Remember that you have to allow 24 hours for every 5 pounds if you're going to defrost a turkey in the refrigerator. That means a 15-pound turkey will take three full days, so get started on Monday.
If you miss this deadline, you can defrost the bird faster in a sinkful of cold water, allowing about half an hour for each pound of turkey and changing the water occasionally. (It will still take 7 1/2 hours for that 15-pounder, so do it after work on Wednesday, then refrigerate it.)
Roasting Times For a Fully Defrosted Turkey
10 to 18 lbs.:
3 to 3 1/2 hours (unstuffed)
3 3/4 to 4 1/2 hours (stuffed)
18 to 22 lbs.:
3 1/2 to 4 hours (unstuffed)
4 1/2 to 5 hours (stuffed)
22 to 24 lbs.:
4 to 4 1/2 hours (unstuffed)
5 to 5 1/2 hours (stuffed)
24 to 30 lbs.:
4 1/2 to 5 hours (unstuffed)
5 1/2 to 6 1/4 (stuffed)
More Turkey Recipes »
