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Planning a Thanksgiving meal involves a lot of work, but before you lose your mind and start stressing, let us clarify how long it will take to thaw a frozen turkey. Between rolling out pie dough and preparing all the side dishes, the last thing you want to forget to do is thaw the turkey! The answer all depends on the size of your turkey and how you plan to thaw it. We’ve outlined a few different thawing techniques ahead, such as thawing a turkey in the refrigerator, in cold water, or even in the microwave, if you’re not sure where to start.
A little preparation goes a long way, whether this is your first year hosting the family feast or you are an experienced host. Prior to Thanksgiving, you should purchase your bird from your local supermarket’s freezer section or by mail order. Don’t forget to include the thawing process in your cooking schedule. Just follow the formula below!.
Tip: Before you begin, keep the packaging for your turkey intact. Youll need to know the weight to calculate its thaw time. Then, once the turkey is thawed, youll need to brine it and cook it. Land on your preferred turkey recipes early so you have all the ingredients in place.
Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and of course, delicious food. The centerpiece of many Thanksgiving meals is the turkey, and if you’re planning on serving one, you’ll need to make sure it’s properly thawed before cooking. But how long does it take to thaw a 20lb turkey in a refrigerator?
The answer is: 4 days
That’s right, you’ll need to plan ahead if you want to thaw a 20lb turkey in the refrigerator. The general rule of thumb is that it takes 24 hours for every 5 pounds of turkey to thaw completely. So, for a 20lb turkey, you’ll need to allow for 4 full days of thawing in the refrigerator.
Why is it important to thaw a turkey in the refrigerator?
Thawing a turkey in the refrigerator is the safest and most efficient method. It allows the turkey to thaw slowly and evenly, which helps to ensure that it cooks evenly and safely. Additionally, thawing in the refrigerator helps to prevent the growth of bacteria.
How to thaw a turkey in the refrigerator:
- Remove the turkey from its packaging.
- Place the turkey on a rimmed baking sheet or roasting pan. This will catch any juices that may leak from the turkey as it thaws.
- Place the turkey in the refrigerator. Make sure that the turkey is on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator, so that any juices that leak out won’t contaminate other food.
- Allow the turkey to thaw for 24 hours for every 5 pounds of turkey. So, for a 20lb turkey, you’ll need to allow for 4 full days of thawing.
- Once the turkey is thawed, it can be cooked immediately.
Tips for thawing a turkey in the refrigerator:
- Give yourself plenty of time. It’s always better to err on the side of caution and allow for more thawing time than you think you’ll need.
- Place the turkey on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. This will help to prevent cross-contamination.
- Don’t thaw the turkey at room temperature. This can allow bacteria to grow.
- Don’t thaw the turkey in the microwave. This can cook the turkey unevenly and make it dry.
What if I don’t have time to thaw the turkey in the refrigerator?
If you’re short on time, you can thaw a turkey in cold water. However, this method is not as safe as thawing in the refrigerator, and it’s important to follow the instructions carefully.
To thaw a turkey in cold water:
- Remove the turkey from its packaging.
- Place the turkey in a large pot or bucket. Make sure that the turkey is completely submerged in cold water.
- Change the water every 30 minutes. This will help to keep the water cold and prevent bacteria from growing.
- Allow the turkey to thaw for 30 minutes for every pound of turkey. So, for a 20lb turkey, you’ll need to allow for 10 hours of thawing.
- Once the turkey is thawed, it can be cooked immediately.
Tips for thawing a turkey in cold water:
- Use cold water, not warm or hot water. Warm or hot water can allow bacteria to grow.
- Change the water every 30 minutes. This will help to keep the water cold.
- Don’t thaw the turkey at room temperature. This can allow bacteria to grow.
- Don’t thaw the turkey in the microwave. This can cook the turkey unevenly and make it dry.
No matter which method you choose, make sure to thaw your turkey safely and thoroughly before cooking. This will help to ensure that you and your guests have a delicious and safe Thanksgiving meal.
How do you thaw a turkey in the refrigerator?
The easiest, safest way to thaw a turkey is in the refrigerator—but this method will also take a few days for the average-size bird. According to the USDA, the formula for defrosting a turkey in the fridge is as follows: Allow for at least 24 hours for every four to five pounds. (FYI: This is specific to refrigerators at temperatures 40 degrees and below.) So, heres how it breaks down:
- 8 pounds: 2 days to defrost
- 12 pounds: 3 days to defrost
- 16 pounds: 4 days to defrost
- 20 pounds: 5 days to defrost
If you choose to use this method, put the turkey, still in its packaging, in a roasting pan or on a baking sheet with a rim to prevent juices from leaking while it thaws.
How do you thaw a turkey in cold water?
If youre short on time, thawing a turkey in cold water is the best method to try. Though not as fast as thawing in the refrigerator, it’s still not fast enough to begin on Thanksgiving morning, so make sure to plan ahead. You should also keep in mind that the water-thawing method isnt exactly hands-off. In fact, it requires constant attention.
Preserve the turkey in its original packaging, or if you’ve taken it out already, put it in a large, resealable plastic bag and close it. To keep the packaged turkey submerged, place a heavy pie plate or baking dish on top of it and submerge it in a sink or large enough bin filled with cold water. Here’s where the hard part comes in: in order to maintain the bird’s safe temperature, you’ll need to replace the water every 30 minutes. Expect this method to take most of the day. For a 15- to 16-pound bird, this process will take about eight hours and 16 changes of water.
How long does it take to thaw a 20 pound turkey in the refrigerator?
FAQ
How long will it take to defrost a 20 lb turkey in the refrigerator?
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Turkey Weight
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Thaw Time
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4 to 8 pounds
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2 days
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8 to 12 pounds
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3 days
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12 to 16 pounds
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4 days
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16 to 20 pounds
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5 days
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When should I start thawing my 20 pound turkey?
Is it OK to thaw turkey in the fridge for 5 days?
Can I leave my turkey out overnight to thaw?
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 long does it take a Turkey to thaw?
Total thawing time will depend on the size of your turkey; refer to the chart below and allow about 24 hours for every five pounds of turkey. If you have time, give yourself a day or two as a buffer just in case your turkey takes longer to thaw than expected.
Can You refreeze a thawed Turkey?
Once thawed, your turkey will keep in the fridge for up to two days. If you’ve started (or even finished) using this thawing method but then change plans (life happens!), it’s safe to refreeze your turkey, provided it’s been thawed properly in the fridge and is still in its original, unopened packaging.
How do you cook a thawed Turkey?
Place the turkey in the cold water, and then change the water every 30 minutes. This is an important step. Keep refreshing the water, making sure it’s cold, until it’s fully thawed (use the chart above to time it). When it’s done, unwrap it, remove the giblets, and cook immediately (you don’t want to let it sit thawed for too long).