# Frozen Turkeys Never Thaw In Refrigerators. Period. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 27, 2008, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-turkeys-never-thaw-in-refrigerators-period/474677 "2008-11-27T07:03:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2008, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-turkeys-never-thaw-in-refrigerators-period/474677/1 "2008-11-27T07:03:10Z")
I have been buying frozen turkeys for Thanksgiving for ages, and I don’t care if I buy the damn things in August, they never thaw in a fridge before Thanksgiving, no matter what those stupid instructions say. I always wind up putting it in the sink in cold water for a few hours. For instance, this year we bought the 26 pound turkey last Saturday morning. Brought it home and immediately put it in the refrigerator…and today, that thing was still hard as a bowling ball. It is currently floating in cold water in the sink. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2008, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-turkeys-never-thaw-in-refrigerators-period/474677/2 "2008-11-27T21:56:07Z")
I have to agree with you on this. I think that fridges today are too well insulated and also tend to be somewhat packed with food, so if anything, the frozen turkey helps make the other food colder all around… Anyway, it’s never worked for me either. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2008, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-turkeys-never-thaw-in-refrigerators-period/474677/3 "2008-11-27T21:58:52Z")
I put mine in a pan of water yesterday and didn’t return it to the fridge till I was able to extract the innards and flush out the cavity. Interestingly enough, the ring of polish sausage I moved from the freezer to the fridge thawed in less than 24 hours. I’m not sure I understand… ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2008, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-turkeys-never-thaw-in-refrigerators-period/474677/4 "2008-11-27T22:19:03Z")
I had an 18 pounder that stayed in the chest freezer until Monday evening, when it was moved to an ice chest with a couple layers of brown bags in the bottom. When I pulled it out today, it was just thawed with the main joints still a bit stiff and a big chunk of ice in the cavity. Ice chests are the way to go! ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2008, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-turkeys-never-thaw-in-refrigerators-period/474677/5 "2008-11-27T22:26:51Z")
Yep, ice chest all the way! My turkey was nicely thawed after sitting in the ice chest for two days wrapped in brown paper bags. **SmartiePants** , it’s like we’re twins! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Gwyen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/858c86/32.png) [@Gwyen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gwyen)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2008, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-turkeys-never-thaw-in-refrigerators-period/474677/6 "2008-11-27T23:00:18Z")
We had the same problem today. I had to thaw it before I could remove the innards because they were frozen to the rest of the turkey. It has been in the fridge since Saturday. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2008, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-turkeys-never-thaw-in-refrigerators-period/474677/7 "2008-11-27T23:37:51Z")
I once took a turkey in a cooler from WDC to west Africa. I filled the voids with packages of bacon, sausage, etc. It arrived still frozen solid as a cannonball. The overweight charges were about $250, so it was an expensive Thanksgiving, but it was worth it. ---
**Author:** ![Hockey\_Monkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a183cd/32.png) [@Hockey\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hockey_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2008, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-turkeys-never-thaw-in-refrigerators-period/474677/8 "2008-11-27T23:52:07Z")
We bought a fresh never frozen one this year. No regrets. ---
**Author:** ![Palo\_Verde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/65b543/32.png) [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2008, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-turkeys-never-thaw-in-refrigerators-period/474677/9 "2008-11-28T00:00:27Z")
I found an amazing recipe last year for cooking a turkey from frozen. It works really well, especially since the breast is the last part to thaw and so cooks slower than the rest. It keeps the breast from being overdone and dry. And you don’t have to worry about thawing! ---
**Author:** ![phil417](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/6bbea6/32.png) [@phil417](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phil417)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2008, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-turkeys-never-thaw-in-refrigerators-period/474677/10 "2008-11-28T00:12:10Z")
Last night at work, my coworker, a Rachael Ray fan, suggested that I immerse the frozen turkey in cold water, bottom to top. After working 9 hours and coming home to a frozen turkey, I followed her suggestion. Today I baked my 16# turkey for five hours at 325 degrees. The turkey was a little dry, but still tasty. Whatever works, eh? Love, Phil ---
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2008, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-turkeys-never-thaw-in-refrigerators-period/474677/11 "2008-11-28T01:34:41Z")
This is as good a time as any to recommend the Vinyl Cafe story “[Dave cooks the Turkey](http://www.amazon.ca/Dave-Cooks-Turkey-Stuart-Mclean/dp/0670064459)”. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2008, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-turkeys-never-thaw-in-refrigerators-period/474677/12 "2008-11-28T01:38:32Z")
> [@autz](#): > > I found an amazing recipe last year for cooking a turkey from frozen. It works really well, especially since the breast is the last part to thaw and so cooks slower than the rest. It keeps the breast from being overdone and dry. > > And you don’t have to worry about thawing! So…you buy a frozen turkey _without_ giblets, right? ---
