Have a frozen Thanksgiving turkey in the freezer? Depending on its size, you may need to start thawing it now.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, here’s the general rule for moving a turkey from the freezer to the refrigerator:

4 to 12 pounds — 1 to 3 days

12 to 16 pounds — 3 to 4 days

16 to 20 pounds — 4 to 5 days

20 to 24 pounds — 5 to 6 days

Missed the deadline? You can thaw the turkey in cold water, though it requires more effort. The USDA recommends placing the turkey in a leak-proof bag, submerging it in cold tap water and changing the water every 30 minutes until thawed.

Here’s how long it takes using cold water:

4 to 12 pounds — 2 to 6 hours

12 to 16 pounds — 6 to 8 hours

16 to 20 pounds — 8 to 10 hours

20 to 24 pounds — 10 to 12 hours

Once thawed, the tur

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