Description
How to Thaw a Turkey – need to thaw a turkey? This is your go-to guide on thawing any turkey or turkey breast. All your questions answered!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (12 pound) whole turkey
Instructions
- Keep the turkey in the original wrapper.
- Place your turkey breast side up in a pan to prevent any drippings from getting all over your fridge. Ensure the temperature of your fridge is 40 degrees F. or colder.
- Allow 24 hours for every 4-5 pounds of turkey.
- Once the turkey is thawed in the fridge it can continue to stay there for up to 2 days before cooking – this is one perk to thawing in the fridge!
Notes
- Never: never thaw a turkey using hot/warm water, in a microwave, oven or at room temperature.
- Refrigerator vs. Cold Water: the safest way to thaw a turkey is in the refrigerator, as described above. The Cold Water method works well in a pinch, but you really have to be careful and watch the water temperature and you have to cook your turkey immediately.
- USDA: for more information about food safety, cross contamination and/or answers to other foodborne illness questions please check out the U.S. Department of Agriculture website.