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 approaches one of the most important preparation steps is thawing the star of the show – the turkey! While you can cook a frozen turkey it takes much longer and may not turn out as moist and flavorful. Properly thawing your turkey ensures it cooks evenly and results in the juicy, tender meat we all crave. But how far in advance do you need to move that frozen bird to the fridge? Let’s break it down.
Why Thaw a Turkey in the Refrigerator?
Thawing your turkey in the refrigerator is the safest method recommended by the USDA. It protects the turkey from bacteria growth by keeping it consistently chilled at 40°F or below. Room temperature thawing can allow the turkey’s outer areas to enter the “danger zone” between 40-140°F, resulting in rapid bacteria multiplication.
The refrigerator method also leads to a tender, juicy bird. As the turkey gradually defrosts, the ice crystals melt, allowing the meat fibers to relax. Quick thawing techniques don’t give the fibers this time to loosen up before cooking.
How Long Does a 20 Pound Turkey Take to Thaw?
The general guideline is 24 hours of fridge time for every 4-5 pounds of turkey. So for a 20 pound turkey, allow 4-5 days in the refrigerator
Here is a handy chart with thawing times based on turkey size:
| Turkey Weight | How Long to Thaw in the Fridge |
|---|---|
| 10 to 18 pounds | 2 to 3 1⁄2 days |
| 18 to 22 pounds | 3 1⁄2 to 4 1⁄2 days |
| 22 to 24 pounds | 4 1⁄2 to 5 days |
| 24 to 29 pounds | 5 to 6 days |
As you can see, a 20 pound turkey will need 4 to 5 full days in the refrigerator. Make sure to check on it and drain any accumulated juices daily.
Tips for Thawing a Turkey
Here are some tips to safely thaw a 20 pound turkey in the fridge
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Keep the turkey in its original wrapping or place it in a leak-proof plastic bag. This prevents cross-contamination.
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Put the wrapped turkey on a tray or rimmed baking sheet to catch any juices that may leak.
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Place the turkey on a lower shelf to prevent raw juices from dripping onto other food.
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Allow roughly 24 hours per 4-5 pounds of turkey weight. For a 20 pounder, plan on 4-5 days thawing time.
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Check daily and drain any accumulated liquid so the turkey doesn’t sit in juices.
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Once thawed, cook within 1-2 days.
What If I’m Short on Time?
If you forgot to move your turkey to the fridge or need to thaw it faster for some reason, you have two other options:
Cold Water Method
This quicker thawing method entails submerging the wrapped turkey in a sink or tub of cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes. Allow 30 minutes per pound, so a 20 pound turkey will need about 10 hours submerged. The downside is that cook times may be extended since the meat doesn’t have time to properly relax.
Microwave Thawing
If you have a large enough microwave, you can defrost a turkey using the defrost setting based on the turkey’s weight. However, microwaving does not allow for even thawing and can start to partially cook the meat. You’ll need to cook the turkey immediately after microwaving.
No matter which method you use, proper thawing is key for a delicious Thanksgiving turkey! Allowing enough time for a 20 pound turkey to gradually defrost in the fridge results in tender, juicy meat cooks more evenly.
Bonus Tip: Consider Brining
For added flavor and moisture, consider brining your turkey after thawing and before roasting. A saltwater brine ensures a super juicy, seasoned turkey! Make sure you factor in the brining time, usually 12-24 hours, into your thawing timeline.
With some advance planning, you’ll give that 20 pound turkey the proper thawing it deserves. Just move it to the refrigerator 4-5 days before the big feast, draining juices daily. Then cook and carve it for a perfect, juicy Thanksgiving centerpiece.
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.
How long does it take to thaw a 20 pound turkey in the refrigerator?
FAQ
When should you start thawing a 20 pound turkey?
USDA says for any turkey, they recommend you start thawing in the fridge the Friday before Thanksgiving regardless of size. It will still be safe 2 days after being completely thawed out.
How long can a 20 lb turkey stay in the fridge?
If properly stored, raw turkey can last in the fridge for 1–2 days, while cold cuts last up to 5 days. How long does cooked turkey last in the fridge? If you have leftovers that include cooked turkey, you can expect those to last in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.
Is a 2 year old frozen turkey still good?
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Safety:According to the USDA, a properly frozen turkey can be safely eaten indefinitely, meaning even a 2-year-old frozen turkey is safe to consume.
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Quality decline:While safe, the quality of the turkey will decline over time, with potential issues like freezer burn and dryness after extended freezing periods.
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Best practice:For optimal taste and texture, it’s recommended to cook a turkey within a year of freezing.
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.
How long does it take to thaw a 16 pound turkey?
For a 16-pound turkey using the refrigerator method: How long does it take to thaw a 15 pound turkey out in the refrigerator? For a 15-pound turkey, the refrigerator thawing process requires approximately 3.75 days (rounded up to 4 days for safety). This calculation is based on the standard rate of 24 hours for every 4-5 pounds of turkey weight.
How long does a thawed Turkey take to cook?
Here’s our calculation: If a thawed bird requires 15 to 20 minutes per pound at 325 degrees F then a 20-pound thawed turkey would take about 5 to 6 1/2 hours, plus 50%, which means 2 1/2 to 3 hours more. That’s 7 1/2 to 9 1/2 hours to cook a completely frozen 20-pound turkey. Step three: Unwrap your turkey and place it on a rack in a roasting pan.
Can You defrost a Turkey in the fridge?
To defrost a turkey in the refrigerator, plan on 24 hours of fridge time for every 5 pounds of turkey. For instance, if you have a 20-pound turkey, make sure you have enough time for 4 full days of thawing in the fridge. Store it on the bottom of your fridge, fully wrapped, in a rimmed baking sheet or roasting pan.
Can a frozen turkey thaw?
As soon as a frozen turkey begins to thaw, bacteria that may have been present before freezing will begin to grow, and room temperature is the perfect environment for that icky stuff to multiply. So remember: Plan ahead so you can thaw your turkey in the refrigerator for 1 day per every 4 pounds.
How long can you keep a frozen turkey in the fridge?
You want to allow 1 day in the fridge for every 4 pounds of turkey, so refrigerate a 12-pound bird for 3 days, a 20-pound bird for 5 days, and so on. Check out our turkey defrosting time calculator below for more estimates: Here’s our no-mess method for thawing a frozen-solid turkey in the refrigerator:
How long can a thawed Turkey stay in the refrigerator?
A thawed turkey can remain in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days. If necessary, a turkey that has been properly thawed in the refrigerator may be refrozen. No related posts. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.