How long to thaw a turkey, chicken or roast in the fridge
Last checked
USDA lists these days for thawing food in the fridge. These are estimates for food stored as described.
| Food | Weight | Thaw in the fridge | After thawing, in the fridge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole turkey | 4 to 12 pounds | 1 to 3 days | 1 or 2 days |
| Whole turkey | 12 to 16 pounds | 3 to 4 days | 1 or 2 days |
| Whole turkey | 16 to 20 pounds | 4 to 5 days | 1 or 2 days |
| Whole turkey | 20 to 24 pounds | 5 to 6 days | 1 or 2 days |
| Whole chicken | A large item, any weight | At least 1 day for every 5 pounds | 1 or 2 days |
| Roast (beef, pork or lamb) | A large item, any weight | At least 1 day for every 5 pounds | 3 to 5 days |
| Ground meat | About 1 pound | A full day | 1 or 2 days |
| Boneless chicken breasts | About 1 pound | A full day | 1 or 2 days |
Source: USDA FSIS, Turkey Basics and The Big Thaw
Let the app plan the thaw
Pantry Assistant does this for you: it moves frozen food to the fridge before a planned dinner.
Where these numbers come from
- USDA FSIS, Turkey Basics: Safe Thawing. Page last updated October 24, 2023; read on October 26, 2026 from an Internet Archive capture 20260923031429.
- USDA FSIS, The Big Thaw: Safe Defrosting Methods. Page last updated June 15, 2013; read on October 26, 2026 from an Internet Archive capture 20260103144251.