How to Rapidly Defrost a Turkey

If your dinner plans involve roasting a frozen turkey, it's critical that the turkey be allowed to thaw completely before cooking. Taking shortcuts is risky and may allow growth of bacteria present on the turkey before the bird was frozen. Attempts to thaw the turkey at temperatures between 40 and 140 degrees are especially dangerous, because bacteria multiplies rapidly in that temperature range. Although thawing a turkey in the refrigerator is the safest method, you can plan ahead and use a relatively quick -- but safe -- alternative method to ensure that your turkey thaws safely.

Tips and Warnings

• You can safely use a combination of two techniques. If you attempt to thaw your turkey in the refrigerator but you started too late and your turkey isn't completely thawed, complete the thawing process in cold water. You may be able to thaw your turkey safely in the microwave, but microwave ovens vary. To determine if this is a safe option, refer to the manufacturer's instructions regarding the microwave power level and defrosting time. Post a note in a prominent place to remind you when to begin thawing your frozen turkey. Note the starting date and time. This prevents the need to thaw a turkey with fast methods that may be unsafe.
• Prestuffed turkeys do not require thawing and must be cooked frozen. Follow the package directions exactly when cooking a prestuffed turkey.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic bag, if needed
• Pan

References

• University of Hawaii Cooperative Extension Service: Turkey 101: Thawing, Stuffing, Roasting and Storing
• University of Delaware Cooperative Extension; Let's Talk Turkey; Marguerite Krackhardt; March 1997