Can you thaw a turkey too early?

And don't worry about starting too early—you can safety store a fully thawed turkey for another one or two days in the refrigerator. It's important to keep your kitchen sanitized during this process to avoid food-borne illness.Nov 19, 2021

What if I thawed my turkey too soon?

Once it's thawed, the turkey can be refrigerated for an additional four days before it needs to be cooked. When you are ready to thaw, keep the turkey in its plastic wrap and place it on a rimmed sheet tray or roasting pan to keep any juices from making a mess in your fridge.

How long can you thaw a turkey in the fridge before cooking?

Place it on a tray to catch any juices that may leak. A thawed turkey can remain in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days. If necessary, a turkey that has been properly thawed in the refrigerator may be refrozen.

How early can you thaw a turkey?

Refrigerator Thawing (Recommended) If your turkey weighs 16 pounds, it will take about four days to thaw. Once thawed, the turkey is safe for another two days, so you can start thawing it six days before thanksgiving (the Friday before Thanksgiving).

Will a 15 pound turkey thaw overnight?

The USDA recommends allowing at least one day of thawing for every four pounds of turkey. That means your 20-pound whopper will need five days to properly thaw in the refrigerator. Once the bird is thawed, be sure to cook it within a few days. … So thaw the turkey in the fridge six days before Thanksgiving.

Can you put turkey back in fridge after thawing in cold water?

It is safe to cook turkey thawed in cold water then put back in the fridge.

How do you defrost a 20 pound turkey?

Thaw It in the Refrigerator Thawing in the refrigerator is the ONLY recommended way to defrost a frozen turkey. For it to work, however, you'll need plenty of time: 24 hours of defrosting time for every 4 to 5 pounds of bird. A large turkey, say, 15 to 20 pounds, will need to spend 4 to 5 days in the refrigerator.

How do you defrost a partially frozen turkey?

If you've missed the fridge thawing window, try our favorite quick-thaw method: submerge the turkey (breast-side down with its wrapping still on) in a sink or a cooler full of cold water, changing out the water every half hour. Allow 30 minutes to thaw for each pound of turkey.

When should I take my turkey out of the refrigerator before cooking?

Get your turkey out of the fridge 30 minutes before you cook it. You'll get less shrinkage when it goes into a hot oven. Always preheat your oven for at least 20 minutes before cooking your turkey. Place a trivet of veggies and onions in the bottom of the tray to help make an epic gravy with all the juices.