Turkey still in freezer? Don't panic! Here's how to quickly defrost your Thanksgiving bird

Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida
·4 min read

Thanksgiving is coming up fast. The menu is planned. The shopping is done. Pies are in the oven.

You're feeling pretty good about all your preparations but something is tickling the back of your mind and then you remember: You FORGOT to take the turkey out of the freezer!

Now what?

Don't panic. There are some things you can do to make sure the star of the holiday makes it to the table. Of course, you also could consider vegan options.

Consider buying a fresh turkey

These turkeys should be purchased only one to two days before you plan to cook them, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Keep it in the refrigerator until you're ready to cook it. Be sure to place it on a tray or in a pan to catch any juices.

Do not buy a fresh, pre-stuffed turkey. Harmful bacteria could multiply quickly.

3 ways to safely thaw your frozen turkey

Can't see the USDA tip sheet? Open in a new browser.

There are three ways to thaw a turkey safely: in the refrigerator, in cold water or in the microwave.

How to thaw a frozen turkey in the refrigerator

Unless you got a very small turkey, you may be out of luck for this option the day before Thanksgiving.

Keep the turkey in its original wrapper and place it on something to catch any juices that may leak.

  • Allow about 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds. So that would be:

  • 4-12 pounds: 1 to 3 days

  • 12-16 pounds: 3 to 4 days

  • 16-20 pounds: 4 to 5 days

  • 20-24 pounds: 5 to 6 six days

Want to get food poisoning on Thanksgiving? Didn't think so. Here's how to avoid it

How to thaw a frozen turkey in cold water

How to safely thaw a frozen turkey.
How to safely thaw a frozen turkey.

This option can thaw even a large turkey in time for the holiday. Here's how to do it safely, according to the USDA:

  • Submerge the wrapped turkey in cold tap water.

  • Change the water every 30 minutes.

  • Cook the turkey immediately after it is thawed.

Allow about 30 minutes per pound. So that would be:

  • 4-12 pounds: 2 to 6 hours

  • 12-16 pounds: 6 to 8 hours

  • 16-20 pounds: 8 to 10 hours

  • 20-24 pounds: 10 to 12 hours

How to thaw a frozen turkey in the microwave

Suggestions from the USDA include:

  • Check your owner's manual for the size turkey that will fit in your microwave, the minutes per pound and power level to use.

  • Remove all outside wrapping.

  • Place on a microwave-safe dish to catch any juices that may leak.

  • Use the defrost function based on weight. As a general rule, allow 6 minutes per pound.

  • Rotate the turkey several times, and even flip it as it thaws.

  • If the turkey starts to actually cook instead of just defrost, let it rest for 5 minutes or so before you resume thawing. Partway through thawing you may wish to cover the tips of the wings and drumsticks to shield them from the microwaves and keep them from cooking.

  • Cook immediately.

Can you cook a frozen turkey?

You sure can.

The USDA said it is "perfectly safe" to cook a turkey that is frozen; it will just take longer to cook.

A solidly frozen turkey will take at least 50 percent longer to cook than a thawed turkey.

If your turkey is only partially frozen, remember it will take a bit longer to cook.

Use a food thermometer. The turkey should be 165 degrees in both the innermost part of the thigh, the innermost part of the wing and the thickest part of the breast before it is safe and ready to eat.

How not to thaw a turkey

The USDA warned against these methods to thaw a turkey:

  • Do not thaw a turkey on the counter, in the garage or on the back porch.

  • Don't thaw a turkey in a brown paper grocery bag or plastic garbage bag.

  • Don't use the dishwasher to thaw a turkey (with or without water).

Can you refreeze a thawed turkey?

Yes, but only if it was thawed properly in the refrigerator.

The USDA said a thawed turkey can remain in the refrigerator for one to two days.

Do not refreeze a turkey that has been thawed in cold water or in the microwave.

Have more questions? Turkey hotlines are available

USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline: 1-888-MPHotline 1-888-674-6854

Butterball Turkey Talk Line: 1-800-BUTTERBALL or text 844-877-3456 to chat with our turkey experts.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: How to defrost frozen turkey fast and safely for Thanksgiving