Del BaileyThaw a turkey in the refrigerator for about 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds, so a 20-pound bird needs 4 to 5 days. In cold water it takes about 30 minutes per pound, with the water changed every 30 minutes. Those are the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) figures, and the counter is never a safe option.
Published October 12, 2026.
How long to thaw a turkey
I cook most nights, and I have done the holiday bird enough years to know where it goes wrong. It is almost never the oven. It is the calendar. People buy a frozen turkey on the weekend, put it in the fridge on Tuesday, and find a solid core on Thursday morning. Count backward from dinner, and start earlier than feels necessary, so the last day is left for the sides and the fresh cooking herbs.
FSIS lists three safe methods: the refrigerator, cold water and the microwave. Here are its times by weight for the first two:
| Turkey weight | Refrigerator (40°F or below) | Cold water (changed every 30 minutes) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 to 12 pounds | 1 to 3 days | 2 to 6 hours |
| 12 to 16 pounds | 3 to 4 days | 6 to 8 hours |
| 16 to 20 pounds | 4 to 5 days | 8 to 10 hours |
| 20 to 24 pounds | 5 to 6 days | 10 to 12 hours |
Once a turkey has thawed in the fridge, FSIS says it can stay there for 1 to 2 days before cooking. That gives you a cushion. Starting a day early costs nothing, while starting a day late leaves you with ice in the cavity.
How long to thaw a turkey in the fridge
The refrigerator is the slowest method and the most forgiving. FSIS says to allow approximately 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds, in a refrigerator at 40°F or below. Leave the bird in its original wrapper and set it on a tray or in a pan to catch drips. Raw turkey juice on the shelf below is the mess you are trying to prevent.
Check your fridge temperature too. FoodSafety.gov, the federal food safety site, says the refrigerator should be set to 40°F or colder and the freezer to 0°F or colder. A cheap appliance thermometer on the middle shelf tells you whether yours actually runs that cold.
Here is the counting-back math for a Thursday dinner, using the FSIS chart. A 20-pound bird needs 4 to 5 days, so it goes in the fridge by Saturday or Sunday. A 14-pound bird needs 3 to 4 days, which means Sunday or Monday. Birds under 12 pounds need 1 to 3 days, so Monday is a safe start.
How long to thaw a turkey in cold water
Cold water is the rescue method when the calendar got away from you. FSIS says to allow approximately 30 minutes per pound. Wrap the turkey securely so water cannot leak in, submerge it in cold tap water, and change the water every 30 minutes. A 16-pound bird takes 8 hours, which means the method needs a full day at home.
The rules after cold-water thawing are stricter. FSIS says to cook the turkey immediately after it thaws and not to refreeze it. A clean sink or a large cooler works for the bath. Check ahead of time that yours can hold the whole bird under water.
Can you thaw a turkey in the microwave
Only a small one, and only if your microwave can handle it. FSIS says to check the owner’s manual for the largest turkey that fits, the minutes per pound and the power level. Remove all outside wrapping and set the bird on a microwave-safe dish. Cook it immediately afterward. FSIS also says not to refreeze or refrigerate a turkey thawed in the microwave.
Can you thaw a turkey on the counter
No. FoodSafety.gov says not to thaw or marinate food on the counter. The concern is the danger zone, the range between 40°F and 140°F where germs grow rapidly. Perishable food should not sit out for more than 2 hours, or more than 1 hour above 90°F. A big turkey takes far longer than 2 hours to thaw. So the outer layer would spend hours in that range while the middle is still frozen.
Can you cook a frozen turkey
Yes. FSIS says it is safe to cook a turkey that is still frozen. The cooking time will take at least 50 percent longer than for a fully thawed turkey. According to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, a partly frozen bird needs less extra time than a solid one.
The giblets are the catch. A frozen bird still has its neck and giblet packages inside. UNL Extension says to remove them during cooking with tongs or a fork once the turkey has thawed enough. If they were wrapped in paper and cooked inside the bird, there is no safety concern. If they were in a plastic bag that melted or changed shape, do not use the giblets or the turkey.
How long to cook a turkey
Once it is thawed, here are the FSIS roasting times for an unstuffed turkey in a 325°F oven:
| Turkey weight (unstuffed) | Roasting time at 325°F |
|---|---|
| 8 to 12 pounds | 2¾ to 3 hours |
| 12 to 14 pounds | 3 to 3¾ hours |
| 14 to 18 pounds | 3¾ to 4¼ hours |
| 18 to 20 pounds | 4¼ to 4½ hours |
| 20 to 24 pounds | 4½ to 5 hours |
Time is a guide. Temperature is the test. FSIS says the turkey is safe at 165°F, measured with a food thermometer in the innermost part of the thigh and wing and the thickest part of the breast. Check all three spots, since one can lag behind the others.
How long can a thawed turkey stay in the fridge
FSIS says a turkey thawed in the refrigerator can stay there for 1 to 2 days before cooking. After dinner, the leftovers have their own clock. The FSIS leftovers page says to refrigerate cooked food within 2 hours and use it within about 3 to 4 days. Frozen leftovers keep their quality for about 3 to 4 months. Reheat them to 165°F.
Set a timer when dinner ends so the 2-hour window does not slip past during dessert. If you have questions on the day, the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline is 1-888-674-6854 (1-888-MPHotline), according to UNL Extension.
Turkey thawing FAQ
How long to thaw a 20 lb turkey?
In the refrigerator, a 20-pound turkey needs 4 to 5 days, based on the USDA FSIS rule of about 24 hours per 4 to 5 pounds. In cold water it takes 8 to 10 hours, with the water changed every 30 minutes. For a Thursday dinner, put it in the fridge by Saturday or Sunday.
How long to thaw a 15 lb turkey?
A 15-pound turkey falls in the 12- to 16-pound row of the FSIS chart. That means 3 to 4 days in a refrigerator at 40°F or below, or 6 to 8 hours in cold water changed every 30 minutes. A fridge-thawed bird can then wait 1 to 2 days before cooking.
What if my turkey is still frozen?
Cook it anyway. USDA FSIS says it is safe to cook a frozen turkey, but it will take at least 50 percent longer than a thawed one. Pull the giblet packages out with tongs once they loosen, and confirm 165°F in the thigh, wing and thickest part of the breast.
Can you refreeze a thawed turkey?
It depends on how you thawed it. FSIS says a turkey thawed properly in the refrigerator can be refrozen. A turkey thawed in cold water or in the microwave should be cooked right away and not refrozen. Cooked leftovers can be frozen for about 3 to 4 months.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Talk to a licensed clinician about your own situation.
Madeline Marshall
Travis Fuller