{"id":595755,"date":"2023-10-28T03:36:00","date_gmt":"2023-10-28T00:36:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/how-long-to-thaw-a-turkey-for-thanksgiving\/"},"modified":"2023-10-28T03:36:00","modified_gmt":"2023-10-28T00:36:00","slug":"how-long-to-thaw-a-turkey-for-thanksgiving","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-long-to-thaw-a-turkey-for-thanksgiving\/","title":{"rendered":"#How Long to Thaw a Turkey for Thanksgiving"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a30e38f9ab47\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a30e38f9ab47\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-long-to-thaw-a-turkey-for-thanksgiving\/#How_to_thaw_a_frozen_turkey_for_Thanksgiving\" >How to thaw a frozen turkey for Thanksgiving<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-long-to-thaw-a-turkey-for-thanksgiving\/#1_Thaw_it_in_the_fridge\" >1. Thaw it in the fridge<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-long-to-thaw-a-turkey-for-thanksgiving\/#Thaw_times_by_weight\" >Thaw times by weight<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-long-to-thaw-a-turkey-for-thanksgiving\/#2_Wrap_the_turkey_when_thawing_it_in_cold_water\" >2. Wrap the turkey when thawing it in cold water<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-long-to-thaw-a-turkey-for-thanksgiving\/#Thaw_times_by_weight-2\" >Thaw times by weight<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-long-to-thaw-a-turkey-for-thanksgiving\/#3_Consider_thawing_the_turkey_using_a_microwave\" >3. Consider thawing the turkey using a microwave<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-long-to-thaw-a-turkey-for-thanksgiving\/#Thaw_times_by_weight-3\" >Thaw times by weight<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-long-to-thaw-a-turkey-for-thanksgiving\/#4_Always_confirm_that_the_bird_has_thawed_completely\" >4. Always confirm that the bird has thawed completely<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-long-to-thaw-a-turkey-for-thanksgiving\/#5_Dont_wait_%E2%80%94_cook_the_turkey_right_away\" >5. Don&#8217;t wait \u2014 cook the turkey right away<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"\">Thanksgiving Day is coming up fast, but let\u2019s face it: Hosting Thanksgiving dinner is no easy feat. From knowing when to start thawing a turkey to how much turkey to make and the perennial question of will I have enough food for my guests, there\u2019s a lot of pressure to make this delicious holiday perfect.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">Beyond the chaos involved in preparing a dinner of epic proportions, food safety should be the top priority.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">After all, friends and family should end the day with leftover pumpkin pie \u2014 not food poisoning.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">That\u2019s why the researchers at Eat This, Not That! compiled a few must-follow tips for how to thaw a frozen turkey: a process that, if done incorrectly, has the potential to bring a ton of illness-causing bacteria to the holiday table.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">While there are a few different ways to thaw a bird, nearly all of them require starting the process a few days prior to turkey day, so it&#8217;s important to prep accordingly and start the process early.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_thaw_a_frozen_turkey_for_Thanksgiving\"><\/span>How to thaw a frozen turkey for Thanksgiving<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Thaw_it_in_the_fridge\"><\/span>1. Thaw it in the fridge<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"\">Don&#8217;t thaw a turkey on the kitchen countertop where it can become a nesting area for nasty bacteria \u2014 or your cat\u2019s midnight snack. Instead, use the fridge.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">Before you place the bird directly in the refrigerator, lay it on a deep rimmed tray or or a roasting pan lined with a wire rack, which will catch any leaks. Place it breast side up (the plumpest area in between the wings) and wrap it tightly with plastic wrap. Place the tray or pan on the lowest shelf in your refrigerator to prevent the risk of foodborne illness. The lowest shelf in your refrigerator should house the food that needs to cook at the highest temperature, like poultry.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">When thawing a turkey in the refrigerator, allow 24 hours of defrosting time for every 4 to 5 pounds of bird, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. So, if the turkey weighs 12 pounds, plan for it to defrost in the fridge for about three days. If 16 pounds or more, make sure it&#8217;s placed in the fridge four to five days before the holiday arrives. As a rule of thumb, thawing your turkey the weekend before Thanksgiving will ensure that it&#8217;s fully defrosted by the time you need to cook it on Thursday. Plus, this gives you plenty of time to brine it either with a wet brine or dry spice rub.<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Thaw_times_by_weight\"><\/span>Thaw times by weight<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<ul class=\"break-above\">\n<li>10-pound turkey: 2 days of thawing in the refrigerator<\/li>\n<li>12-pound turkey: 2 to 3 days of thawing in the refrigerator<\/li>\n<li>14-pound turkey: 2 to 3 days of thawing in the refrigerator<\/li>\n<li>16-pound turkey: 3 to 4 days of thawing in the refrigerator<\/li>\n<li>18-pound turkey: 3 to 4 days of thawing in the refrigerator<\/li>\n<li>20-pound turkey: 4 to 5 days of thawing in the refrigerator<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Wrap_the_turkey_when_thawing_it_in_cold_water\"><\/span>2. Wrap the turkey when thawing it in cold water<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"\">If you plan to thaw the bird in cold water, make sure to seal it in a large, leak-proof plastic bag before submerging it. This will prevent any cross-contamination and ensure that the bird won\u2019t absorb any extra water during the thawing process. Then, fill a bowl or bucket that\u2019s big enough to fit the bird with cold tap water. Submerge the wr<a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>ed turkey in the water and change the water every 30 minutes in order to help to ward off any contaminating bacteria.