Out of the Freezer and Into the Fridge – Thawing the Big Bird
You are just a few days away from Thanksgiving when it becomes crucial to make space in the refrigerator for 
that rock-hard bird. Before you can envision a golden-skinned turkey on the table, it has to thaw. Depending on the bird, this may take several days, especially if you want to do it safely.
The days of thawing or even baking a turkey overnight at an unsupervised room temperature are long gone, as is baking it overnight at 200ºF. With an eye to food safety and keeping many millions of dangerous microbes away from your dinner, a long, slow refrigerator-cold thaw is the preferred method.
Place the bird in a secure plastic bag to prevent any random juices from flowing onto other foods. If you have room, place it in a pan in the bottom part of the fridge.
For refrigerator thawing, count on:
- 3 days for about 12 pounds
- 3-4 days for up to 16 pounds
- 5+days for up to 20 pounds
- 6+ days for up to 24 pounds
Even so, you may find a few ice crystals in the cavities. Once the poultry is out of the package, spend a few minutes running cold water inside the bird and it will be ready in no time.
After thawing, rinse the bird thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels. For larger birds, enlist some assistance with maneuvering. Add salt and pepper in the cavities. You may also wish to add onions, celery, carrots, and oranges for flavoring, unless the bird will be stuffed. Discard these when the turkey is done.
Remove the plastic packets that contain poultry parts. Some brands also include a gravy pouch. Tie, or truss, the turkey's legs and wings. The legs can be tucked into a ring of fat at the nether end. Use toothpicks to pin the wings to the sides.
Coldwater Thaws
Sometimes we forget to thaw the bird in time. The cold-water method can be used, but is best for smaller birds. Larger birds can require up to 12 hours with a water change every half hour. As you can see, this is a direct invitation to bacterial growth. Even a smaller turkey – under 12 pounds – may take as long as six hours.
Defrosting in the Microwave
Microwave thawing is an alternative, with certain drawbacks. Parts of the bird may actually begin to cook before the thawing is complete. Times required will vary per microwave. Check the labeling on the turkey package for best results.