How do I thaw my Turkey?
If you need to cook your turkey in the next couple of days we recommend softening the bird in your refrigerator. Below is the USDA’s recommended refrigerator thawing times.
Refrigerator Thawing Times
4 to 12 pounds – 1 to 2 days
12 to 16 pounds – 2 to 3 days
16 to 20 pounds – 3 to 4 days
If you need to cook your turkey in less than one day we recommend softening your bird in a cold water bath. Allow about 30 minutes per pound. Submerge the turkey (in original bag) in cold tap water. Change the water every 30 minutes until the turkey is thawed. Cook the turkey immediately after it is thawed. Below is the USDA’s recommended cold water thawing times. *Please note thawing the turkey more slowly is preferred.*
Cold Water Thawing Times
4 to 12 pounds – 2 to 6 hours
12 to 16 pounds – 6 to 8 hours
16 to 20 pounds – 8 to 10 hours