How to Thaw a Turkey Safely

Once your turkey is thawed it can be stored in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days before cooking so be sure you plan ahead for thawing your turkey so that it is completely thawed before cooking. You can cook a partially thawed turkey but it may greatly affect the cooking time, making it hard to plan what time it will actually be done. You can use the cold water method of thawing but because it is not as safe as thawing in the refrigerator, it is not recommended. A turkey should never be thawed at room temperature. See our information on Thawing Turkey for more details on how to thaw a turkey and the safety concerns you should be aware of.