Can You Leave a Turkey Out to Thaw Overnight?

The more you can prep before Thanksgiving, the better. I don’t know what Thanksgiving morning looks like in other households, but mine is hectic—potatoes getting mashed in the slow cooker, intermittent phone calls from relatives, pumpkin pies covering the counter and roasted vegetables waiting for a turn in the oven.

And hopefully, you remembered to thaw that 20-lb. turkey beforehand. There are many ways to get that turkey ready; some might have even decided to leave that turkey out to thaw overnight. Here’s why this method is an absolute no-go.

Can you leave a turkey out to thaw overnight?

You shouldn’t. This might be surprising since many of us have defrosted frozen chicken on the counter at least once, but the answer is a hard “no” when questioning if you should leave that full turkey out to thaw overnight. And for chicken, you’re really not supposed to thaw it out on the counter anyway.

Frozen meat thaws from the outside in. Left to defrost on the counter, the exterior of a turkey will thaw faster than the center, putting areas that reach the USDA “danger zone” temperature (anywhere between 40° and 140°F) at risk for bacteria development.

The two-hour mark is where things start to get pretty dicey. Remember, we’re talking about a 20-lb. turkey, which, if left out, will take hours to thaw completely. If you thaw raw meat at room temperature for two hours or more, it will be subject to rapid bacteria growth.

Is thawing a turkey at room temperature a good idea?

Nope. If you’ve done it and gotten away with it, you’re lucky. But it’s not the method we’d recommend.

The Right Way to Thaw a Turkey

The best way to thaw your frozen turkey is in the refrigerator. It’s not the quickest method, but it is the safest. Plan to let the bird thaw at a consistent temperature under 40° over a few days.

You can also thaw a frozen turkey in water, but remember that the cold water needs to be changed every 30 minutes to maintain a consistently chilled, safe temperature.

Now that you know how to thaw a Thanksgiving turkey, you can shift your attention to the many sides you’ll serve. Here are Thanksgiving cooking tips that will keep things running smoothly!

Every Way to Roast a Turkey for Thanksgiving

1 / 38

Taste of Home

Herb-Glazed TurkeyHoney and corn syrup blend with savory herbs and seasonings to give my Thanksgiving turkey recipe a slightly sweet flavor. My tried-and-true herb turkey recipe never fails to win compliments. —Charlene Melenka, Vegreville, Alberta

Go to Recipe

Herb-Brined Turkey Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Herb-Brined TurkeyFor an impressive main course, look here. The moist, flavorful bird will have guests counting the minutes until carving time. — Scott Rugh, Portland, Oregon

Go to Recipe

Grilled Turkey DrumsticksTry something different this Thanksgiving and learn how to grill turkey drumsticks! These smoky, tender turkey drumsticks are easy to make, free up space in the oven and cook in a fraction of the time needed for a whole turkey. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Go to Recipe

Classic Stuffed TurkeyFor years, my mother has made this moist stuffed Thanksgiving turkey recipe. Now, I do the same thing. The turkey stuffing nicely compliments the tender, juicy slices of oven-roasted turkey. —Kathi Graham, Naperville, Illinois

Go to Recipe

Smoked TurkeyMouths will water when you bring this flavorful smoked turkey recipe to the table. Add sprigs of your favorite herbs like thyme, sage or rosemary to the brine for extra flavor. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Go to Recipe

Turkey Leg Pot RoastWell-seasoned turkey legs and tender veggies make an ideal dinner for a crisp fall day. This Thanksgiving turkey recipe couldn't be easier! —Rick and Vegas Pearson, Cadillac, Michigan

Go to Recipe

Romano Basil Turkey BreastGuests will be impressed when you slice this golden, grilled turkey breast, dressed up with a flavorful layer of basil and cheese under the skin. —Darlene Markham, Rochester, New York

Go to Recipe

Honey-Glazed TurkeyEven during the holidays, my husband wouldn't eat turkey—until I tried this recipe. Now he loves it! The sweet and spicy turkey glaze gives the bird a wonderful flavor. —Mary Smolka, Spring Grove, Illinois

Go to Recipe

Brined Grilled Turkey Breast Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Brined Grilled Turkey BreastYou'll want to give thanks for this mouthwatering Thanksgiving turkey recipe! A hint of spice makes this one of our best turkey recipes ever. —Tina Mirilovich, Johnstown, Pennsylvania

Go to Recipe

Taste of Home

BBQ TurkeyI don't remember where my sister found this BBQ turkey recipe, but it quickly became a family favorite. From the zesty, flavorful sauce and crispy skin to the juicy and tender meat, it's the best Thanksgiving turkey I've ever tried. —Valerie Delano, Cascade, Montana

Go to Recipe

Bacon-Wrapped TurkeyEverything’s better with bacon, including turkey! This impressive Thanksgiving turkey recipe gets a blanket of bacon, which not only adds flavor but helps keep the turkey juicy. The best part? It’s easier than it looks! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Go to Recipe

Turkey and Root Veggie Sheet-Pan DinnerMy family loves this turkey sheet-pan dinner. I used ingredients I had on hand, including bacon, which lends a nice smoky flavor. It's so quick and easy to prepare. —Susan Bickta, Kutztown, Pennsylvania

Go to Recipe

Classic Cheesecloth TurkeyThis cheesecloth turkey uses a classic method, wine-soaked cheesecloth, to give you the juiciest turkey and most flavorful gravy you've ever tasted! Pair with your favorite sides for a complete meal. —Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Go to Recipe

Spicy Turkey TenderloinHere's a full-flavored Thanksgiving turkey recipe that will really wake up your taste buds.

