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How Long To Thaw A Turkey
Refrigerator Thawing
The safest method is to thaw a 20-24 pound turkey in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days.
A 12-16 pound turkey will take 3 to 4 days to thaw.
An 8-12 pound turkey will take 2 to 3 days.
Cold Water Thawing
For faster thawing, immerse the wrapped turkey breast-side down in cold tap water.
Change the water every 30 minutes to keep it cold, and allow 30 minutes per pound of turkey to thaw.
For a 12-pound turkey, this method will take 6 to 8 hours.
Safety First
Never thaw a turkey at room temperature.
Bacteria will multiply rapidly in the warm, moist environment, and you increase the risk of foodborne illness.
Cook the turkey immediately after thawing