Turkey Food Safety - How to Thaw and Roast a Turkey

Oct 13, 2026

Upload by Damian

Guidance on safe handling, thawing, and roasting of turkey to prevent food-borne illness. Emphasizes keeping perishable poultry refrigerated and limiting time out of the refrigerator, washing hands and surfaces after contact with raw turkey, and using a chlorine bleach sanitizing solution. Provides thawing methods in the refrigerator, cold water, and microwave with timing rules, then instructs on roasting steps, cooking chart durations, and confirming doneness at a minimum internal temperature of 165°F.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryForms

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time2 min

AccessFree to download

Food safety handling

Thawing methods

Roasting and doneness

yae FN/Food Safety/2007-01pr By Darlene Christensen, USU ExtensionAgent Food Safety · Perishable foods, such as poultry, should not be out of the refrigerator more than 2 hours. Do NOT leave perishable foods out all day for “grazing”. Incidents of food borne illness increase during the Holiday season. Remember that young children, the elderly, and pregnant women are the most at-risk for food borne illness. · Wash hands, utensils, sink and anything else that has been in contact with the raw turkey with soap and warm water. · You can also sanitize utensils, sink, countertops, etc. with a chlorine bleach solution of 2 Tbsp per gallon of water. For more information on food preparation and food safety, contact your local Utah State University Extension office. FOOD$ENSE [extension.usu.edu](extension.usu.edu) Utah State University Cooperative Extension is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution. So, you have this frozen turkey, now what do you do with it? There are a few ways to safely thaw your turkey. Make sure to take enough time to completely thaw it. Thawing time in the refrigerator (40ºF or below) Approximately 24 hours per 5 pounds (whole turkey). After thawing keep turkey refrigerated only for 1-2 days. Thawing Time in Cold Water Approximately 30 minutes per pound (whole turkey). Change water every 30 minutes to maintain cold temperature. Cook immediately. Thawing in the Microwave Microwave thawing is safe if the turkey is not too large for the oven. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for the size turkey that will fit into your oven, the minutes per pound, and the power level for thawing. Cook immediately after thawing. Now it’s time to roast the turkey. 1. Preheat oven temperature to no lower than 325ºF. 2. Place turkey breast-side up on a rack in shallow roasting pan. 3. If you choose to stuff your turkey, fill the cavity loosely. Cook the turkey immediately. 4. Use the following chart for the time to cook your turkey. The times are for thawed turkey in an oven at 325ºF. The times are approximate. Pounds Unstuffed Stuffed 8-12 lbs 2 3/4-3 hrs 3-3 1/2 hrs 12-14 lbs 3-3 3/4 hrs 4-4 1/4 hrs 14-18 lbs 3 3/4-4 1/4 hrs 4 1/4-4 3/4 hrs 18-20 lbs 4 1/4-4 1/2 hrs 4 1/4-4 3/4 hrs 20-24 lbs 4 1/2-5 hrs 4 3/4-5 1/4 hrs 5. Test the thickest part of the thigh with a meat thermometer to see that it reaches a minimum of 165ºF. If you do not have a meat thermometer, make sure that the pop-up thermometer on the turkey has popped up.

FAQs

How long can perishable foods like turkey stay out of the refrigerator?

Perishable foods such as poultry should not be out of the refrigerator more than 2 hours.

What is the recommended thawing time if thawing a whole turkey in cold water?

Allow approximately 30 minutes per pound, and change the water every 30 minutes to maintain a cold temperature, then cook immediately.

How do you know when the roasted turkey is done?

Test the thickest part of the thigh with a meat thermometer; it must reach a minimum of 165°F (or confirm the turkey’s pop-up thermometer has popped up).

Oct 13, 2026

Upload by Damian