 Is your turkey frozen? Don't forget to get it out of the freezer plenty of time for cooking. A large turkey can take up to 3 days to defrost. Read the instructions, it'll give you an idea of how long it's going to take. Or speak to your butcher. And make sure there's absolutely no ice crystals left before you start to cook your bird. When you defrost in your turkey don't forget to keep it away from ready-to-eat foods and other cooked foods to avoid cross-contamination. Don't defrost your turkey in the microwave.