Ok when should I start to defrost it?
2007-11-14 07:54:30 · 14 answers · asked by Barbara 4 in Food & Drink ➔ Cooking & Recipes
NOW!!!!!! More like yesterday!
Turkey Basics: Safe Defrosting
"The Big Thaw"
Turkeys must be kept at a safe temperature during thawing. While frozen, a turkey is safe indefinitely. However, if the turkey is allowed to thaw at a temperature above 40 ºF, any harmful bacteria that may have been present before freezing can begin to grow again unless proper thawing methods are used.
A package of frozen meat or poultry thawing on the counter longer than 2 hours is not safe. Even though the center of the package may still be frozen, the outer layer of the food is in the "danger zone," between 40 and 140 ºF -- a temperature range where harmful bacteria multiply rapidly.
There are three safe ways to defrost food: in the refrigerator, in cold water, and in the microwave.
Thawing Frozen Turkeys
Immediately after grocery store checkout, take the frozen turkey home and store it in the freezer until ready to use. Frozen turkeys should not be thawed on the back porch, in the car trunk, in the basement or on the kitchen counter.
Refrigerator Thawing
When thawing a turkey in the refrigerator, there are several variables to take into account:
Plan ahead: allow approximately 24 hours for every 5 pounds in a refrigerator set at 40 °F.
Refrigerator Thawing Times
(Whole turkey)
8 to 12 pounds..........1 to 2 days
12 to 16 pounds..........2 to 3 days
16 to 20 pounds..........3 to 4 days
20 to 24 pounds..........4 to 5 days
Foods defrosted in the refrigerator can be refrozen without cooking, but there may be some loss of quality.
Microwave Thawing
Follow the manufacturer's instructions when thawing a turkey in the microwave oven. Plan to cook it immediately after thawing because some areas of the turkey may become warm and begin to cook during microwave thawing.
Cold Water Thawing
Allow about 30 minutes per pound when thawing a turkey in cold water. Be sure the turkey is in leak-proof packaging. Tissues can absorb water like a sponge, resulting in a watery product. Submerge the turkey in cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes until the turkey is thawed.
Cold Water Thawing Times
8 to 12 pounds...........4 to 6 hours
12 to 16 pounds...........6 to 8 hours
16 to 20 pounds.........8 to 10 hours
20 to 24 pounds.......10 to 12 hours
Turkeys thawed by the cold water method should be cooked immediately because conditions were not temperature controlled.
2007-11-14 07:57:13 · answer #1 · answered by Grants a tractor luvr! 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Defrost the frozen turkey in the refrigerator.Allow 24 hours for every 5 pounds of turkey. Alternately, you could thaw the turkey in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes. Make sure (this is very IMPORTANT) raw turkey juices DO NOT drip onto surrounding food while defrosting in the refrigerator.Aaaaaaaand cook the POOR defrosted turkey immediately :)
2016-05-23 04:11:14 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, it depends on what you want to do with it. If you are mad at your boyfriend it will go through the front windshield of his car much easier if you don't defrost it. On the other hand, if you want to eat it, try reading the instructions that are usually located on the plastic wrapping. If there are no instructions then give it about one week in the refrigerator.
2007-11-14 08:18:40 · answer #3 · answered by clueless 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You defrost a frozen bird one hour for each pound so you'll be defrosting for pretty much a whole day.
2007-11-14 07:59:31 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sunday Morning
2007-11-14 08:02:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Take it directly from the freezer 28 hours before you intend on cooking it... cover it to protect it from losing moisture, place in the refrigerator at the bottom, such that raw turkey blood/drippings don't drop onto other foods in the fridge. Remove from the refrigerator and cook it as soon as possible
2007-11-14 07:58:59 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Place it in the refrigerator today. It will be ready for you on Tuesday evening. Be sure to place it in the bottom with a lagre pan to catch al the liquid so you don't contaminate the rest of your food in the fridge.
2007-11-14 08:30:23 · answer #7 · answered by David H 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This Saturday , it should take two days. Then season and put away. For a turkey that big you should season it for 3 days.
2007-11-14 08:11:04 · answer #8 · answered by nitenite24 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the refrigerator - Saturday at the latest. There's nothing wrong with starting right now.
2007-11-14 07:58:52 · answer #9 · answered by lunatic 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
at least 5 days for 20 lb turkey!!!
2007-11-14 08:05:42 · answer #10 · answered by roeman 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