How to thaw a turkey safely
Thaw a turkey in the refrigerator, allowing about one day for every four to five pounds, on a tray on the bottom shelf. Short on time, submerge it in its wrapping in cold water, changing the water every half hour and allowing about half an hour per pound, then cook it right away. Never thaw it on the counter. Cook until the thickest parts reach 165 degrees.
Why it matters: Hosting a holiday meal for the first time usually starts with a frozen bird and not enough days.
Steps
- Count back from the holiday: allow about one day in the fridge for every four to five pounds.
- Put the wrapped turkey on a rimmed tray on the bottom shelf of the fridge.
- If time is short, submerge it, still wrapped, in a sink of cold water.
- Change the cold water every half hour and allow about half an hour per pound.
- Cook a water thawed turkey right away.
- Wash hands, the sink and anything the raw bird touched with hot, soapy water.
- Cook until a thermometer reads 165 degrees in the thickest part of the breast, the innermost thigh and the wing.
Stop and call a professional if
- someone gets sick after the meal, with fever, blood in the stool, repeated vomiting or signs of dehydration: contact a clinician
Common mistakes
- Thawing the turkey on the counter or in warm water.
- Starting to thaw the day before the meal.
- Rinsing the raw turkey in the sink.
Teach this to someone
A one page sheet for showing a friend, a teenager or a parent: what to say, what to show, and one question to check it landed.
Teach: How to thaw a turkey safely
What to say
Thaw a turkey in the refrigerator, allowing about one day for every four to five pounds, on a tray on the bottom shelf. Short on time, submerge it in its wrapping in cold water, changing the water every half hour and allowing about half an hour per pound, then cook it right away. Never thaw it on the counter. Cook until the thickest parts reach 165 degrees.
What to show
- Count back from the holiday: allow about one day in the fridge for every four to five pounds.
- Put the wrapped turkey on a rimmed tray on the bottom shelf of the fridge.
- If time is short, submerge it, still wrapped, in a sink of cold water.
- Change the cold water every half hour and allow about half an hour per pound.
- Cook a water thawed turkey right away.
- Wash hands, the sink and anything the raw bird touched with hot, soapy water.
- Cook until a thermometer reads 165 degrees in the thickest part of the breast, the innermost thigh and the wing.
Where it stops
Stop and call a professional if someone gets sick after the meal, with fever, blood in the stool, repeated vomiting or signs of dehydration: contact a clinician.
Check question
How long does a turkey take to thaw in the fridge?
Answer: About a day for every four to five pounds. A large bird needs several days.
Your checklist
Saved only in this browser.
Quick quiz
Three questions. Your score is saved only in this browser.
Related skills
Sources
- US federal food safety guidance for home cooks, 2026. Reviewed September 28, 2026.
Written in our own words from the sources above. It is general information, not advice for your situation; where a professional, your doctor or your lease says something different, follow them.
Last reviewed . First published .