With Thanksgiving around the corner, preparations should be on their way for those planning on creating the best meal they can. That includes thawing out the turkey. There are three ways to thaw out a ...

Understanding the Context

Avoid Thanksgiving turkey disasters with Butterball's foolproof method for quickly and properly thawing your bird, straight from the poultry pros. Reviewed by Dietitian Mandy Enright, M.S., RDN, RYT ... When thawing frozen food, it's best to plan ahead and thaw in the refrigerator where it will remain at a safe, constant temperature — at 40 °F or below. There are three safe ways to thaw food: in the refrigerator, in cold water, and in the microwave.

Key Insights

You can thaw frozen foods safely in three ways: refrigerator thawing, cold water thawing and microwave thawing. Thawing frozen food in cold water. keep food in the “Danger Zone,” between 40 °F and 140 °F. Bacteria can grow quickly in these temperatures. Thaw meat safely using cold water or a microwave, never on the counter.

Final Thoughts

Cold water thawing is gentle and takes 15-30 minutes per pound. Microwave thawing is quick, but cook meat immediately after. You can store meat in the freezer for up to a year. But what's the safest way to defrost it? Cold water thawing is meant to keep the surface of your food cool enough that bacterial growth stays slow, allowing the food to slowly, safely thaw all the way through. Holidays are stressful enough without worrying over thawing your Thanksgiving turkey.

Timing is everything, and we've got you covered. Depending on the size of your bird, you might need to start ...