In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleHow to Thaw a TurkeyHow to Tell If It’s ThawedTroubleshooting a Frozen TurkeyBiggest Turkey-Thawing MistakeStoring a Thawed Turkey
In This ArticleView All
View All
In This Article
How to Thaw a Turkey
How to Tell If It’s Thawed
Troubleshooting a Frozen Turkey
Biggest Turkey-Thawing Mistake
Storing a Thawed Turkey
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Photo:Getty Images. EatingWell design.
Getty Images. EatingWell design.
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The Only Two Ways to Thaw a Frozen Turkey
Draper states that the two safest methods arerefrigerator thawingand thecold-water method.
Refrigerator Thawing
For refrigerator thawing, Butterball recommends leaving the turkey in its original packaging, placing it breast-side up on a tray and letting it hang out in the fridge for 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds of turkey. So if you have a 12-pound bird, that means at least three full days in the fridge.
Cold-Water Method (Fastest)
On the other hand, the cold-water method involves submerging the packaged turkey in cold water and changing the water every 30 minutes. This method is much quicker and thaws the turkey at a rate of about 30 minutes per pound. The cold-water method is the way to go if you’re short on time. Draper recommends placing the turkey in a sink of cold water (or you can use a clean cooler or bathtub in a pinch). Whichever vessel holds your bird, “you willneedto change the water every 30 minutes,” Draper notes. This is not something to take lightly. Keeping the water temperature low ensures that the turkey doesn’t get into the danger zone of foodborne illness.
What Are the Signs a Turkey Is Fully Thawed?
There are physical and temperature-related signs, and you should check both to ensure that your turkey is fully thawed. When it comes to the physical signs, Draper says, “When you open the turkey package, the legs and wings should move freely.” She adds, “When you remove the neck and giblets, they should come out easily, and there should not be any ice crystals in the body cavity.” If your physical signs look good, check your turkey’s temperature with an instant-read thermometer. “The thermometer should register a temperature between 35ºF and 40ºF when the turkey is thawed,” explains Draper. If your signs are clear, you’re good to go. If the turkey still isn’t ready, pop it back into the fridge to finish thawing.
What If My Turkey Is Only Partially Thawed?
Of course, life doesn’t always go as planned and, sometimes, that turkey just doesn’t want to thaw in time. Rest assured, if you find yourself with a partially frozen bird on your hands, there are still ways to salvage the situation. If you don’t have time to put it back into the fridge, Draper notes that youcanstillcook it. However, she insists you must use ameat thermometerto make sure you cook it to the done temperatures. “If the turkey registers 165ºF in the thigh, the turkey is food-safe,” she says. It likely won’t be the juiciest, tastiest bird, but it’ll work in a pinch. “For best eating quality,” she adds, “Butterball recommends cooking until the thigh reaches 180°F” and the breast reaches 170ºF. In an under-thawed bird, this might mean the breast gets overcooked. But sometimes, the best solution is the only one available.
If you’ve completely forgotten to thaw your turkey—life happens!—Draper says that you can cook a frozen turkey ”in a pinch.” She notes that it will take about 50% longer than a thawed bird. For example, she says, “A 12-pound turkey, frozen, would cook [for] four-and-a-half to five hours.” If thawed, that same 12-pound turkey (unstuffed) would typically take three to three-and-a-half hours at 325ºF. When in doubt, check out Butterball’scooking calculator.
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What’s the Biggest Mistake Home Cooks Make When Thawing?
“Home cooks often shortchange the time it takes to thaw a turkey,” warns Draper. Some turkeys can take up to a week to fully thaw. Going back to the two steadfast methods, she advises following the golden rule of 30 minutes of thawing time per pound of turkey for cold-water thawing, and allowing one full day per 4 pounds of turkey for refrigerator thawing. So you need to know how heavy your turkey is. Then, you need to decide which method you want to work with and allow yourself adequate time.This guidealso helps you navigate some other big turkey mistakes.
How and Where to Store a Thawed Turkey
The fridge is prime real estate during the holidays. But unfortunately, to stay safe, a thawed turkey should remain in the refrigerator. Draper recommends keeping it breast-side up on a tray and in the original packaging. “Once it is thawed, you should plan to cook it within four days,” she adds.
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The Bottom Line
Turkey thawing can feel like an absolute minefield, but having Draper and Butterball’s expert advice is a game-changer. You can feel much more confident going into the holiday season, knowing you’ve got the safest thawing methods in your back pocket: refrigerator thawing and the cold-water method. If you’re in a hurry, the cold-water method is the fastest way to thaw your turkey. Fingers crossed that your Thanksgiving will be much more relaxed and enjoyable if you canplan aheadand follow Butterball’s tips.
So if you find yourself with a frozen turkey on your hands, don’t panic! Just keep this story bookmarked so you can easily channel your inner Butterball pro. Otherwise, the same simple rules apply: give yourself plenty of time and use those safe thawing methods. Before you know it, you’ll have a perfectly cooked,juicy birdready to be the star of your Thanksgiving feast. Happy (stress-free) holidays!
Frequently Asked Questions
No, that is not a food-safe method.
When using a refrigerator placed in a basement, garage, or other uninsulated environment, it may have difficulty keeping the thermostat on the refrigerator running its cooling and defrost cycles for the appropriate amount of time. Due to this, the refrigerator may run colder than a refrigerator in the kitchen and it may take extra time to fully thaw your turkey. You can use the cold-water method to finish thawing your turkey.
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