A frozen turkey can look harmless sitting in the freezer until you count the days before dinner. Then that solid bird starts to feel like a block of ice with a deadline. Large turkeys do not thaw overnight in the refrigerator, and a 20-pound bird may need close to five full days before it is ready for the oven.
So, how long does it take to thaw a turkey? In a refrigerator kept at 40°F or colder, allow about 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds. With the cold-water method, allow about 30 minutes per pound. That means a 16-pound turkey needs about three to four days in the refrigerator or around eight hours in cold water.
Turkey Thawing Time Chart
The chart below gives an easy starting point for most whole frozen turkeys.
| Turkey Weight | Refrigerator Thawing Time | Cold-Water Thawing Time |
|---|---|---|
| 4 to 8 pounds | 1 to 2 days | 2 to 4 hours |
| 8 to 12 pounds | 2 to 3 days | 4 to 6 hours |
| 12 to 16 pounds | 3 to 4 days | 6 to 8 hours |
| 16 to 20 pounds | 4 to 5 days | 8 to 10 hours |
| 20 to 24 pounds | 5 to 6 days | 10 to 12 hours |
These times are estimates. A refrigerator that runs close to 40°F may thaw a bird a little slower than one kept colder. Turkey thickness also changes how quickly the center softens.
How Long Does It Take to Thaw a Turkey in the Refrigerator?
Refrigerator thawing takes about one day for every 4 to 5 pounds of turkey.
Keep the turkey in its original wrapper and place it on a rimmed tray, roasting pan, or large plate. The tray catches any raw liquid that leaks from the package as the bird softens.
Put the turkey on a low refrigerator shelf. Keep the refrigerator at 40°F or colder during the entire thaw.
Here are common refrigerator thawing times:
- 8-pound turkey: about 2 days
- 10-pound turkey: about 2 to 3 days
- 12-pound turkey: about 3 days
- 14-pound turkey: about 3 to 4 days
- 16-pound turkey: about 3 to 4 days
- 18-pound turkey: about 4 days
- 20-pound turkey: about 4 to 5 days
- 22-pound turkey: about 5 days
- 24-pound turkey: about 5 to 6 days
Giving yourself an extra day is usually better than cutting the timing close. A turkey thawed in the refrigerator can stay refrigerated for another one to two days before cooking.
How Long Does a 12 Pound Turkey Take to Thaw?
A 12-pound turkey generally needs about three days in the refrigerator.
If you use cold water, allow about six hours. Keep the turkey sealed and submerged in cold tap water. Replace the water every 30 minutes.
If dinner is Thursday, moving a 12-pound turkey from the freezer to the refrigerator on Monday should give it roughly three days. Sunday gives you extra room in case the center takes longer.
How Long Does a 14 Pound Turkey Take to Thaw?
A 14-pound turkey usually needs about three to four days in the refrigerator.
Cold-water thawing takes around seven hours.
For a Thursday meal, Sunday is a comfortable refrigerator start day. Saturday is fine too because the thawed bird can remain chilled for another day or two before cooking.
How Long Does a 16 Pound Turkey Take to Thaw?
Allow about three to four days to thaw a 16-pound turkey in the refrigerator.
If you need the faster cold-water option, plan on approximately eight hours.
A turkey this size can still have ice hidden deep inside the cavity even when the breast feels soft. Check around the neck area and inside the main cavity before seasoning.
How Long Does an 18 Pound Turkey Take to Thaw?
An 18-pound turkey needs roughly four days in the refrigerator.
Cold-water thawing takes around nine hours.
If you are cooking on Thursday, moving the turkey to the refrigerator on Sunday is a reasonable target. Saturday gives you a larger cushion.
How Long Does a 20 Pound Turkey Take to Thaw?
A 20-pound turkey generally needs four to five days in the refrigerator.
In cold water, allow approximately 10 hours.
This size catches many holiday cooks by surprise. A bird that large is thick enough that the outside can feel completely soft while the center still holds a stubborn pocket of ice.
For a Thursday dinner, move a 20-pound bird into the refrigerator by Saturday or early Sunday. Starting Friday is also fine if you have refrigerator space.
