ThawDay gives plain thaw times for holiday food.
Cold water is the fast, safe way. It thaws 1 lb in 30 minutes. Found a frozen 14 lb bird on Wednesday, November 25? Start the water that day. It thaws in 7 hours, in time for Thursday.
Get my full turkey plan| Turkey weight | In cold water |
|---|---|
| 10 lb | 5 hours |
| 14 lb | 7 hours |
| 18 lb | 9 hours |
| 22 lb | 11 hours |
Seal the bird in a leak-proof bag. Sink it in cold tap water. Change the water each 30 minutes. Cook it right after it thaws.
You can cook a frozen bird. USDA says it is safe. It takes about half as long again to roast. See cooking a turkey from frozen.
Never use hot water. Never thaw on the counter. The skin warms while the core stays frozen. Germs grow fast in that warm zone.
Read the Thanksgiving morning rescue plan. Or ask in your own words.