CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – If you bought a frozen turkey for your Thanksgiving meal, preparation should start days in advance.

Depending on the size, some turkeys can take days to thaw. If your frozen turkey weighs more than 50 pounds, the Friday before Thanksgiving is the best day to take it out of the freezer and thaw it in the refrigerator before cooking it.

When should you start shopping for Thanksgiving?

How to Defrost a Turkey Safely

Simply taking a turkey out of the freezer and setting it on the counter is NOT a safe way to thaw a Thanksgiving bird. While the inside remains frozen, the outside of the turkey will quickly enter the “danger zone” between 40 and 140°, where foodborne bacteria can multiply rapidly. A turkey can enter this “danger zone” after sitting on the counter for just two hours.

There are three safe ways to thaw a turkey. The following are recommendations from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for thawing your Thanksgiving turkey and preventing foodborne illness.

Thaw in the refrigerator

• Wait about 24 hours for every 5 pounds in a refrigerator set at 104°F or lower

• Place the turkey in a container to prevent juices from dripping onto other items in your refrigerator

• A turkey that is thawed in the refrigerator can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two days before cooking

Refrigerator defrost times

• 4 to 12 pounds – 1 to 3 days

• 12 to 16 pounds – 3 to 4 days

• 16 to 20 pounds – 4 to 5 days

• 20 to 24 pounds – 5 to 6 days

*Make sure you calculate defrosting time based on when you plan to start COOKING your turkey.

Thaw in cold water

• Wait 30 minutes per pound

• Place the turkey in a leak-proof plastic bag to prevent cross-contamination and to keep the turkey from absorbing excess water

• Submerge the wrapped turkey in cold tap water. Change the water every 30 minutes until the turkey is thawed.

• Cook the turkey immediately after thawing

Defrost times for cold water

• 4 to 12 pounds – 2 to 6 hours

• 12 to 16 pounds – 6 to 8 hours

• 16 to 20 pounds – 8 to 10 hours

• 20 to 24 pounds – 10 to 12 hours

Defrost in the microwave

• Follow the instructions on the package of your turkey for defrosting in the microwave

• Cook the turkey immediately after thawing as some parts may cook during the thawing process

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