How many days will it take to thaw a 16-pound turkey at 40°F?

Thawing a turkey safely is crucial to preventing the growth of harmful bacteria. The general guideline for thawing a turkey in the refrigerator is to allow for approximately 24 hours of thawing time for every 4 to 5 pounds of turkey. Given this guideline, a 16-pound turkey would take about 3 to 4 days to thaw completely at a constant refrigerator temperature of 40°F.

Calculating this, you can divide the turkey's weight (16 pounds) by the recommended thawing rate. If you use 4 pounds per day, this would result in approximately 4 days (16 pounds / 4 pounds per day). If using the slightly shorter estimate of 5 pounds per day, it would still take about 3 days. Therefore, the best estimate for thawing a 16-pound turkey in the refrigerator is about 3 days, making this option the most appropriate answer. This safe thawing method ensures that the turkey remains at a safe temperature, reducing the risk of foodborne illness.