NewsNational

It's National Thaw Day. Check to see if now is the time to thaw your Thanksgiving turkey.

Thanksgiving Inflation
Posted at 2:40 PM, Nov 18, 2022
and last updated 2022-11-18 17:03:37-05

Friday marks National Thaw Day, and if you have a turkey in your freezer that you're preparing to cook for Thanksgiving, it might be time for you to begin thawing the bird.

Here is a general rule of thumb on when to move your turkey from the freezer to the refrigerator, according to the USDA:

  • 4 to 12 pounds — 1 to 3 days
  • 12 to 16 pounds — 3 to 4 days
  • 16 to 20 pounds — 4 to 5 days
  • 20 to 24 pounds —5 to 6 days

But let's say you missed the deadline. Does that mean you'll have to wait until Thanksgiving to cook the turkey? There is a way to thaw the turkey using water, but it does require some labor.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, after placing the turkey in a water-tight bag, you can submerge the wrapped turkey in cold tap water. Then, change the water every 30 minutes until thawed.

Here is how long it takes to thaw a turkey using water.:

  • 4 to 12 pounds — 2 to 6 hours
  • 12 to 16 pounds — 6 to 8 hours
  • 16 to 20 pounds — 8 to 10 hours
  • 20 to 24 pounds — 10 to 12 hours

Once a turkey is thawed, the USDA says that a turkey must be cooked within one to two days before becoming contaminated. As a reminder, turkeys must be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees.