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Defrosting times by weight
In a fridge at 4°C, allow about 10 to 12 hours per kg. To be safe, the dates below use the longer time, round up to whole days and add a spare day, because a fridge packed for Christmas can thaw more slowly. Move it in on the morning of the date shown and it should be ready with time to spare.
| Turkey weight | Time in the fridge | Move it to the fridge by |
|---|---|---|
| 3 kg | 30 to 36 hours | 22 December |
| 3.5 kg | 35 to 42 hours | 22 December |
| 4 kg | 40 to 48 hours | 22 December |
| 4.5 kg | 45 to 54 hours | 21 December |
| 5 kg | 50 to 60 hours | 21 December |
| 5.5 kg | 55 to 66 hours | 21 December |
| 6 kg | 60 to 72 hours | 21 December |
| 6.5 kg | 65 to 78 hours | 20 December |
| 7 kg | 70 to 84 hours | 20 December |
| 7.5 kg | 75 to 90 hours | 20 December |
| 8 kg | 80 to 96 hours | 20 December |
| 8.5 kg | 85 to 102 hours | 19 December |
| 9 kg | 90 to 108 hours | 19 December |
| 9.5 kg | 95 to 114 hours | 19 December |
| 10 kg | 100 to 120 hours | 19 December |
Check the packaging first: it may give its own defrosting time. Some turkeys can be cooked from frozen, but only if the packaging says so.
How to defrost a turkey safely
- Keep it covered, in a large dish, on the bottom shelf of the fridge, where it won't touch other food. The dish catches the liquid that comes out as it thaws.
- Pour that liquid away regularly, taking care not to splash it on worktops, dishes or cloths. Clean the sink and any surfaces it touches with hot, soapy water afterwards.
- Take out the giblets and neck as soon as you can. It helps the turkey thaw faster.
- Never wash your turkey. It can spread harmful germs around your sink and kitchen. Thorough cooking is the only way to kill them.
How to tell it's fully defrosted
There should be no ice crystals inside the cavity, and a fork should go easily into the thickest parts. Always check before cooking: if it's still partly frozen, the normal cooking times won't be long enough to cook it all the way through.
Next: cooking it
See how long to cook a turkey for times by weight and how to check it's cooked.