How does the timeline tool work?

Tell it dinner time and turkey size. Get every date: buy, thaw, brine, roast.

ThawDay tells you when to thaw your turkey.

ThawDay

Q: When do I start thawing?

Allow 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds. 12 to 16 pounds needs 3 to 4 days. Start 4 days before you cook. It keeps 1 to 2 days once thawed. Keep it in the fridge.

Q: Is fridge thawing or cold water thawing better?

The fridge is hands-off. Cold water is faster. Seal it in a leak-proof bag, under cold tap water. Change the water every 30 minutes. Then cook right after. Never thaw on the counter.

Q: Can I cook a turkey from frozen?

Yes. USDA says it is safe. It takes at least half longer. Than a thawed bird. For a 15 lb bird at 325 F. 5 hours 45 minutes at least. Up to 6 hours 30 minutes. Do not use an oven bag. Pull the giblet packet out with tongs. Do it 20 to 30 minutes in. The calculator gives the time for your bird.

For Thanksgiving 2026

A 14 lb bird moves Sunday, November 22.Your dinner hour does not change this date.

Turkey weight

Other weight

Dinner date Dinner time

Brine?

BuySun, Nov 15Buy by this date
ThawSun, Nov 22Move it to the fridge
BrineWed, Nov 25If you brine
RoastThu, Nov 26In the oven by 1:17 PM

First step: buy a frozen turkey by Sunday, November 15.

Counting down to move day, Sunday, November 22.

Dinner is Thursday, November 26, 2026.

See the full day-by-day plan

Thanksgiving move dates by weight

21 to 24 lbFriday, November 20
17 to 20 lbSaturday, November 21
13 to 16 lbSunday, November 22
Up to 12 lbMonday, November 23

Dinner is Thursday, November 26, 2026. Brining? Move it about a day earlier.

See the full Thanksgiving plan

Short answer for Thanksgiving 2026

Dinner is Thursday, November 26, 2026.

Move a frozen bird to the fridge on:

Up to 12 lb: Monday, November 23
13 to 16 lb: Sunday, November 22
17 to 20 lb: Saturday, November 21
21 to 24 lb: Friday, November 20

Brining? Move it about a day earlier.

Thaw times at a glance

Use the fridge at 40 F or below: 24 hours per 4 to 5 pounds.

WeightFridgeCold water

4–12 lb1–3 days2–6 hrs

12–16 lb3–4 days6–8 hrs

16–20 lb4–5 days8–10 hrs

20–24 lb5–6 days10–12 hrs

Short on time?Cold water: seal the bird in a leak-proof bag.Submerge it in cold tap water.30 minutes per pound.Change the water every 30 minutes.Cook right after.Never thaw on the counter.

USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service.

Three safe ways to thaw

Fridge24 hours per 4–5 lbHands-off

Cold water30 min per lbFastest

MicrowavePer your microwave manualNo waiting

How it works

You enter. Dinner day and time. Bird size, in pounds.
We do the math. We use USDA thaw charts. We count back from dinner.
You get your dates. Buy, thaw, brine, and roast.

Two ways to use ThawDay

In ChatGPT or Claude (coming soon)

Ask in plain words.Follow up in the same chat.

Both ways use USDA charts.

Questions

When do I start thawing?

Allow 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds.12 to 16 pounds needs 3 to 4 days.It keeps 1 to 2 days once thawed.Keep it in the fridge.

Is fridge thawing or cold water thawing better?

The fridge is hands-off.Cold water is faster.Seal it in a leak-proof bag, under cold tap water.Change the water every 30 minutes.Then cook right after.Never thaw on the counter.

Can I cook a turkey from frozen?

Yes. USDA says it is safe.It takes at least half longer.Than a thawed bird.For a 15 lb bird at 325 F.5 hours 45 minutes at least.Up to 6 hours 30 minutes.Do not use an oven bag.Pull the giblet packet out with tongs.Do it 20 to 30 minutes in.The calculator gives the time for your bird.

Every question, answered in full

How long to thaw a turkeyWhen to take the turkey out of the freezer for ThanksgivingCan you thaw a turkey in cold water?Can you cook a turkey from frozen?How long can a thawed turkey stay in the fridge?

Made by a dad, on the side

I'm Billy, a dad in Redmond, Washington. I build these tools on the side, with AI: one idea, one website, no company behind it. ThawDay is my turkey tool: one question, one right answer, timed to your dinner.