Here's everything you need to know about how not to thaw your bird before Thanksgiving.
Can You Leave a Turkey Out to Thaw Overnight?
Updated on Sep. 26, 2024
The more you can prep before Thanksgiving, the better. I don’t know what Thanksgiving morning looks like in other households, but mine is hectic—potatoes getting mashed in the slow cooker, intermittent phone calls from relatives, pumpkin pies covering the counter and roasted vegetables waiting for a turn in the oven.
And hopefully, you remembered to thaw that 20-lb. turkey beforehand. There are many ways to get that turkey ready; some might have even decided to leave that turkey out to thaw overnight. Here’s why this method is an absolute no-go.
Can you leave a turkey out to thaw overnight?
You shouldn’t. This might be surprising since many of us have defrosted frozen chicken on the counter at least once, but the answer is a hard “no” when questioning if you should leave that full turkey out to thaw overnight. And for chicken, you’re really not supposed to thaw it out on the counter anyway.
Frozen meat thaws from the outside in. Left to defrost on the counter, the exterior of a turkey will thaw faster than the center, putting areas that reach the USDA “danger zone” temperature (anywhere between 40° and 140°F) at risk for bacteria development.
The two-hour mark is where things start to get pretty dicey. Remember, we’re talking about a 20-lb. turkey, which, if left out, will take hours to thaw completely. If you thaw raw meat at room temperature for two hours or more, it will be subject to rapid bacteria growth.
Is thawing a turkey at room temperature a good idea?
Nope. If you’ve done it and gotten away with it, you’re lucky. But it’s not the method we’d recommend.
The Right Way to Thaw a Turkey
The best way to thaw your frozen turkey is in the refrigerator. It’s not the quickest method, but it is the safest. Plan to let the bird thaw at a consistent temperature under 40° over a few days.
You can also thaw a frozen turkey in water, but remember that the cold water needs to be changed every 30 minutes to maintain a consistently chilled, safe temperature.
Now that you know how to thaw a Thanksgiving turkey, you can shift your attention to the many sides you’ll serve. Here are Thanksgiving cooking tips that will keep things running smoothly!
Every Way to Roast a Turkey for Thanksgiving
Herb-Glazed TurkeyHoney and corn syrup blend with savory herbs and seasonings to give my Thanksgiving turkey recipe a slightly sweet flavor. My tried-and-true herb turkey recipe never fails to win compliments. —Charlene Melenka, Vegreville, Alberta
Turkey BrineSay goodbye to dry, flavorless turkey. This turkey brine recipe creates perfectly seasoned turkey with tender, juicy meat.
Classic Stuffed TurkeyFor years, my mother has made this moist stuffed Thanksgiving turkey recipe. Now, I do the same thing. The turkey stuffing nicely compliments the tender, juicy slices of oven-roasted turkey. —Kathi Graham, Naperville, Illinois
Smoked TurkeyOur smoked turkey recipe uses a brine to keep the bird moist, plus a homemade dry rub to add incredible flavor. And it doesn't require a smoker or pellet grill to pull it off! Learn how to smoke a turkey using any type of grill.
Romano Basil Turkey BreastGuests will be impressed when you slice this golden, grilled turkey breast, dressed up with a flavorful layer of basil and cheese under the skin. —Darlene Markham, Rochester, New York
Honey-Glazed TurkeyDiscover a honey-glazed turkey recipe that ensures a mouthwatering bird caramelized to perfection under a rich, sweet honey glaze. Including a side of flavorful stuffing, this recipe is perfect to keep on hand for holidays and special gatherings.
Brined Grilled Turkey BreastYou'll want to give thanks for this mouthwatering Thanksgiving turkey recipe! A hint of spice makes this one of our best turkey recipes ever. —Tina Mirilovich, Johnstown, Pennsylvania
BBQ TurkeyI don't remember where my sister found this BBQ turkey recipe, but it quickly became a family favorite. From the zesty, flavorful sauce and crispy skin to the juicy and tender meat, it's the best Thanksgiving turkey I've ever tried. —Valerie Delano, Cascade, Montana
Bacon-Wrapped TurkeyEverything’s better with bacon, including turkey! This impressive Thanksgiving turkey recipe gets a blanket of bacon, which not only adds flavor but helps keep the turkey juicy. The best part? It’s easier than it looks! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Turkey and Root Veggie Sheet-Pan DinnerMy family loves turkey tenderloin so I wanted to try using it in a sheet-pan supper. The vegetables were tender and moist and the turkey was juicy. Use any of you favorite vegetables. You can add turnips to the mix for a bit of sweetness. —Susan Bickta, Kutztown, Pennsylvania
Cheesecloth TurkeyCheesecloth turkey calls for draping the lightweight fabric over your bird, which will help keep the wine and drippings in place on the skin as you baste. The end result is a beautiful, deeply flavored turkey for your holiday table.
