to let a thawed turkey linger in the fridge for over 2 days before cooking. Bacteria like salmonella can start multiplying rapidly on the moist surface of the thawed bird. Stick to the recommended 1-2 day timeframe after fridge thawing.
And never leave a thawed turkey sitting out at room temperature. Poultry must remain chilled at 40°F or below until ready to cook.
Cook Thoroughly for Safety
Always rely on a food thermometer when cooking turkey. Check the temperature in the innermost part of the thigh and breast to ensure the turkey reaches the safe minimum of 165°F throughout.
Bringing the entire turkey to 165°F is the only way to kill any dangerous bacteria that may be present. Let the bird rest at least 20 minutes before carving for juicier meat.
Turkey Thawing and Food Safety Tips
Follow these tips for safely thawing and cooking turkey:
- Thaw only in the fridge, cold water, or microwave. Do not thaw at room temperature.
- Cook fridge-thawed turkey within 1-2 days.
- Cook immediately after thawing in cold water or microwave.
- Never leave thawed turkey at room temperature over 2 hours.
- Use a food thermometer to verify 165°F minimum temp.
Thawing and cooking turkey properly ensures you serve a delicious, juicy, and safe holiday bird. Stick to the recommended timelines for peak flavor and food safety.
Experts Featured in This Article
For several days before you plan to cook the turkey, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) says to let it defrost in the fridge at 40°F or below. Amidor says that it takes about one day for every four pounds of turkey to thaw. This means that a 12-pound turkey will take three days to thaw, while a 20- to 24-pound turkey can take up to six days. (Butterball has a handy calculator that can tell you exactly how long youll need to thaw your bird.
Amidor says that the turkey can stay in the fridge for two more days after it has been thawed before it needs to be cooked. Let’s say you want to cook a 20- to 24-pound bird. You should put it in the fridge to thaw at least six days before you want to eat it so it has time to fully thaw, but no more than eight days before you want to eat it so you stay within that two-day window. You should put a 12-pound turkey in the fridge for at least three days and no more than five.
Put the turkey on a rimmed sheet tray or roasting pan when you’re ready to thaw it. This will keep any juices from making a mess in the fridge. It needs to defrost in the coldest part of your fridge. Even better, keep it in a spare fridge that you don’t open very often. “You can refreeze the turkey without cooking it if you thaw it in the fridge and decide not to cook it,” Amidor says. “But there will be some loss of quality.”
How long after defrosting turkey should it be cooked?
FAQ
How soon do you have to cook a turkey after thawing?
Is it safe to thaw a turkey in the fridge for a week?
How long can ground turkey stay in the fridge after thawing?
What happens if turkey is thawed too early?
How long can a thawed Turkey stay in the fridge?
A completely thawed turkey can remain in the refrigerator for one or two days before cooking. To thaw in cold water, submerge the bird in its original wrapper in cold tap water, changing the water every 30 minutes. Cook the turkey immediately after thawing.
Should Turkey be thawed before cooking?
The turkey should be completely thawed before cooking. * Thaw turkey in cold water. This method is faster than thawing in the refrigerator, but it is not as safe. To thaw a turkey in cold water, place it in a large sink or container filled with cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes to ensure that the turkey stays cold.
How long does it take to thaw a Turkey?
The water should cover the turkey by at least 1 inch. Change the water every 30 minutes to keep it cold. Allow 5-6 hours of thawing time for every 4 pounds of turkey. For example, a 12-pound turkey will take 20-24 hours to thaw.
How long do you keep a thawed Turkey in a wrapper?
Keep turkey in original wrapper and place on tray. Use turkey within four days after thawing. Thaw turkey breast side down, in an unopened wrapper, with enough cold water to cover your turkey completely. Change water every 30 minutes and if turkey cannot be completely covered, rotate every 30 minutes to keep the turkey chilled.
Should I defrost my Thanksgiving turkey?
Plan ahead. Unlike a whole chicken, Thanksgiving turkey is generally sold frozen solid. It basically comes as a giant block of ice, and it takes much longer to thaw than a smaller roast. So our best advice when it comes to defrosting your bird is to plan ahead — way ahead of the big meal.
What is the Turkey defrost time calculator?
The turkey defrost time calculator helps compute the precise time needed to safely thaw a frozen turkey based on its weight and the chosen defrosting method.