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">Allow 30 minutes of thawing time for each pound of turkey, which translates to about six hours for a 12-pound turkey. A 15-pound bird will thaw in eight hours. Adjust the thawing time based on the size of the turkey you purchased.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">Still having trouble determining the thaw time of your Thanksgiving turkey? Check out Butterball\u2019s thawing calculator \u2014 which allows people to choose either the refrigerator or cold-water method.<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Thaw_times_by_weight-2\"><\/span>Thaw times by weight<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<ul class=\"break-above\">\n<li>10-pound turkey: 5 hours of thawing in cold water<\/li>\n<li>12-pound turkey: 6 hours of thawing in cold water<\/li>\n<li>14-pound turkey: 7 hours of thawing in cold water<\/li>\n<li>16-pound turkey: 8 hours of thawing in cold water<\/li>\n<li>18-pound turkey: 9 hours of thawing in cold water<\/li>\n<li>20-pound turkey: 10 hours of thawing in cold water<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Consider_thawing_the_turkey_using_a_microwave\"><\/span>3. Consider thawing the turkey using a microwave<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"\">Believe it or not, you can thaw a turkey in the microwave, but proceed with caution. Before deciding whether to thaw the Thanksgiving centerpiece in the microwave, make sure it actually fits in there \u2026 and has some extra space to spin. If the bird is small enough, remove the plastic wrap and place it in a microwave-safe dish or baking dish. Push the defrost button, punch in the weight of the bird and let the microwave work its magic.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">If your microwave lacks a proper defrosting function, determine how long the bird needs to thaw in there based on its weight. Six minutes per pound is a good rule of thumb. Since microwaves tend to heat things unevenly, make sure to rotate and flip the meat throughout the thawing process.<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Thaw_times_by_weight-3\"><\/span>Thaw times by weight<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<ul class=\"break-above\">\n<li>10-pound turkey: 1 hour of thawing in the microwave<\/li>\n<li>12-pound turkey: 1 hour, 12 minutes of thawing in the microwave<\/li>\n<li>14-pound turkey: 1 hour, 24 minutes of thawing in the microwave<\/li>\n<li>16-pound turkey: 1 hour, 36 minutes of thawing in the microwave<\/li>\n<li>18-pound turkey: 1 hour, 48 minutes of thawing in the microwave<\/li>\n<li>20-pound turkey: 2 hours of thawing in the microwave<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Always_confirm_that_the_bird_has_thawed_completely\"><\/span>4. Always confirm that the bird has thawed completely<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"\">To ensure the bird is totally defrosted, reach one hand into the hollow part and check for ice crystals. Then, using a fork, poke the thick parts of the bird and make sure they&#8217;re no longer hard or icy. If they are, the turkey definitely needs more time to thaw.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Dont_wait_%E2%80%94_cook_the_turkey_right_away\"><\/span>5. Don&#8217;t wait \u2014 cook the turkey right away<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"\">After it\u2019s thawed, the turkey must be cooked im<a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/social-mediaa\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Social Media\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">media<\/a>tely. That&#8217;s because once the bird is defrosted, bacteria can begin to regrow, according to the USDA. That\u2019s bad <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/news\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"2\" title=\"News\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">news<\/a> for anyone planning to hit the malls the next day for some Black Friday bargains.<\/p>\n<p class=\"endmark\">Those invisible bugs have the potential to cause salmonella and other bad bacteria, which could make your loved ones sick if consumed. If you overestimated the amount of time the turkey needed to defrost and it\u2019s good to go a few days before the holiday, it\u2019s safe to store the bird in the fridge \u2014 just don\u2019t keep it in there for more than three to four days.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more News articles, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/news\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">News category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.today.com\/food\/how-properly-thaw-frozen-turkey-thanksgiving-t119180\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Thanksgiving Day is coming up fast, but let\u2019s face it: Hosting Thanksgiving dinner is no easy feat. From knowing when to start thawing a turkey to how much turkey to make and the perennial question of will I have enough food for my guests, there\u2019s a lot of pressure to make this delicious holiday perfect&#8230;.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":595756,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_social_share_1200x630_center,f_auto,q_auto:best\/newscms\/2020_47\/1638319\/thawing-turkey-te-main-201118.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[70897],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-595755","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/595755","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=595755"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/595755\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/595756"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=595755"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=595755"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=595755"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}