How long does a turkey take to defrost?

Whether you’re defrosting your turkey for a special Christmas dinner or just fancy a change from chicken or pork for your Sunday roast, turkey is a tasty, healthy meat. Buying frozen or freezing a bird bought out of season can save you money but you need to make sure you’re defrosting properly to avoid putting yourself at risk.

But not to worry, our butchers are here to guide you through properly defrosting a turkey, to make sure there are no delays when cooking a tasty joint.

How to defrost a turkey

The safest and recommended method to defrost a turkey is in a fridge. Never leave a turkey out on a counter, as the density of the bird will let the outside thaw and the inside will remain frozen, letting bacteria multiply and leading to food poisoning.

Your fridge should be between 1 and 4°C, but closer to 4 for defrosting. Remove the turkey from its packaging and place in a large dish at the bottom of the fridge – you may have to remove shelves depending on the size of the bird.

Once fully defrosted and ready to cook, remove from the fridge and fully clean the surfaces with disinfectant.

How long does a turkey take to defrost?

In the fridge at 4°C, it’ll take about 12 hours per kg of turkey. So, if you have a 6kg turkey, it’ll take about 3 days to thaw.

The times can vary, but you can check at the point of purchase or on the packaging for the best guidelines.

How to check if a turkey is defrosted

Check inside the cavity and make sure no ice crystals are remaining. Use a fork or sharp knife to check that there are no frozen parts in the thickest spots of the bird.

Move the legs and wings to make sure they move freely.

If you have a temperature probe, check the internal temperature at the thickest part of the bird. It should be at least 1°C.

How can I quickly defrost a turkey?

If you’re in a pinch, you can defrost a turkey quickly in cold water. You’ll need a large container, big enough for the turkey. Fill with cold water and submerge the bird in its packaging. If the packaging isn’t secure, you could put it in a large ziplock bag.

Change the water every 30 to 60 minutes, disposing of it safely as bacteria can escape from the turkey. It’ll take around 1 hour per 1kg of turkey.

How long does it take to defrost a turkey crown?

Turkey crowns will take a similar time to defrost per kg as a whole bird. It’ll take around 10-12 hours per kg, so for a 3 kg turkey crown, defrost for around 36 hours.

How long does turkey mince take to defrost?

A 500g pack of turkey mince will take between 12 and 24 hours to defrost. Defrost in its packaging on a plate to avoid any leakage. Poke with a fork to check it is entirely defrosted.

How long does a turkey fillet take to defrost

Depending on the size and number of fillets, a standard 500g packet will take around 12 hours in the fridge.

How long can you keep a frozen turkey?

There’s no set time for how long you can keep a frozen turkey but for maximum flavour and texture, a year is a good guideline. For turkey breast and mince, 6 to 9 months is recommended.

If you’re freezing cooked turkey, this will be much less at 3 to 6 months. Just make sure you freeze within a couple of days of cooking in an airtight container.

Can you cook a turkey from frozen?

The majority of turkeys will have to be fully defrosted before cooking. Check the cooking instructions on your specific bird as some may be cooked from frozen, more often turkey crowns.

If you cook a turkey without fully defrosting it, it can cook unevenly, leading to food poisoning.

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