Last Update: 07/29/07

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How to Thaw Your Turkey

Thank you to the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line (1-800-BUTTERBALL)!

Refrigerator thawing is recommended. However, if you are short on time and need quicker method for thawing, submerge the turkey in cold water (bath tub or large ice chest). Thawing turkey at room temperature allows bacterial growth and is not recommended.

Refrigerator Thawing

• Thaw breast side up in its unopened wrapper on a tray in the refrigerator. (The tray is highly-recommended to keep the turkey juice from dripping all over everything as the turkey thaws.)

• Allow at least one day of thawing for every four pounds of turkey.

Cold Water Thawing

• Thaw breast side down in its unopened wrapper in cold water to cover.

• Change the water every 30 minutes to keep the surface cold.

• Estimate minimum thawing time to be 30 minutes per pound for a whole turkey.