How long does it take a 20-pound turkey to thaw in the refrigerator?

How long does it take a 20-pound turkey to thaw in the refrigerator?

Here’s the calculation: plan on 24 hours of fridge thawing for every 5 pounds of frozen turkey (for example: budget 4 full days of thawing in the fridge for a 20-pound turkey). Keep the turkey wrapped, and occasionally check to see if the baking sheet or roasting pan needs to be drained.

What is the fastest way to thaw a 20-pound turkey?

Here’s the plan: Submerge your bird breast-side down in cold water (a large pot or the sink should do the trick) and change the water every 30 minutes. Make sure the turkey is totally submerged (use a baking dish to weigh it down if you have to). It should take approximately 30 minutes per pound to completely thaw.

How long does it take to cook 20 lb turkey?

Unsure how long you’re supposed to leave the bird in the oven? If you’re baking it at 325°F (the lowest temperature the USDA recommends), you’ll need to bake a 20-lb turkey in the oven for 4 to 5 hours if it’s unstuffed, and 4 ¼ to 5 ¼ hours if it’s stuffed.

How long does it take to thaw a 22 pound turkey in the refrigerator?

How Long to Thaw a Frozen Turkey

Turkey Weight	How Long to Thaw In the Fridge	How Long to Thaw In Cold Water
10 to 18 pounds	2 to 3½ days	5 to 9 hours
18 to 22 pounds	3½ to 4½ days	9 to 11 hours
22 to 24 pounds	4½ to 5 days	11 to 12 hours
24 to 29 pounds	5 to 6 days	12 to 15 hours

How long do I cook a 20 pound turkey?

If you’re baking it at 325°F (the lowest temperature the USDA recommends), you’ll need to bake a 20-lb turkey in the oven for 4 to 5 hours if it’s unstuffed, and 4 ¼ to 5 ¼ hours if it’s stuffed.

Can you leave a turkey out to thaw overnight?

You shouldn’t. This might be surprising since many of us have defrosted frozen chicken on the counter at least once, but the answer is a hard “no” when it comes to a full turkey. And in terms of the chicken, you’re really not supposed to thaw it out on the counter anyway.

Is it better to cook a turkey at 325 or 350?

Roast the turkey uncovered at a temperature ranging from 325°F to 350°F. Higher temperatures may cause the meat to dry out, but this is preferable to temperatures that are too low which may not allow the interior of the turkey to cook to a safe temperature.

How long do you cook a 20 lb turkey at 325 degrees?

For one 14- to 18-pound turkey, roast at 325°F for 3¾ to 4¼ hours. For one 18- to 20-pound turkey, roast at 325°F for 4¼ to 4½ hours. For one 20- to 24-pound turkey, roast at 325°F for 4½ to 5 hours.

How many days does it take to thaw a 21 pound turkey in the refrigerator?

Refrigerator Thawing Thaw turkey breast side up, in an unopened wrapper on a tray in the fridge (40 degrees F or below). Allow at least 1 day of thawing for every 4 lbs of turkey. Keep turkey in original wrapper and place on tray. Use turkey within 4 days after thawing.

How do I thaw 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.

Should you wash your turkey?

According to a study by the food safety experts at the USDA, washing or rinsing raw turkey can put you at risk of foodborne illness. There’s only one time you should wash a raw turkey, and that is after brining. Otherwise, do not wash a turkey before cooking.

How long do you cook a stuffed 20 lb turkey?

Cover turkey loosely with a tent of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Cooking time takes longer for a stuffed turkey. For example, a 20 pound stuffed turkey will take 4 1/4 to 5 1/4 hours to cook.