How long does it take to thaw a turkey?

According to the University of Illinois, the average weight of a turkey purchased at Thanksgiving is 15 pounds. A 15-pound turkey usually has about 70 percent white meat and 30 percent dark meat. ^[1]https://web.extension.illinois.edu/turkey/turkey_facts.cfm

There is a simple calculation you can use to calculate the time. According to the USDA, the general rule for defrosting a turkey in the fridge is as follows: Allow for at least 24 hours for every four to five pounds. (FYI: This is specific to refrigerators at temperatures 40 degrees and below.) When using this method, place the turkey—still in its original packaging—in a roasting pan or on a rimmed baking sheet in case juices leak as it thaws. ^[2]https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/cooking-tips-tutorials/a37627856/how-long-to-thaw-a-turkey/ So for example budget 3 full days of thawing in the fridge for an average 15-pound turkey (if you choose a bigger one like 20-pound, you need 4 full days). Keep the turkey wrapped, and occasionally check to see if the baking sheet or roasting pan needs to be drained.

The cold water method is a bit quicker if you’re short on time. It takes as little as 30 minutes per pound. That means that 20-pound turkey will be ready to cook in ten hours instead of five days! If you don’t have a few days, there is a shortcut (with a tiny caveat). In order to keep the turkey at a safe temperature, you’ll have to change out the water every 30 minutes. ^[3]https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/how-to-defrost-turkey/

So how long does it take to thaw a turkey? Here is an easy-to-use chart to answer this.