Turkeys can be kept in the freezer indefinitely. However, cook turkeys within 1 year for the best quality.

Wrap the turkey when thawing it in cold water. Submerge the wrapped turkey in it and change the water every half hour. Changing the water will help to ward off any contaminating bacteria. Allow 30 minutes of thawing time for each pound of turkey, which translates to two to six hours for a 4- to 12-pound turkey.

According to the experts, you should thaw a turkey in a refrigerator set to 40°F or below for about 24 hours for each 4 to 5 pounds. If your bird weighs more than 20 pounds, you should start thawing in the fridge on Friday, Nov. 20.

Fresh turkeys will hold their moisture better than frozen turkeys, bringing out a meaty texture with deeper natural flavors. Frozen turkeys are best when flash-frozen packaged immediately to 0°F. The most important factor in deciphering between a fresh or frozen turkey is the quality of the meat before it is frozen.

No safety issues as long as you thaw it cold. I’d go ahead and try it but cook a backup as well. Make a mole sauce to disguise the first one. It’s fine to bring the bird partway to room temperature before roasting.

Thaw It in the Refrigerator For it to work, however, you’ll need plenty of time: 24 hours of defrosting time for every 4 to 5 pounds of bird. A large turkey, say, 15 to 20 pounds, will need to spend 4 to 5 days in the refrigerator.

The best way to thaw a frozen turkey is to store it in the refrigerator. Fight BAC® advises, you will need to allow 24 hours for each four to five pounds of turkey. So for a 12 pound turkey, it will take about three days in the refrigerator to thaw. And for a 20 pound turkey, that equates to five days!

According to the Department of Agriculture website, a 4- to 12-pound turkey will take one to three days to defrost completely; a 12- to 16-pound turkey will take three to four days; a 16- to 20-pound turkey four to five days and a 20- to 24-pound turkey five to six days.

First, Bring Your Bird to Room Temp Your turkey will cook more evenly and faster if you start it out at room temperature so remove the turkey from the refrigerator 1 hour before roasting. If you plan to stuff your turkey, wait until you’re ready to put it in the oven before putting the stuffing in the turkey.