when should i take a 12 lbs turkey out of the freezer for thanksgiving?

Question

i took it out yesturday and put it in the fridge
should it be sitting out or will it be ready for dinner tomarrow if i just leave it in the fridge

and what time should i start it and at what temp?

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

Oh jeez, you should have taken that thing out of the freezer days ago if you want to cook it tomorrow. But hey, I've been close to your situation, so here's what you can do. Place a large tub of cold water in the sink, and drop the bird in the water. Leave the plastic on for now. You will need to change the water every 30 minutes or so. After most of the day it should be pretty well thawed, but whatever you do DO NOT leave it out overnight! That can cause nasty things like salmonella. Anyways, best of luck. You can finish the thaw in the am, just make sure to take it out of the plastic. and make sure it is thawed on the inside too.

Good luck

Answer 3

!!!! I just learned/read that it take 5 hrs in the refridgerator per POUND to defrost. I recommend that you do what I also read was the best to defrost. put the bird in the sink of COOL water and let it sit... and change the water every hour.. until defrosted.
Cook it at 325. it's the best temp to SLOW cook it to make everything cook through and through so bacteria doesn't ruin the day. you'll cook it for 3 hours (1 hour per 4lbs) unstuffed. add 1/2 to 1 hour if stuffed. Never leave it out to defrost. My 13lb bird has been in the fridge since Monday. Let the bird rest on the counter for 20 minutes, reabsorb juices.

Answer 4

Don't let it sit out all night. If you check it in the morning and it still seems a bit frozen place it in a large container of cold water , keep the water cold. Depending what time you want to eat. It takes about 20mins per lb. so approx. 3-31/2 hrs. Don't fret if it is done early, you can slice it up and have it done. Just warm in oven or microwave. Don't forget to remove the bag of gizzards from inside the turkey before cooking, its in a little bag in the body cavity. Good luck and have a great day. Hope it tastes wonderful.

Answer 5

You should let it thaw untill tomorrow morning in the sink, and then stuff (if you want) and cook it at about 350 degrees Farenheit, 20 minutes or so per pound, covered. That equates to about 4 hours, plus time to let it settle. Depending on when you are going to eat, start it about 4 and a half hours before you want to eat, give or take a few minutes. I hope I helped!

Answer 6

you better get it out of the fridge now!! turkeys take a while to totally unthaw. you cooked them at 350o and the wrapper it is in will tell you the cooking times for the pound of the bird so it depends on when you want to eat as to when you put it in the oven. if you want to eat by 2pm then you should have the turkey in the oven by 7am. (depending on the weight)

Answer 7

trust me , take it out and place in a shallow baking pan on the counter for awhile it won't hurt it mine is out right now on counter but when i go to bed i put it in the fridge (don't let it stay out all night) i am cooking mine tonight (overnight on a 200 degree oven , will be mostly done when i get up.. happy turkey day@!!! if you are also using this method ... put it in about 10pm stuffed and all.

Answer 8

if it hasn't thawed yet today, fill your tub with cold water and float it in there. Leave it in it's plastic wrapper. It will probably only take about 2-3 hours for your turkey to cook. you roast it at 325 degrees farenheit.

Answer 9

put it in cool water for 2 hrs and then back in fridge..don't take out of wrapping until morning, then allow 3 hrs for cooking, don't forget 15-20 minutes to rest

Answer 10

I see a few different answers here. If you want to be sure, you can ask the experts...

Butterball Turkey Talk Line: 800-BUTTERBALL
http://www.butterball.com

Reynolds Turkey Tips Hotline: [phone]
USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline: [phone]
Q&A: http://www.landolakes.com (800-782-9606)