Best Way to Thaw a Turkey

The turkey has become synonymous with Thanksgiving. For many, it wouldn't be the same holiday without this tasty fowl. In the company of tradition, it's placed at the center of the table, roasted to perfection. Which begs the question: What's the best way to thaw the bird?

Types

There are basically three methods when thawing a turkey---in the fridge, in the sink and in the microwave. To thaw a turkey in the fridge, place it in a large pan with enough room on all sides to catch any juices that could drip out. It isn't necessary to remove the turkey from its original wrapper. To thaw a turkey in the sink, securely cover the bird in plastic wrap, making sure to seal it so no water may get inside---your standard plastic garbage bag works best. Then submerge the bird in cold water that should be changed every half hour. To thaw the bird in the microwave, check your owner's manual as these types of ovens vary greatly from model to model. Most should have a section explaining the size of the bird it can handle, the time it will take per pound and the setting needed to properly thaw. Of course, the amount of time you have to thaw the bird will dictate the manner in which you use to accomplish this task---which leads us to our next section.

Time Frame

The time in which it takes to properly thaw a bird in the fridge, the sink or the microwave is based mostly on its size. In the fridge, you should anticipate it taking around 6 hours for every pound. That means a 4-pound bird will need a total of 24 hours to thaw, making those bigger birds a multiday task. In the sink, it's a much shorter time, with a proper thaw running about 30 minutes per pound. So, if you've got a 12-pound bird, you're looking at 6 hours to thaw.

Considerations

The bird will keep for up to two days when thawed in the fridge. Both the sink and microwave methods require immediate preparation.

Warning

Thawing a bird in the sink does have a potential and fairly large drawback---bacteria growth. This, of course, is staved by changing the water every 30 minutes, but the possibility still exists.

Identification

After all is said and done, the best method to thaw your turkey is really in the fridge---you needn't check the bird as it thaws, you needn't use it right away, you needn't worry about any health implications and you can even refreeze it.