When it comes to such a consequential dish, shopping anxiety is real. Avoiding stressful indecision is as easy as learning the most important factors to consider when buying a turkey, including: what size turkey to buy, whether you’ll want fresh or frozen turkey and the type of turkey that’s right for you. With these decisions made ahead, you can avoid spending any extra time at the jam-packed grocery store.
Wondering how much turkey to buy for your guests? The best rule of thumb is to plan for one pound of turkey per person—and we’re talking the whole, uncooked turkey. So, for 12 people, a 12-pound bird. That’ll give you plenty for the table as well as some leftovers, which are especially nice on Thanksgiving. Turkeys can range in size anywhere from 8 to 24 pounds.
Which Type of Turkey is Right for You? There are many types of turkeys to choose from, and the kind you should select depends on the occasion and your personal preferences.
If you like, talk to your butcher about what types of turkey he recommends for the cooking method and meal you’re planning.
There’s more than one way to thaw a turkey. So no matter if you’ve got days, or you’re scrambling day-of, there’s a way to get it done—while still following food safety practices.
Here are the three ways to thaw a turkey, recommended by the USDA:
There is one way you should never thaw your turkey: Leaving it on the counter at room temperature. By doing this, you’re creating an environment where bacteria can multiply rapidly, leading to food poisoning—an awful ending to a special occasion!
The larger the turkey, the more time it will take to thaw. The timetable below will give you an approximate idea of how far in advance you need to begin the process and includes times for refrigerator thawing and cold water thawing. Remember, if you’re using your microwave to thaw, you’ll need to refer to your owner’s manual where you should be able to find information about minutes per pound.
Check this chart well in advance of turkey day—since it could take up to 5 days to thaw your bird, plus 1 to 2 days of additional time, if you plan to brine. Note, once your turkey is thawed, you should not refreeze it without cooking first.
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Turkey Thawing Chart |
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Turkey Size (weight) |
Approximate Thawing Time in Refrigerator |
Approximate Thawing Time in Cold Water |
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8 to 12 lbs |
1 to 2 days |
4 to 6 hours |
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12 to 16 lbs |
2 to 3 days |
6 to 8 hours |
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16 to 20 lbs |
3 to 4 days |
8 to 10 hours |
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20 to 24 lbs |
4 to 5 days |
10 to 12 hours |
