November 18, 2022
“On average, it usually takes 24 hours for 4-5 pounds of turkey to thaw in the refrigerator, which potentially means a frozen, average-sized turkey may take two to three days to thaw prior to cooking,” she said. “If you do not have a lot of time to wait for your turkey to thaw, then you may consider buying a fresh one.”
Alternatively, consumers may choose to buy a turkey breast as opposed to a full turkey. Turkey breasts are a good option for people with less time to prepare and/or a lesser amount of refrigerator or oven space. For a turkey breast, estimate about a half to three-quarters of a pound per person.
Size of oven and refrigerator
Another consideration for the size of turkey is space — the capacity to store and cook the bird.
“Make sure your refrigerator can accommodate the size of turkey you plan to cook,” said Julie Prouse, an AgriLife Extension associate within the Department of Nutrition. “Ideally, plan to store the turkey on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator to avoid moisture from the thawing bird dripping and contaminating other foods .”
Similarly, do not overlook considering the size of the oven opening and the depth of the oven.