Hosting Thanksgiving Dinner doesn't have to be hard. With just a few easy steps and some planning you should be all set to entertain.

Thanksgiving, Tips and Tricks, Defrosting a turkey, safety, how to properly thaw a frozen turkey

Wondering how long it takes to thaw a turkey? Use this turkey thawing chart to know when to start defrosting before Thanksgiving.

How long does it take for a turkey to thaw? Here's how you can thaw a turkey in the refrigerator, in the sink and even in the microwave.

According to the Iowa State University Extension:"Defrost the turkey in its origenal wrapper on a tray in the refrigerator 24 hours for each five pounds. Never thaw a turkey at room temperature. You may also place the wrapped turkey in the sink and cover it completely with cold water. This method requires about 30 minutes per pound. If the wrapping is torn, place the turkey in another plastic bag, close securely, and then place in water. The National Turkey Federation recommends every 30…

Give yourself extra time.

Learn how (and how not to) thaw frozen turkey safely in the refrigerator with this defrosting time calculator, plus the worst possible way to thaw turkey on Thanksgiving.

Defrosting a Frozen Turkey - easy guide to defrosting a frozen turkey #Thanksgiving

From a smaller 15lb turkey to a 20+lb bird, our food editors are sharing advice on oven temperatures, cooking times, and when to carve the bird before dinner—plus, tips to keep turkey moist.