I'd give the 22 pounder 5 days and the 13 pounder 3 days.
Linda C

Thank you Linda!!!!!!!!!!

I picked up a frozen Butterball too (23+) and will pick up another tomorrow.

If I put the 23 pounder in the fridge (to make room to freeze the other for later use), can I factor in a few days for refrigeration only? In other words, how soon can I put the turkey in the refrigerator?

Thanks...

I think you can safely leave a thawed turkey in the refrigerator for 3 or 4 days...
But remember the outside will thaw way before the inside will...so the outside will have been at 40 degrees for quite a while...I wouldn't put one in the frig before a week from the day.
Actually I always keep a frozen turkey frozen until 2 days before and finish defrosting in the sink with running cold water.
Linda C

Maura, how many people are you feeding??? Wow. That's a lot of gobbler. :)

The rule of thumb (per Butterball, Cooks and BH&G) is one day fridge thawing time for each five pounds of turkey. So if you have a 23-25 pound bird and want to prepare it on Thursday morning, it needs to be in the fridge no later than Saturday morning and probably no earlier than the Thursday preceeding Thanksgiving. That's in the wrapper (to minimize cross-contamination.) Don't forget to put a shallow pan under it.

Thanks, as usual!

Maybe it's tradition, but my Mom always bought at least a 22-pound bird, so I've been taught to look for the biggest We will be 19, including five teenage boys, and I never mind leftovers.

I was intrigued by another poster on another thread who buys and cooks two smaller turkeys though. (I think one the day before, and one on turkey-day).

I am not a "cook". My mother was a terrific cook, and baker, and the cooking genes were passed on to my brothers! And before finding the forum, I would call Mom or a brother for any tips or advice I needed. Now I rely on the wisdom of all of you! (Thank you)

Maura