Thanksgiving Is Nov. 26. USDA Says a Frozen Turkey Needs About a Day in the Refrigerator for Every Four to Five Pounds

EASTON, MARYLAND — Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov. 26, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service says shoppers buying a frozen turkey should leave enough time for it to thaw.

The guide names three safe ways to thaw a turkey: in the refrigerator, in cold water or in the microwave. Thawing on the kitchen counter or in hot water is not safe, it says.

In the refrigerator, the agency says to allow roughly 24 hours for every four to five pounds of turkey. After thawing, the turkey is safe in the refrigerator for one to two days. In a cold-water bath, allow 30 minutes per pound, keep the turkey in its original wrapping, and change the water every 30 minutes until it is thawed. A turkey thawed in cold water or in the microwave must be cooked immediately. For a small turkey or a turkey breast thawed in the microwave, the guide says to use the defrost setting and follow the manufacturer's recommendations.

Washing raw turkey is not recommended. The agency says rinsing it risks spreading bacteria around the kitchen and to other foods, so it is safest not to wash it. It advises washing hands with soap and water for 20 seconds before and after handling raw meat or poultry.

However it is cooked, the internal temperature of the turkey must reach at least 165 degrees F, the guide says. For a whole bird, it says to check the thickest part of the breast, the innermost part of the wing and the innermost part of the thigh with a food thermometer.

Refrigerate or freeze leftovers within two hours of cooking. They are safe in the refrigerator for up to four days, or until the Monday after Thanksgiving, and can be frozen for later.

The agency's hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern, except federal holidays, and on Thanksgiving Day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The number is 1-888-674-6854.