It is officially time to prepare for Thanksgiving dinner, and before you can turn a rock-hard frozen turkey into the star at your feast you are going to have to thaw it. As silly as it sounds, this is the most important step to making the perfect meal. There are several ways to safely thaw a frozen turkey, it is important to use an approved method. Trying to thaw your turkey too quickly can lead to a dry bird.

Remember the larger the turkey, the longer it will take to thaw, so get on top of your dinner with our guide to help make it a success! Choose the method and timeline that works best for you, whether you're a plan-ahead cook or need a last-minute solution.

Safest Choice: Thaw in the Refrigerator.

Allow approximately 24 hours for every 5 pounds of turkey. A 10 pound bird will take about 2 days to thaw completely. The slow version is specifically for when taking your turkey from the freezer to the refrigerator, therefore creating a "set it and forget it" type thawing process. Keep the turkey in its original wrapping while it is thawing.

• Place breast side-up in a baking pan to keep any drips from contaminating other foods and refrigerator surfaces.
• You can hold the thawed turkey in the fridge for up to 2 days before cooking.

Short on time: Thaw in Cold Water.

 Allow approximately 30 minutes for every pound of turkey. A 10 pound turkey will take about 5 hours to thaw completely. Keep the turkey in its original wrapping, and place it in a larger, leak proof plastic bag.  Squeeze out extra air and seal the bag.

• Place the sealed bag breast-side down in a sink or bucket large enough so the turkey will be completely submerged. Fill with cold water. You may need to cover the turkey with a plate and plate and place some heavy cans on top or it to keep it totally submerged. Change the cold water every 30 minutes.
• Cook the turkey immediately after thawing.

It is also possible to use a combination of the two methods: Use the fridge for the first two days of thawing and finish in the sink early Thanksgiving morning!

Good luck and happy cooking!