Go to Recipe

Taste of Home

Turkey in Cream SauceI've been relying on this recipe for tender turkey since I first moved out on my own years ago. I serve it whenever I invite new guests to the house, and I'm constantly writing out the recipe. —Kathy-Jo Winterbottom, Pottstown, Pennsylvania

Go to Recipe

Lemon-Herb Roasted TurkeyLemon and thyme are the predominant flavors in this golden, tender and moist turkey that has just six ingredients. It's so easy, we guarantee success! —Felicia Smith, Georgetown, Texas

Go to Recipe

Grilled Huli Huli Turkey Drumsticks Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Grilled Huli Huli Turkey DrumsticksI'm never one to do things traditionally, so when it came time to hosting Thanksgiving, I went in a completely tropical direction. Borrowing my favorite Hawaiian chicken recipe, I substituted turkey legs and have never looked back. —Jacyn Siebert, San Francisco, California

Go to Recipe

TMB Studio

How to Deep-Fry a TurkeyA deep-fried turkey means tender, juicy meat that's ready in a fraction of the time. Follow our step-by-step guide to learn how to deep-fry a turkey.

Go to Recipe

Apple & Herb Roasted Turkey Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Apple & Herb Roasted TurkeyMy daughter loves to help me make this moist apple turkey. Her job is to hand Mommy the ingredients—if she doesn't eat them first! —Kimberly Jackson, Gay, Georgia

Go to Recipe

Herbed Roast Turkey BreastWhen learning how to cook turkey breast for my first formal dinner party as a newlywed, I came across this particular Thanksgiving turkey recipe. It was such a success that this turkey breast recipe has become a standby on all my entertaining menus. —Lisa Mahon Fluegeman, Cincinnati, Ohio

Go to Recipe

Turkey Breast Tenderloins with Raspberry SauceSweet and tangy raspberry sauce is a perfect match for this Thanksgiving turkey recipe. In fact, this sauce is so good, you’ll be tempted to eat it with a spoon. —Deirdre Cox, Kansas City, Missouri

Go to Recipe

Slow-Cooker Turkey BreastTry this wonderfully flavored, easy-to-fix slow-cooker turkey breast when you're craving something delicious. It makes a great holiday dish for smaller families, too. —Maria Juco, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Go to Recipe

Photo: Taste of Home

Roasted Sage Turkey with Vegetable GravyThere’s no prep like home-style when roasting the big bird. Instead of sage stuffing with turkey, fill this bird with fresh sage and thyme sprigs for the same delicious flavors. —Beth Jacobson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Go to Recipe

Pressure-Cooker Turkey with Berry CompoteThis delicious Thanksgiving turkey recipe gives you a way to get all that yummy turkey flavor without heating up the house, and the berries make the perfect summer sauce. For a browner turkey, just broil it for a few minutes before serving. —Margaret Bracher, Robertsdale, Alabama

Go to Recipe

Taste of Home

Turkey Cutlets with Pan GravyUsing cutlets or any boneless meat speeds up cooking time for this quick entree. You can use thin boneless, skinless chicken breast as well. —Margaret Wilson, Sun City, California

Go to Recipe

Taste of Home

Maple-Sage Brined TurkeyWhen the leaves start turning, it’s time for Thanksgiving turkey. We use maple-sage brine to help brown the bird and make the meat incredibly juicy. —Kim Forni, Laconia, New Hampshire

Go to Recipe

Happy Orange TurkeyHere’s the perfect centerpiece for your Thanksgiving feast. Champagne and oranges flavor this special bird that will become one of your favorite turkey recipes ever. —Tara Baier, Menomonie, Wisconsin

Go to Recipe

Seasoned Roast TurkeyRubbing the skin with melted butter keeps this simply seasoned turkey moist and tender. —Nancy Reichert, Thomasville, Georgia

Go to Recipe

Make-Ahead Turkey and GravyEase the holiday time crunch with a make-ahead Thanksgiving turkey recipe that's ready to serve when you are. It's a great choice for potlucks, too. —Marie Parker, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Go to Recipe

Marinated Thanksgiving TurkeyMy family enjoys this Thanksgiving turkey because it cooks up tender, tasty and golden brown. Build up flavor by marinating the meat, then grill it to add a tempting barbecued flavor. —Ken Churches, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Go to Recipe

Maple-Glazed Turkey Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Maple-Glazed TurkeyI prepare turkey with a taste of Canada in mind. The sweet maple flavor comes through even in the breast meat. You may start to notice it's caramelized color after about 2 hours. That's when I cover it loosely with foil while it finishes cooking. The maple-glazed turkey will stay tender and juicy. —Suzanne Anctil, West Vancouver, British Columbia

Go to Recipe

TMB Studio

Dry-Brined Turkey To wet brine a turkey the traditional way, you need a container that’s large enough to hold five gallons of liquid. However, a dry brine turkey uses no water, so it takes up less space and requires much less fuss. Go to Recipe

TMB Studio

Pressure-Cooker Italian Turkey Breast This Thanksgiving turkey recipe makes some of the most succulent bird I've ever eaten. High in lean protein, it’s a smart entree for a special occasion. —Jessica Kunz, Springfield, Illinois Go to Recipe