**Author:** ![Qwisp](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qwisp/32/397_2.png) [@Qwisp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qwisp)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2008, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-turkeys-never-thaw-in-refrigerators-period/474677/13 "2008-11-28T01:44:10Z")
I bought my frozen 22lb bird a week ago Friday, put it in the fridge immediately, only the inside cavity was slightly frozen. I have learned it takes at least a week to thaw a big bird. ---
**Author:** ![Savannah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Savannah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Savannah)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2008, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-turkeys-never-thaw-in-refrigerators-period/474677/14 "2008-11-28T02:16:59Z")
> [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](#): > > This is as good a time as any to recommend the Vinyl Cafe story “[Dave cooks the Turkey](http://www.amazon.ca/Dave-Cooks-Turkey-Stuart-Mclean/dp/0670064459)”. Funniest thing ever. The first time I heard that–and it really has to be \*heard \*in McLean’s wonderful style–I laughed so hard I annoyed neighbours on both sides of us. Dave Cooks the Turkey is a Christmas classic for me now. You may now return to your US Thanksgiving thread. ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2008, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-turkeys-never-thaw-in-refrigerators-period/474677/15 "2008-11-28T02:44:24Z")
> [@phil417](#): > > Last night at work, my coworker, a Rachael Ray fan, suggested that I immerse the frozen turkey in cold water, bottom to top. After working 9 hours and coming home to a frozen turkey, I followed her suggestion. > > Today I baked my 16# turkey for five hours at 325 degrees. The turkey was a little dry, but still tasty. > > Whatever works, eh? > > Love, Phil 325 is the wrong temperature to roast a whole turkey. The correct temperature is 425. Crank that oven up. You’ll roast the bird in half the time and it won’t be dry. This is my mission, to convert everyone to high roast for turkey. ---
**Author:** ![Tamex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ccd318/32.png) [@Tamex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamex)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2008, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-turkeys-never-thaw-in-refrigerators-period/474677/16 "2008-11-28T03:55:08Z")
I put my 14 lb. turkey in the fridge on Sunday and it did thaw by Wednesday night (that’s when we rubbed brown sugar and salt all over it before we smoked it today). There were a few ice crystals way inside, so I did run it under a little bit of running water. I also needed to rinse off where the “gravy packet” exploded all over the bird. So, smaller bird or 30-year-old fridge? ---
**Author:** ![Santo\_Rugger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@Santo\_Rugger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Santo_Rugger)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2008, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-turkeys-never-thaw-in-refrigerators-period/474677/17 "2008-11-28T05:07:52Z")
My roommate and I grilled a turkey a couple weeks ago. We thawed it for a couple days in the fridge; just enough so we could pry the legs apart. After we took all the giblets out, we put it in a five gallon pot with two gallons of water, two cups of salt, and two cups of brown sugar. We kept it in the brine for a couple days. Not sure how hot the grill was, but it took about two and a half hours. I’ve never had a turkey that moist, it was even more moist than the fried turkeys I’ve made in the past. ---
**Author:** ![Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cab0a1/32.png) [@Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Man_With_a_Cat)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2008, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-turkeys-never-thaw-in-refrigerators-period/474677/18 "2008-11-28T05:18:42Z")
> [@Santo\_Rugger](#): > > …for a couple days in the fridge; just enough so we could pry the legs apart. Sounds a lot like my prom date junior year. ---
**Author:** ![Nanoda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Nanoda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nanoda)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2008, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-turkeys-never-thaw-in-refrigerators-period/474677/19 "2008-11-28T13:15:06Z")
> [@Lemur866](#): > > 325 is the wrong temperature to roast a whole turkey. The correct temperature is 425. Crank that oven up. You’ll roast the bird in half the time and it won’t be dry. This is my mission, to convert everyone to high roast for turkey. > [@Santo\_Rugger](#): > > After we took all the giblets out, we put it in a five gallon pot with two gallons of water, two cups of salt, and two cups of brown sugar. We kept it in the brine for a couple days. Not sure how hot the grill was, but it took about two and a half hours. Happy U.S. Thanksgiving to everyone! I usually go over to my parents place, but a few years ago they were on holiday so I used the soak-in-brine, roast-on-high method (perhaps from a recipe found here, actually). I have to agree that it made for decidedly non-dry results, and was super easy even for a guy who does things at the last minute and doesn’t often advance beyond the toaster oven at dinner time. ---
**Author:** ![Santo\_Rugger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@Santo\_Rugger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Santo_Rugger)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2008, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-turkeys-never-thaw-in-refrigerators-period/474677/20 "2008-11-28T18:03:44Z")
> [@Mr Bus Guy](#): > > Sounds a lot like my prom date junior year. Your junior prom date was a turkey?! :eek: 😛 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frozen-turkeys-never-thaw-in-refrigerators-period/474677.md?page=2)