How long to thaw a turkey
In the fridge, allow
24 hours for every 4 to 5 lb
So a 16 to 20 lb turkey needs 4 to 5 days. Short of time? Cold water takes about 30 minutes per lb.
In the fridge
| Turkey | Fridge (40°F or below) |
|---|---|
| 4 to 12 lb | 1 to 3 days |
| 12 to 16 lb | 3 to 4 days |
| 16 to 20 lb | 4 to 5 days |
| 20 to 24 lb | 5 to 6 days |
In the refrigerator (40°F or below), allow approximately 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds. Keep it in its original wrapper on a tray to catch drips. A thawed turkey can stay in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days.
In cold water
| Turkey | Cold water |
|---|---|
| 4 to 12 lb | 2 to 6 hours |
| 12 to 16 lb | 6 to 8 hours |
| 16 to 20 lb | 8 to 10 hours |
| 20 to 24 lb | 10 to 12 hours |
In cold water, allow approximately 30 minutes per pound. Wrap it securely, submerge it in cold tap water and change the water every 30 minutes. Cook it immediately after thawing. Don't refreeze.
Forgot to thaw it?
You can roast it from frozen. USDA says it takes at least 50 percent longer than the usual times, and the giblet packages have to come out during cooking. Lift them out carefully with tongs or a fork.
The Thanksgiving dinner planner works out the day and time to start thawing yours. Defrosting in kilos? See the UK defrosting guide.
Times, temperatures and thawing advice from the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, Let's Talk Turkey: A Consumer Guide to Safely Roasting a Turkey (updated 2023-11-17), checked 2026-10-25. USDA's times assume a fully thawed turkey in an oven set to 325°F.