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.
How Long Can You Leave a Turkey in Water to Thaw? A Complete Guide
Thawing a frozen turkey is one of the first steps to preparing a delicious holiday meal, but it requires careful planning and monitoring to do it safely. I’ll explain how the cold water method works, recommended timelines, and tips for properly thawing a whole turkey or just breast pieces.
Why Proper Thawing Matters
Turkeys must be kept at a safe 40°F temperature or below during defrosting. While frozen, a turkey is safe indefinitely since bacteria can’t grow below 0°F. However, as soon as it begins to thaw and reaches temperatures above 40°F, any bacteria present before freezing can begin multiplying rapidly again.
According to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, thawing on the counter at room temperature for more than 2 hours is unsafe. And although the center of the turkey may still be partly frozen, the outer layer can be in the danger zone above 40°F where bacteria flourish.
Instead stick to these three safe thawing methods recommended by the USDA
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Refrigerator The slowest method but with the most leeway Allow 24 hours per 4-5 lbs
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Cold water: Faster thawing but requires vigilance. Change water every 30 minutes.
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Microwave: Defrosts rapidly but cook immediately after.
Never thaw turkey at room temperature or in hot water. Now let’s look closer at the cold water technique and how long you can safely leave that bird soaking
Cold Water Thawing Guidelines and Time Limits
The benefits of thawing in cold water are speed and even defrosting. The challenges are regulating temperature and preventing bacterial growth. Here are the USDA recommendations:
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Keep turkey sealed in its original leak-proof packaging. Submerge in cold tap water, either in a sink, container, or cooler.
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Allow 30 minutes defrosting time per pound of turkey weight. So a 16 lb turkey will need about 8 hours to thaw completely.
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Change water every 30 minutes with fresh cold water. This regulates temperature below 40°F.
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Rotate or stir the turkey every 30 minutes to expose all areas to the chilled water.
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Cook turkey immediately after thawing is complete to prevent bacterial overgrowth. Do not refreeze.
The key is monitoring time and temperature closely, changing water every half hour. While tempting to let a big bird soak overnight, uncontrolled warm temperatures could enter the danger zone.
Follow the 30-minute rule, and your turkey will be ready to cook in the shortest safe timeframe.
Tips for Cold Water Turkey Thawing
Here are some tips to help the cold water thawing process go smoothly and safely:
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Submerge turkey breast side down to thaw the densest, thickest part first.
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Use a container large enough to completely cover the turkey with water.
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Add ice to the water as needed to maintain a cold temperature below 40°F.
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Turn on a slow stream of cold water to regulate the temperature.
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Follow any specific times on the turkey package, but generally stick to 30 minutes per pound.
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A thawed turkey can be stored for 1-2 days in the refrigerator before cooking.
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Never use hot water to thaw, which can start cooking the turkey.
Thawing Turkey Breasts
To thaw just turkey breasts, the guidelines are the same: 30 minutes per pound in cold water, changing water every 30 minutes. Cook right after thawing.
Since boneless breasts are thinner than a whole turkey, monitor closely and calculate a slightly shorter thawing time. But food safety rules still apply – no warm water or room temperature thawing.
Thawing Smaller Turkeys and Pieces
For smaller birds or turkey parts:
- 8 to 12 lb turkey (about chicken-size): 4 hours
- 4 to 8 lb turkey: 2 hours
- Breast fillets: 1 hour per lb
- Ground turkey: 1-2 hours
The less dense and thinner the turkey, the faster it will thaw. Stick to the 30-minute rule for safety.
Make Turkey Thawing Easy and Safe
With some planning and attention, you can thaw turkey safely in cold water and ready it for the perfect holiday meal. Just be sure to fully submerge it, change water every 30 minutes, and cook it immediately after thawing.
Never leave turkey to thaw at room temperature or refreeze after thawing in water. Follow food safety guidelines and your feathered friend will thaw nicely for a delicious Thanksgiving, Christmas or anytime meal.
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 you leave a frozen turkey in water overnight to thaw?
Can you thaw a turkey in cold water overnight? No, it’s not safe to thaw turkey in water overnight. The water will drain from the sink or won’t be cold enough. Do this during the day when you are present to monitor and refill the water. You must keep the water cold to avoid bacteria growth.
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.
Why do I need to change the water every 30 minutes when thawing a turkey?
Submerge the wrapped turkey in the water and change the water every 30 minutes, which ensures that the bird stays at a safe temperature and wards off any contaminating bacteria. Allow 30 minutes of thawing time for each pound of turkey, which translates to about six hours for a 12-pound turkey.
Can I thaw a turkey in cold water and then put it back in the fridge?
Answer: Yes. The USDA and the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) say that you can safely refreeze a turkey that has been thawed in the refrigerator, as long as it is still cold (40°F or below). If you have thawed your turkey by submerging it in cold water, you must cook it immediately.
How long does a 16 lb Turkey take to thaw?
Here are the USDA recommended guidelines: Keep the turkey in its original wrap. Submerge in cold tap water in a large container or sink. Allow 30 minutes defrosting time per pound of turkey. So a 16 lb turkey would take about 8 hours to thaw. Change the water every 30 minutes. Drain water and refill with fresh cold water.
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.
How do you Thaw a frozen turkey?
Keep your turkey in its original packaging for this method, too. To finish a partially defrosted bird, 30 minutes in cold water may be all you need. If fully frozen, allow about 30 minutes per pound to completely thaw, and change the water every 30 minutes to ensure the water stays cool (below 40 degrees F).
Is thawing a Turkey in water safe?
There are three safe ways to thaw food: in the refrigerator, in cold water, and in the microwave oven. Thawing your frozen turkey is one of the first steps when preparing your bird for a delicious holiday meal. While there are a few safe thawing methods, is thawing a turkey in water one of them?
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.
Why does my Turkey thaw if it is not fully submerged?
If the turkey is not completely submerged, the outside of the turkey may thaw while the inside of the turkey remains frozen. This can increase the risk of bacteria growth. * It is also important to change the water every 30 minutes when thawing a turkey in a water bath.