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How Long Does it Take to Thaw a Turkey in the Refrigerator?

Frozen turkeys take twenty-four hours for each five pounds of meat to thaw in the refrigerator.

More Info: The best way to thaw a turkey in the refrigerator is to leave it in its original packaging and place it on a cookie sheet or platter in the refrigerator. Never thaw a turkey at room temperature, as it promotes the growth of bacteria. Turkeys can also be thawed in cold water. Fill a kitchen sink with cold water and place the turkey in breast side down. It's important to change the water in the sink every thirty minutes to keep the temperature cold. This method of thawing a turkey is quicker than the refrigerator method, and only requires thirty minutes for every pound of turkey.

No matter how you thaw your turkey, be sure to allow adequate time for the turkey to thaw. Remember that a defrosted turkey will keep in the refrigerator for between two to four days, so it is always better to allow more time than not enough.