Tips
- Keep the turkey in its original wrapping while it’s thawing.
- Place breast-side-up in a baking pan to keep any drips from contaminating other foods and refrigerator surfaces.
- You can hold the thawed turkey in the fridge for up to 2 days before cooking.
Thawing Times
The times shown are approximate, and are based on thawing a whole frozen turkey. How long to thaw a turkey:
- Thaw time in the fridge requires about 24 hours for every 5 pounds in a refrigerator set at about 40° F.
- Thaw time in cold water requires about 30 minutes per pound in cold water, refreshed every 30 minutes.
| Size | Fridge | Cold Water |
| 24 to 29 pounds | 5 to 6 days | 12 to 15 hours |
| 22 to 24 pounds | 4-1/2 to 5 days | 11 to 12 hours |
| 18 to 22 pounds | 3-1/2 to 4-1/2 days | 9 to 11 hours |
| 10 to 18 pounds | 2 to 3-1/2 days | 5 to 9 hours |