Thawing a turkey can take time, especially if you want it to be safe and ready for cooking. The rule of thumb is to allow about 24 hours of thawing time in the refrigerator for every 4 to 5 pounds of turkey. Is this for a special occasion you're planning? If you need to speed up the process, you can use the cold water method, changing the water every 30 minutes. How big is the turkey you're working with?