Spicy Turkey TenderloinHere's a full-flavored Thanksgiving turkey recipe that will really wake up your taste buds.
Turkey in Cream SauceI've been relying on this recipe for tender turkey since I first moved out on my own years ago. I serve it whenever I invite new guests to the house, and I'm constantly writing out the recipe. —Kathy-Jo Winterbottom, Pottstown, Pennsylvania
Lemon-Herb Roasted TurkeyLemon and thyme are the predominant flavors in this golden, tender and moist turkey that has just six ingredients. It's so easy, we guarantee success! —Felicia Smith, Georgetown, Texas
Grilled Huli Huli Turkey DrumsticksI'm never one to do things traditionally, so when it came time to hosting Thanksgiving, I went in a completely tropical direction. Borrowing my favorite Hawaiian chicken recipe, I used turkey legs instead and never looked back. —Jacyn Siebert, San Francisco, California
How to Deep-Fry a TurkeyA deep-fried turkey means tender, juicy meat that's ready in a fraction of the time. Follow our step-by-step guide to learn how to deep-fry a turkey.
Apple & Herb Roasted TurkeyMy daughter loves to help me make this moist apple turkey. Her job is to hand Mommy the ingredients—if she doesn't eat them first! —Kimberly Jackson, Gay, Georgia
Herbed Roast Turkey BreastWhen learning how to cook turkey breast for my first formal dinner party as a newlywed, I came across this particular Thanksgiving turkey recipe. It was such a success that this turkey breast recipe has become a standby on all my entertaining menus. —Lisa Mahon Fluegeman, Cincinnati, Ohio
Turkey Breast Tenderloins with Raspberry SauceSweet and tangy raspberry sauce is a perfect match for this Thanksgiving turkey recipe. In fact, this sauce is so good, you’ll be tempted to eat it with a spoon. —Deirdre Cox, Kansas City, Missouri
Slow-Cooker Turkey BreastMake this Thanksgiving dinner the easiest ever with our slow-cooker turkey breast recipe.
Roasted Sage Turkey with Vegetable GravyThere’s no prep like home-style when roasting the big bird. Instead of sage stuffing with turkey, fill this bird with fresh sage and thyme sprigs for the same delicious flavors. —Beth Jacobson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Turkey CutletsThese turkey cutlets are full of flavor and very easy to cook. If you've never made gravy before, this is an excellent recipe to try.
Maple-Sage Brined TurkeyWhen the leaves start turning, it’s time for Thanksgiving turkey. We use maple-sage brine to help brown the bird and make the meat incredibly juicy. —Kim Forni, Laconia, New Hampshire
Orange TurkeyPack your Thanksgiving turkey with juicy orange slices and fragrant herbs, rub butter under the skin and pour the champagne for a decadent holiday roast that erupts with flavor from the bag.
Seasoned Roast TurkeyRubbing the skin with melted butter keeps this simply seasoned turkey moist and tender. —Nancy Reichert, Thomasville, Georgia
Make-Ahead Turkey and GravyEase the holiday time crunch with a make-ahead Thanksgiving turkey recipe that's ready to serve when you are. It's a great choice for potlucks, too. —Marie Parker, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
How to Grill a TurkeyIt is not the most common way to cook Thanksgiving dinner, but once you learn how to grill a turkey, you will never want to make the bird any other way.
Maple-Glazed TurkeyI prepare turkey with a taste of Canada in mind. The sweet maple flavor comes through even in the breast meat. You may start to notice it's caramelized color after about 2 hours. That's when I cover it loosely with foil while it finishes cooking. The maple-glazed turkey will stay tender and juicy. —Suzanne Anctil, West Vancouver, British Columbia
How to Cook the Juiciest Instant Pot Turkey Breast EverThis step-by-step guide will walk you through how to make Instant Pot turkey breast that's crisp, juicy and tender.
