While frozen, a turkey is safe indefinitely. As soon as it starts to melt, bacteria that were there before it frozen will start to grow again. Some safe ways to defrost a turkey are in the fridge, under cold water, or in the microwave.
Defrosting a frozen turkey can be a daunting task, especially if you’ve left it to the last minute before Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner! Many people struggle with knowing the safest and most efficient way to thaw their bird. While some opt for defrosting their turkey in the refrigerator this can take several days and require advance planning. If you’ve found yourself without a properly defrosted turkey, don’t panic! Defrosting in a sink of cold water is a fast and easy way to get your turkey ready for roasting.
Why Defrost in The Sink?
Defrosting in the sink works so well for a few key reasons
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Speed – The cold water allows the turkey to thaw relatively quickly. A typical 12-15 lb turkey will thaw in 4-6 hours in a cold water bath. Much faster than letting it sit for days in the fridge!
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Safety – As long as the turkey remains completely submerged in cold water during the defrosting, it will stay at a safe, low temperature throughout the process. The cold water prevents bacteria growth.
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Convenience – Most kitchen sinks provide enough space to easily fit a whole turkey inside a water-filled bag or container. No need to clear out fridge space.
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Effectiveness – The water is able to circulate around the entire surface of the turkey evenly, leading to a fast, uniform thaw.
Step-By-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps for successfully thawing a frozen turkey in the sink:
What You’ll Need
- Frozen turkey
- Large plastic bag or container (big enough to submerge turkey)
- Kitchen sink
- Cold water
- Dish towel
- Meat thermometer
1. Remove Turkey from Packaging
Keep the turkey in its original plastic wrap packaging. Place the wrapped turkey inside a large, leak-proof plastic bag. This could be a heavy-duty garbage bag, zip close bag, or plastic container with a lid. This ensures no water leaks out into the sink as the turkey thaws.
2. Submerge Turkey in Sink
Fill your clean kitchen sink with enough cold water to completely cover the turkey. Lower the turkey into the water, making sure it is fully submerged. Keep the turkey breast side down so the thicker breast part thaws evenly with the legs and thighs.
3. Change Water Regularly
It is important to change the water every 30 minutes. Drain the sink and refill with fresh cold water. This keeps the water temperature cool and prevents bacteria growth. You may need to top up with some additional cold water as the turkey thaws to keep it submerged.
4. Turn Turkey Occasionally
Every hour or so, turn or flip the turkey bag so a different side is facing down into the water. This helps promote even thawing around the whole bird.
5. Check Internal Temperature
Start checking the internal temperature of the turkey in the thickest part of the breast after about 3 hours. Use a meat thermometer to test the temperature. When the innermost part of the breast reads 40°F or below, the turkey is thawed and ready for roasting.
6. Remove and Dry Turkey
Once thawed, remove the turkey from the bag and water. Pat the turkey dry with paper towels. Make sure to remove any giblets from the inner cavity. The turkey is now ready for seasoning and roasting!
Turkey Thawing Times
Here are some estimates for how long thawing in the sink could take for different turkey sizes:
- 8 – 12 lb turkey: 2 – 3 hours
- 12 – 15 lb turkey: 3 – 5 hours
- 15 – 18 lb turkey: 5 – 6 hours
- 18 – 20 lb turkey: 6 – 8 hours
These times can vary based on how cold your water is and how often you change it out. Check the breast temperature regularly to monitor doneness.
Thawing Tips and Tricks
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Start thawing your turkey early in the morning to give yourself plenty of time. Don’t leave it until the afternoon before Thanksgiving dinner!
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Use ice to help keep sink water extra cold if needed. This will make the thawing process even faster.
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Place something heavy like a plate on top of the turkey to keep it fully submerged.
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If you don’t have a bag or container big enough, try thawing in a bathtub instead.
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Never thaw turkey at room temperature or in hot water. This can lead to bacterial growth. Cold water thawing is safest.
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Cook your turkey immediately after thawing. Do not refreeze or let sit for extended periods once thawed.
Thawing FAQs
Can you get sick from thawing a turkey in the sink?
As long as the USDA food safety guidelines are followed, thawing in the sink poses no increased risk of illness compared to other methods. Containing the wrapped turkey in a leak-proof bag prevents any bacteria spread. The cold temperature also inhibits bacteria growth. Just take care to keep the turkey completely submerged at all times.
How can you speed up sink thawing?
Using ice water instead of regular cold tap water can decrease thawing time. Frequently draining the water and refilling with fresh, cold water also helps. Turning the turkey often to circulate the water speeds up the process as well.
What is the food safety danger zone for meat?
Perishable foods like turkey should never be left at room temperature for more than 2 hours. This is considered the “danger zone” between 40°F – 140°F when bacteria can rapidly multiply. Cold sink water keeps the turkey safely below 40°F.
Can I let the turkey drain after removing from the sink?
You should pat the turkey dry immediately and remove it from the sink after thawing is complete. Do not let it drain or sit out above 40°F. Cook it right away to prevent bacterial growth in standing water.
Is it better to thaw a turkey in the fridge or sink?
The sink method is faster, so better for turkeys thawed last minute. Fridge thawing is slower but requires less monitoring. Both are food safe when done properly. Choose what fits your schedule and turkey size!
Ready for a Stress-Free Defrost?
Thawing your turkey in the sink can help make holiday prep smoother and less stressful when done correctly. With some cold water, a large bag, and a bit of monitoring, you can safely get your frozen bird ready for the oven in just a few hours. Next time your holiday dinner depends on a thawed turkey, don’t take chances – let the sink help you out! Just follow the tips above for a fool-proof defrost.
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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. The turkey is safe for two more days after it has been thawed, so you can begin the process six days before Thanksgiving (the Friday before).
If you want to use cold water or the microwave, you have to do it right before you start cooking the turkey, so you’ll have to wait until Thanksgiving morning.
For the cold water method, put the turkey in a sink or other container full of cold water while it is still wrapped. 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. For this method, you should give each pound 30 minutes of defrosting time. This means that a 16-pound turkey will need 8 hours to thaw, so you might need to start around 4 a.m. m. if you want to eat in the afternoon!). Once the turkey has thawed, cook it immediately.
Before you do anything else, check your owner’s manual to see what size turkey will fit in your microwave, how long it will take to thaw per pound, and what power level you should use. Take off all the tape and put the turkey on a dish that can go in the microwave 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.
Let the turkey rest for about 5 minutes before you start to thaw it again if it starts to cook instead of just defrost. During the thawing process, you might want to put a small piece of foil over the tips of the wings and drumsticks to keep them from cooking in the microwaves. 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:
- A turkey can be thawed on the counter, in the garage, or on the back porch.
- Putting a frozen turkey in a brown paper or plastic trash bag to thaw
- putting a turkey in the dishwasher to thaw (with or without water)
- Any way that isn’t the fridge, cold water, or the microwave