How Long Does a 24 Pound Turkey Take to Thaw?
A large 24-pound turkey can need five to six days in the refrigerator.
Cold-water thawing takes around 12 hours.
For a Thursday holiday meal, a 24-pound bird may need to leave the freezer on Friday or Saturday. Waiting until Monday would leave too little refrigerator time.
How to Thaw a Turkey in Cold Water
Cold water is the faster option when refrigerator time is running out.
Keep the turkey inside airtight packaging. If the wrapper is damaged, place the bird inside a large leak-proof food bag.
Submerge the turkey completely in cold tap water. A large sink, cooler, or food-safe container may be needed for a big bird.
Replace the water every 30 minutes. Do not fill the container once and leave it untouched all day.
Allow about 30 minutes for each pound of turkey.
For example:
- 10-pound turkey: about 5 hours
- 12-pound turkey: about 6 hours
- 14-pound turkey: about 7 hours
- 16-pound turkey: about 8 hours
- 18-pound turkey: about 9 hours
- 20-pound turkey: about 10 hours
- 24-pound turkey: about 12 hours
Cook the turkey right after cold-water thawing.
Why Do You Have to Change the Water Every 30 Minutes?
The water around a frozen turkey changes temperature as the bird thaws. Replacing it with fresh cold water keeps the thaw moving at a steady pace while keeping the outside of the turkey cold.
Skipping the water changes also makes thawing less predictable. A fresh cold bath every half hour gives the bird more even contact with cold water.
Can You Thaw a Turkey Overnight in Water?
Do not place a turkey in a sink of water before bed and leave it there until morning.
The cold-water method requires the water to be replaced every 30 minutes. An unattended sink or container does not meet that requirement.
If you need an overnight method, use the refrigerator.
Can You Thaw a Turkey on the Counter?
No. A whole turkey should not be left on a kitchen counter to thaw.
The problem starts with the difference between the outside and the center. The surface softens and warms first. Meanwhile, the middle may remain frozen solid for hours.
By the time the center finally thaws, the outer meat may have spent far too long at room temperature.
A cold-feeling center does not mean the entire turkey has stayed cold.
Can You Thaw a Turkey in Hot Water?
Hot water is not a good shortcut.
It warms the outer meat much faster than the frozen center. Warm water has the same basic problem.
If you need a faster thaw, use cold water and change it every 30 minutes.
Can You Thaw a Turkey in the Microwave?
A microwave can thaw a turkey if the bird fits inside with enough room to rotate.
Follow the directions for your microwave because power levels and cavity sizes differ from one model to another.
Remove packaging that is not microwave-safe before starting.
Microwaves can heat poultry unevenly. Thin areas may begin to cook while thicker sections remain icy. For that reason, a microwave-thawed turkey should go straight into cooking.
This method is much easier with a small turkey or turkey breast than with a 20-pound holiday bird.
How Do You Know When a Turkey Is Fully Thawed?
Do not judge the turkey by the breast alone.
A fully thawed turkey should feel flexible rather than rigid. The legs and wings should move freely. You should also be able to reach into the cavity without meeting a large block of ice.
Check the neck and giblet packet. These areas often stay frozen longer than the outer breast.
If the giblet packet is frozen firmly in place, give the turkey more thawing time rather than forcing it out.
What If My Turkey Is Still Frozen the Day Before Cooking?
If the turkey is only partly frozen, keep it in the refrigerator and check it again later.
If time is short, switch to the cold-water method. Keep the bird sealed and replace the water every 30 minutes.
For example, suppose an 18-pound turkey has spent three days in the refrigerator but still has a frozen center. It may not need the full nine-hour cold-water time because part of the thaw has already happened. Check the cavity and joints as the bird sits in cold water.
What If My Turkey Is Still Frozen on Cooking Day?
You have two main choices: finish thawing it in cold water or cook it from frozen.
A turkey can be roasted from a frozen state, but it will need considerably more oven time. A fully frozen bird may take at least 50 percent longer than a thawed one.
You may not be able to remove the giblet packet at the start. As the turkey heats, the cavity will soften enough for removal later with kitchen tongs.
