Free tool
Thaw time calculator
Choose what you are thawing and enter its weight. Times follow USDA FSIS: roughly 24 hours per 5 lb in the fridge, and 30 minutes per pound in cold water.
Thawing times will show here.
Three safe ways to defrost
- Fridge thawing. It takes the longest but is the safest, because the food never rises above 40°F (4°C). Once thawed, ground meat, poultry and seafood keep another 1–2 days; roasts and steaks keep 3–5 days.
- Cold-water thawing. Seal the food in a bag that won't leak, sink it in cold tap water and swap in fresh water every 30 minutes. Cook it as soon as it has thawed.
- Microwave thawing. Run the defrost setting, then cook straight away, since parts of the food start to cook while it defrosts.
Reference: USDA FSIS, "The Big Thaw — Safe Defrosting Methods".
Questions & answers
How long does it take to thaw a turkey in the fridge?
Plan on roughly 24 hours per 4–5 lb. A 15 lb bird takes 3–4 days.
Is it okay to thaw meat on the counter?
No. Its surface warms into the danger zone (40–140°F) while the middle is still frozen. Thaw in the fridge, in cold water or in the microwave instead.
Can thawed meat go back in the freezer?
Yes, if it was thawed in the fridge, although the quality suffers. If you thawed it in cold water or the microwave, cook it before freezing.
Is it fine to cook meat straight from frozen?
Yes. Expect it to need roughly 50% more cooking time, and check the internal temperature.
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Figures here are drawn from USDA FoodKeeper plus FSIS guidance. Data re-checked November 2026. How we check our numbers · Spotted an error? Tell us