I tried 2 days last year, and it wasn't long enough!
2007-11-13 04:40:20 · 9 answers · asked by ? 7 in Food & Drink ➔ Cooking & Recipes
Plan ahead for slow, safe thawing in the refrigerator. A turkey requires at least 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds of weight to thaw in a refrigerator set at 40 degrees F. For an 8-12 lb. turkey allow 1 to 2 days for thawing; for a 12-16 lb. turkey allow 2 to 3 days; for a 16-20 lb. turkey allow 3 to 4 days; and for a 20-24 lb. turkey allow 4 to 5 days.
2007-11-13 04:49:30 · answer #1 · answered by tanya c 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have a 22 pound turkey for 9 people! You're not going to have any leftovers. LOL I use fresh turkey, so I'm not sure about the defrosting part of your question. But I do know that you should NEVER defrost a turkey (or any meat) out of the refrigerator. You always defrost in the fridge to keep meat safe.
2016-05-22 23:29:23 · answer #2 · answered by liliana 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thawing turkey takes about 4 hours per pound. After the turkey is thawed, it should stay good for about a week, so if I were you, I would give your 20 pounder 4-5 days to be safe. There are ways to speed it up (safely), too. I did some research on the food safety side of this and posted it as a blog on the site below.
Happy Turkey day!
Tessa Somers
2007-11-13 04:46:10 · answer #3 · answered by Somersky 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
As a rule of thumb, you’ll need 24 hours for every five pounds of bird, so a 20-pound bird will require four full days of defrosting time. Remember to place the turkey in a pan, to catch any drippings—or, if there’s not enough room, situate the pan on the shelf below.
2007-11-13 04:49:24 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Funny you should ask. I bought a frozen 22 pounder last Thursday and socked it in the fridge. I think it's mostly thawed, so by the day after tomorrow I think it will be totally thawed in time for an early T-day dinner.
2007-11-13 05:09:55 · answer #5 · answered by chefgrille 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
7 days. I've done it for 5 days and the cavity still had ice in it. 7 days works well. Then you still have 4 to 5 days after the thaw to prepare and cook it.
2007-11-13 09:20:18 · answer #6 · answered by David H 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i would say 3 days and see if that would work. if not next year, try for 4 days. but i would try and buy the turkey the day before so you won't have to thaw it, you can just put in the fridge.
2007-11-13 05:48:59 · answer #7 · answered by deb2rule 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
usually takes about 3 days - might take longer if you tend to set your refrigerator on a colder than average setting.
2007-11-13 04:43:52 · answer #8 · answered by Liberty Belle 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
3 days make sure your temp is not too cold or it will take longer
2007-11-13 04:43:47 · answer #9 · answered by EPTX 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