My job has given me a turkey for thanksgiving and I was just wondering is 2 days enough days to thaw and what is the best way to thaw a turkey. I heard so many ways. I've always wrapped newspaper around the turkey and put in the frigerator 3 days before. Looking for the good healthy way.
2006-11-21 15:55:49 · 16 answers · asked by Carol K 1 in Food & Drink ➔ Cooking & Recipes
I work in a grocery store and we are telling everyone to start thawing their Turkeys today. 2 days should be just fine, you can do either cold water bath or put it in the fridge depending on the size. Happy Feast!!!
2006-11-21 16:03:20 · answer #1 · answered by Texanborn 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You did not say how big your turkey is. To thaw in frig it will thaw about 4 lbs. a day and is considered the safest. You can thaw it wrapped in the sink by covering with tepid (not hot and not cold) water and then change the water out about ever hour or so. You will know when to change as the water will become really cold. You can do the sink method around the clock until Thursday am. A supplier gave me a 25 Lb. Monster Turkey and did so on a Wednesday. No way did I have room in my freezer, or frig where I was already thawing a turkey. I ended up giving to battered women's shelter who said that they were glad to have it and would use it for Christmas celebrations. I find that putting in the sink of tepid water as a good and safe method and have used it a number of times.
2006-11-21 17:47:46 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on how big the turkey is, but two days in the fridge is supposed to be enough. Just leave it wrapped from the store. If you check it before you go to bed on Thanksgiving eve and it is frozen, just leave it on the counter overnight. As long as you are cooking the meat to 160 degrees, everything dies anyway. I have never had a problem. My mother used to stick the plastic coated turkey in the sink with warm water to thaw it out if it was still a little frozen. Also matters if you are stuffing the bird, because it will take so much longer for the inside to get hot. If no stuffing, it will cook easily even if it is still a little frozen.
2006-11-21 16:21:58 · answer #3 · answered by Oak18 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cold water bath is the safest way to do it. I would take the turkey out of the packaging and put in a sink full of cold water. Let it sit until thawed. That should be long enough. Just keep checking on it regularly that the internal temp of the bird is under 41 degrees f. That way you aren't promoting bacterial growth. I'd just stick a thermometer into the breast so that you know when its ready to go back into the fridge.
2006-11-21 16:00:38 · answer #4 · answered by jmk_jenmarie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you haven't heard this already, brining is the way to go - and you can start the process from frozen. Soak it in heavily salted cold water (look for more details by Googling 'brine turkey' or 'brining a turkey') and the meat will be the most moist and tender ever. It salts the outer layer of meat slightly but as long as you have the correct proportions it will taste succulent and fantastic.
My family were all skeptics till last Thanksgiving. I did one turkey in a mix of water, apple juice, and salt - the other turkey just went in the oven beside it 'as is'. Not only did the brined turkey melt on our forks and in our mouths - it was cooked brown and glossy about half-an-hour sooner than the other bird... and they were the same weight/size! We're all converts. And so are about fifteen people that I met in the grocery store and in the checkout line who tried it for themselves... (smile)
Happy Thanksgiving!
2006-11-21 16:26:30 · answer #5 · answered by bardmistress 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This might not be the healthiest way of thawing a turkey, but my family always does this. Put the bird in a sink of cold water and let it stay there overnight. This will help thaw it out quickly. This procedure has never made any of us sick. Hope this helps!
2006-11-21 16:11:07 · answer #6 · answered by Jules 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just thaw in fridge, I hope it thaws in 2 days. It depends on the weight of the turkey and when you started to thaw in fridge. you will be ok. Happy Thanksgiving
2006-11-21 16:08:12 · answer #7 · answered by Domino's Mom 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the size of the turkey. If it's average, thaw as normal in fridge. Any additional thawing that's needed can be done when you remove the giblets and neck and rinse the cavity in cold water.
2006-11-21 17:10:19 · answer #8 · answered by mason p 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i heard last thursday was national take your turkey out of the freezer day..i hate to say it..but i think an 18 - 20 lbs turkey take 5 days to thaw in the fridge.
2006-11-21 16:12:50 · answer #9 · answered by Uncle Salty 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can leave it out since it is frozen but my mom and i do is just put it in the refrigerator as is and yes 2 days should be enough time for it to thaw.
GOOD LUCK
2006-11-21 15:59:17 · answer #10 · answered by knowssignlanguage 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