How Long Does It Take to Thaw a Turkey?

Theres no star of the Thanksgiving show like the turkey, and there are perks to buying a frozen bird. According to the USDA, turkeys can actually be kept in the freezer indefinitely. (They advise cooking it within 1 year for the best quality.) The only catch with going frozen? Itll need enough time to thaw before cooking to ensure your dinner is safe and on time.

If its early in the week and theres no rush, you should thaw your turkey in the refrigerator. In general, it takes a frozen turkey one day for every 4 pounds to thaw in a refrigerator set to 40 degrees F or below. That means if your bird weighs 20 pounds, you should allow five days for it to thaw in the fridge. And if you need to defrost a fully frozen turkey fast? Its best to place your turkey in cool water and allow about 30 minutes per pound for it to thaw, changing the water ever 30 minutes.

RELATED: How Long to Cook a Turkey, in One Easy Chart

Not big on math? Not a problem. Use our simple chart for how long to thaw a turkey, plus more tips for how to thaw a turkey quickly if youre in a pinch.

Water is a better conductor of heat than air so placing your frozen turkey in cool water to thaw works faster than keeping it in the fridge. If you discover your turkey is still frozen on Thanksgiving Day, follow these easy steps to thaw it out quickly and safely:

1. Fill a cooler or the kitchen sink with cool water.
2. Plunge the bird in, in the original wrapper, breast-side down.
3. If the turkey has been defrosting in the fridge for several days already, 30 minutes should be all you need. If you need to defrost a fully frozen turkey, allow 30 minutes per pound, changing the water ever 30 minutes.

No matter how dire the situation, you should never thaw a turkey at room temperature for food safety reasons. The USDA also notes that once you thaw your turkey, you should not refreeze it.

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