Do not rely on cooking time alone. The turkey needs to reach 165°F in the thickest part of the breast, the inner thigh area, and the inner wing area.
How Long Can a Thawed Turkey Stay in the Refrigerator?
A turkey thawed in the refrigerator can generally stay there for one to two days before cooking.
This is why starting early works so well. Finishing the thaw a day ahead does not mean you have mistimed dinner.
If the bird is ready on Wednesday and dinner is Thursday, keep it refrigerated until you are ready to prepare it.
Can You Refreeze a Thawed Turkey?
If the turkey thawed in the refrigerator and remained cold, it can generally be frozen again before cooking.
The meat may lose some moisture after another freeze and thaw, so you may notice a small change in texture.
If you used cold water or a microwave, cook the turkey before freezing it again.
When Should You Start Thawing a Turkey for Thanksgiving?
Count backward from the day you plan to cook.
If Thanksgiving dinner is Thursday, these refrigerator start days give you a useful guide:
| Turkey Weight | Good Day to Start Thawing for Thursday |
|---|---|
| 8 to 12 pounds | Monday, or Sunday for extra time |
| 12 to 16 pounds | Sunday |
| 16 to 20 pounds | Saturday or Sunday |
| 20 to 24 pounds | Friday or Saturday |
Starting earlier is usually easier than trying to rescue a frozen center on Thursday morning.
Should You Remove the Turkey Wrapper Before Thawing?
Leave the turkey in its original wrapper during refrigerator thawing.
Put the wrapped bird on a tray or inside a roasting pan to catch leaks.
For cold-water thawing, the package must be airtight. If you are not confident in the store wrapper, place the entire bird inside a leak-proof bag before putting it in water.
Should You Wash a Turkey After It Thaws?
There is no need to rinse a raw turkey before cooking.
Running water over raw poultry can splash tiny droplets around the sink, faucet, nearby dishes, and worktops.
Remove the wrapper and giblets, pat the bird dry with paper towels if your recipe calls for it, then prepare it for cooking. Wash your hands after touching raw poultry.
Can You Brine a Turkey Before It Is Fully Thawed?
A mostly thawed turkey is easier to brine because the cavity is open and the meat is easier to handle.
If the center is still a solid block, give it more thawing time before wet brining.
A turkey with only a small amount of ice left inside may finish thawing during a refrigerated wet brine, provided the bird stays at 40°F or colder.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days does it take to thaw a turkey?
Allow about one refrigerator day for every 4 to 5 pounds. A 12-pound turkey takes roughly three days, while a 20-pound turkey needs about four to five days.
Can a turkey thaw in two days?
A small turkey can. An 8- to 10-pound bird may thaw in about two days. Larger birds need more time.
How long does it take to thaw a 15 pound turkey?
Allow about three to four days in the refrigerator or roughly seven and a half hours in cold water.
How long does it take to thaw a 20 lb turkey?
Plan on about four to five days in the refrigerator or approximately 10 hours in cold water.
Is five days too long to thaw a turkey?
Not for a large bird. A turkey weighing 20 to 24 pounds can need five to six days in the refrigerator. A refrigerator-thawed turkey can also remain chilled for another one to two days before cooking.
Can I thaw a turkey three days before cooking?
That timing works for many turkeys in the 12-pound range. Bigger birds may need to start earlier. If the bird finishes thawing one or two days before cooking, it can remain refrigerated.
What is the fastest safe way to thaw a whole turkey?
Cold water is the practical fast method for most whole turkeys. Allow about 30 minutes per pound and replace the water every 30 minutes.
The Easy Turkey Thawing Rule
The easiest number to remember is 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds when thawing in the refrigerator.
If the clock is already running short, remember the cold-water rule: 30 minutes per pound.
A 12-pound bird needs about three refrigerator days. A 16-pound bird needs about three to four. A 20-pound turkey needs four to five, and a 24-pound bird may need nearly six days.
Give yourself extra time when you can. A turkey that finishes thawing early can stay chilled for another day or two, while a bird with an icy center can throw your whole cooking schedule off course. Put the turkey on a tray, keep it cold, check the cavity before cooking, and you will have a much calmer start when the oven finally turns on.