Defrosting the turkey?

[Rachel Perlow]

When should you defrost the frozen turkey, if you're using a frozen turkey, for Thanksgiving? I put mine in the fridge on Friday night. Is that too early? If people haven't yet, is it too late?

[Arthur Schwartz]

When should you defrost the frozen turkey, if you're using a frozen turkey, for Thanksgiving? I put mine in the fridge on Friday night. Is that too early? If people haven't yet, is it too late?

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The rule of thumb is that you need 24 hours defrosting time in the refrigerator for every 5 pounds of turkey. So, unless you are cooking a 25 to 30 pound turkey, you could have held off defrosting until Saturday. It doesn't matter. Never defrost a turkey at room temperature, however. If you find yourself in a real bind, like you forgot to buy the turkey until the night before, you can defrost it in a sink full of cool -- not warm -- water. or under running water. Like that it will take about a half hour a pound. That translates to a minimum 3 hours for a measly 12-pounder.