2006-11-21 02:40:12 · 8 answers · asked by Just me. 4 in Food & Drink ➔ Cooking & Recipes
That really depends on how cold you keep your refrigerator.
I recomend putting it in the refrigerator now to let it defrost for Thanksgiving. If your refrigerator is kept @ 31°F, then it may still have Ice Crystals Thursday Morning... If you're upwards of 35°F, then you'll be all thawed Wednesday evening, but that's not a problem...
Keep in mind that thawing time depends on the thickest area to the surface. It's the thickness that makes the defrosting or cooking time longer, so it's not a nice linear progression for the thawing or cooking time... Thumb rules are just standardized estimations..
If you still have Ice Crystals in your Turkey when it comes time to bake it Thanksgiving morning, start it in the oven about one to two hours early at a lower temperature; 250-275°F works well.
Then at the time you would have started it, take it out and check for frost - If frost free, stuff it quickly and get it back in. (Do not stuff it if there's frost; Just put it back in and cook the stuffing in a side dish.)
Cook at the normal temperature (I prefer 325°F) until it's cooked through.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving meal!
2006-11-21 03:20:59 · answer #1 · answered by Jorrath Zek 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Almost 48 hours... here's the article I go by..
Thawing a Turkey
Two safe methods for thawing:
In the refrigerator. This is the preferred method, but can be difficult to arrange with a fully stocked fridge. Clear some space and allow one day for every 5 pounds of meat: a 15-pound turkey will require three days to thaw thoroughly.
Submerged in cold water. Using your sink or a bucket, keep the turkey in its original wrapper and make sure it is completely covered with cold water. You may need to cover the turkey with a plate and place some heavy cans on top of it to keep it totally submerged. It is vital for the sake of safety that you change the cold water every 30 minutes. Using this method, it will take approximately 30 minutes per pound to thaw a turkey.
It is also possible to use a combination of the two methods--use the fridge for the first two days of thawing, and the sink on the day before Thanksgiving, when the refrigerator fills up with other holiday dishes.
2006-11-21 10:49:04 · answer #2 · answered by BabyGirl 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The package instructions on my 12 pounder says to thaw in refridgerator for 3 to 4 days. So I'd say maybe 3 for yours.
2006-11-21 10:49:37 · answer #3 · answered by Starscape 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I would start defrosting it in the refrigerator now. Then I would put it in the sink tomorrow morning with cold water to help it thaw out all the way.
2006-11-21 10:50:45 · answer #4 · answered by JeWelz 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Put it in the sink for about 4 hours in cold water. Take it out dry it off and put in the fridge until Wednesday night.
2006-11-21 10:49:36 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
2 to 3 days.
2006-11-21 10:42:56 · answer #6 · answered by Paul K 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Start now, just to be sure. Probably at least a solid day. But if you do it now, you'll be fine.
2006-11-21 10:42:41 · answer #7 · answered by Sugar Pie 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i think it is about 24 hours
2006-11-21 10:42:24 · answer #8 · answered by poohbear_2553 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