The Manual turkey

Turkey Thawing Guide

Thaw a frozen turkey in the fridge at roughly 6 hours per pound, then hold for up to 1-2 days before roasting.

A Crowd Cow Field Guide

Your turkey will arrive frozen, with enough time to fully thaw before Thanksgiving. Here's how to defrost it worry-free.

Approximate fridge thaw times (USDA)

  • Medium (10-12 lb): 2-3 days
  • Large (12-15 lb): 3-4 days
  • X-Large (15-18 lb): 4-5 days

How to thaw

Leave the turkey in its original, unopened plastic. Put the turkey breast side up in a tray or pan to catch any drippings. Place it in the fridge, set to 40°F or below.

Allow about 6 hours per pound for thawing. Once thawed, the turkey can stay in the fridge for another 1-2 days before you cook it.

If it's still solid the day before

Check on your turkey 24-36 hours ahead of cooking to make sure it's defrosting at the right pace. If the turkey is still solid on the outside, take it out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for up to 6 hours before cooking. Check it hourly — it should be cool to the touch but not frozen.

Related topics: turkey thawing thanksgiving