I was watching a cooking programme the other day and they said that you can defrost your turkey 5 days before as long as it is in the fridge. I went out and bought our turkey and put it in the fridge. By Christmas day it would have been in the fridge for 5 days, it is still in it's packaging. I have been emptying the tray that the meat is in regularly and it does feel as if it is thawed, having been in there for two days now. My question is, will it be safe to cook this turkey or have I been too keen? The turkey weighs 4.5kg
2006-12-21 06:10:12 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Food & Drink ➔ Other - Food & Drink
You have a 4.5kg (10lb) turkey.
It should be fine by Christmas.... Keep it in the package in the cold part of the fridge.
For a 10 lb bird, I usuallly count on 3 days for it to be defrosted.
If you can and your turkey is NOT basted/injected with broth by the processor, I do recommend brining the turkey the night before.
It helps improve the moisture and the flavor.
2006-12-21 06:15:43 · answer #1 · answered by lots_of_laughs 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The day before cooking, take the turkey out and leave on a counter overnight. Trust me, it is the only way to go. Thawing it in the fridge takes forever (no way 5 days!) and eventually you will end up baking a turkey which is still frozen in the middle. The result - dried up turkey outside, raw inside. On the counter, however, it will defrost completely overnight. And don't give up to mass hysteria about food safety - it will still be safe if baked properly.
2006-12-21 06:18:06 · answer #2 · answered by Kaytee 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A 4.5kg turkey should thaw out in approximately two days. Take it out of its packaging and dry the innards with a clean tea towel(assuming it is fully thawed out). Put it back in THE BOTTOM of your fridge and cover loosely with a clean towel. Cook it on christmas morning.
2006-12-21 06:18:30 · answer #3 · answered by breedgemh_101 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should never leave meat on the side to defrost (although alot of people do!) youve done the right thing by leaving it in the fridge to defrost although 5 days i personally think is a little to long for a 4.5k... but i aint a chef! id say 3 days max... depending on how cold your fridge is set!
2006-12-21 06:16:32 · answer #4 · answered by Lily Allen 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your turkey is going to be fine in the fridge for a week or two even.
2006-12-21 06:18:48 · answer #5 · answered by Matt 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could cook it on Christmas eve then put it back in the fridge when its cold to be on the safe side. Merry Christmas
2006-12-21 06:12:51 · answer #6 · answered by sundancer332003 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if the colour under the skin is too blue then check if it smells bad, but usually 2 days to defrost in the fridge is OK, enjoy and MC
2006-12-24 10:18:59 · answer #7 · answered by getmeout2001 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
as long as it is in the fridge, and you don t keep opening the fridge for nothing, it should be ok.
cook it throughly. the best thing is to buy your self a meat temperature.... it should help you a lot...
good luck.
happy christmas
2006-12-21 06:21:35 · answer #8 · answered by nadezdha87 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That will be OK but make sure that your fridge is running at the recommended temperature, and that the bird is on the lower level.
2006-12-21 06:20:43 · answer #9 · answered by Spiny Norman 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It will be fine. And let it sit for another day or so. The deepest parts of the meat will still not be complately thawed, so they won't cook completely.
2006-12-21 06:13:28 · answer #10 · answered by Steve H 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