Comments We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing. For the vast majority of us, the turkey we buy for Thanksgiving and other holidays will be frozen when we bring it home. And good golly, is that turkey frozen solid. Unfortunately, many of us have heard stories about the turkey still being frozen on Thanksgiving morning, but with a little know-how you can easily avoid that situation (and cope with it if you find yourself in it). Here’s how to thaw a turkey and still be on-schedule for your holiday meal. Thawing your turkey in the fridge is by far the safest and easiest method — it’stotally hands-off — but it takes the longest and requires a few days of prep. Here’s how to do it efficiently. How to Thaw a Turkey in the Refrigerator
How Long to Thaw a Turkey in the Refrigerator
A note on brining: If you’re planning to brine your turkey, either in a brine solution or with a dry-brine, you can start this while it’s still partially frozen. How to Thaw a Turkey in Cold WaterIf you’re running short on time, you can speed up the thawing process with the cold water method: Simply submerge the frozen turkey, still in its packaging, in cold tap water, allowing about 30 minutes for every pound of turkey. Here’s how to do it.
How Long to Thaw a Turkey in Cold Water
How to Tell When Your Turkey Is Thawed
Why You Shouldn’t Thaw a Turkey on the Countertop
Equipment
InstructionsHow to Thaw a Turkey in the Refrigerator
How to Thaw a Turkey in Cold Water
How long does it take to thaw a 10 lb turkey breast in the refrigerator?Thaw in refrigerator (not at room temperature).
Place unopened roast on a tray in refrigerator for 1½ to 2 days, or until thawed. To thaw faster, place unopened roast in cold tap water for 3 to 5 hours.
How long does it take for a 7 pound turkey breast to thaw in the refrigerator?Thawing Frozen Turkey Breast in the Refrigerator
A 6 or 7-pound turkey breast will take about 1 1/2 days (36 hours) to thaw completely. Again, make sure your the temperature of the fridge is between 37°F and 40°F.
How long can a thawed turkey breast be in the refrigerator?Thawing in the Refrigerator:
Place it on a tray to catch any juices that may leak. A thawed turkey can remain in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days. If necessary, a turkey that has been properly thawed in the refrigerator may be refrozen.
How long does it take to defrost a 4 pound turkey breast in the refrigerator?Refrigerator Thawing
Thaw turkey breast side up, in an unopened wrapper on a tray in the fridge (40 degrees F or below). Allow at least one day of thawing for every 4 lbs of turkey. Keep turkey in original wrapper and place on tray. Use turkey within four days after thawing.
|