There are several ways of thawing a turkey for your Thanksgiving meal. Thawing in the refrigerator, in cold water, and in the microwave are the methods suggested most by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).In terms of food safety and proper thawing habits, it is best to thaw turkey in the refrigerator to prevent bacterial growth. The slow thawing of frozen foods allows for minimum growth of bacteria, which can cause foodborne illness. Approximately 1 in 6 people become infected with a foodborne illness each year. These illnesses have flu-like symptoms, and can make the holidays difficult to enjoy.Thawing ...