Be sure to thaw your frozen turkey in the wrapper it came in, unopened. Place it breast-side up on a tray in the refrigerator. Here’s a chart you can use to determine thaw times.
| Turkey size |
Thawing time
(in the refrigerator) |
| 8-12 lb. |
2-3 days |
| 12-14 lb. |
3-3½ days |
| 14-18 lb. |
3½-4½ days |
| 18-20 lb. |
4½-5 days |
Once thawed, your turkey will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. Bearing that in mind, err on the side of thawing a day or two too soon so you don’t have to do a last-minute thaw. Also, if you plan to brine your turkey you need to plan a day for that.
If you do procrastinate, you can thaw your turkey in cold water. Place the still-wrapped turkey in a container large enough to allow it to be covered with water. Fill the container with cold water and change the water every 30 minutes. This method will thaw a turkey at the rate of about 1 pound every 30 minutes. An 18-pound turkey will take 9 hours. That’s why it’s best to plan ahead!
NEVER thaw a turkey out on the counter or in warm water - you could create the perfect environment for bacteria and end up with a family trip to the emergency room instead of a family weekend of fun.
