Over a 20 pound turkey? Almost time to thaw it out!
Nov 21, 2024, 7:51 AM | Updated: 9:39 am
Nothing can ruin a Thanksgiving dinner quicker than realizing you did not properly thaw out the turkey before cooking time!
If you are responsible for your family’s Thanksgiving dinner, and have a 20+ pound turkey, then its almost time to begin thawing it out in the refrigerator!
The rule of thumb is 1 day for ever 4lbs so for a 20-24 lb turkey you’ll want to pull it out Friday November 22nd! Here’s a good guideline for you:
Turkey size (in the fridge):
- 4-12l bs : 1 to 3 days
- 12-16 lbs: 3 to 4 days
- 16 to 20 lbs: 4 to 5 days
- 20 to 24 lbs: 5 to 6 days
Now if you end up in a tight pinch you can thaw a turkey with cold water in a faster window (just make sure to change the water every 30 minutes)
Turkey Size for cold water:
- 4-12l bs : 2 to 6 hours
- 12-16 lbs: 6 to 8 hours
- 16 to 20 lbs: 8 to 10 hours
- 20 to 24 lbs: 10 to 12 hours
