(WKBN) — As we are only days away from Thanksgiving, it is time to start thawing your turkey.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, while frozen, a turkey is safe indefinitely. As soon as it begins to thaw, bacteria that may have been present before freezing will begin to grow again.
Here are some safe ways to dethaw your Thanksgiving bird:
Refrigerator Thawing (Most Recommended)
Thawing a turkey in a refrigerator is the safest method because it will thaw at a consistent, safe temperature. This method takes some time, so allow one day for each four to five pounds of weight. If your turkey weighs 16 pounds, it will take about four days to thaw. Once thawed, the turkey is safe for another two days, so you can start thawing it six days before Thanksgiving.
Cold Water Thawing
leave the turkey in its original wrapping and submerge it in a sink — or container — full of cold water. The water must be cold so that the turkey stays at a safe temperature. You should change the water every 30 minutes. Empty out the water and replace it with fresh cold water. This method allows 30 minutes of defrosting time per pound, so a 16-pound turkey will take eight hours to thaw using this method. Once the turkey has thawed, cook it immediately.
Microwave Thawing
Before you commit to thawing your turkey in the microwave, check your owner’s manual for the size of turkey that will fit in your microwave oven, the minutes per pound and the power level to use when thawing a turkey. Remove all outside wrapping and place the turkey on a microwave-safe dish to catch any leaking juices. Use the defrost function based on weight. As a general rule, allow six minutes per pound when thawing a turkey in the microwave. Be sure to rotate it several times and flip it during thawing.
If the turkey starts to actually cook instead of just defrosting, let it rest for five minutes or so before you resume thawing. Partway through thawing you may wish to cover the tips of the wings and drumsticks with a small piece of foil to shield them from the microwaves and keep them from cooking. Once the turkey has thawed, you should cook it immediately.
How not to thaw a turkey
- thawing a turkey on the counter, in the garage or on the back porch
- thawing a turkey in a brown paper grocery bag or plastic garbage bag
- using the dishwasher to thaw a turkey (with or without water)
- any method that is not the refrigerator, cold water or the microwave
How to Cook a Frozen Turkey
It is perfectly safe to cook a turkey in a frozen state; it will just take longer to cook. A solidly frozen turkey will take at least 50 percent longer to cook than a thawed turkey. If your turkey is only partially frozen, remember that it will take a bit longer to cook. Use your food thermometer, and when your bird measures 165ËšF in the innermost part of the thigh, the innermost part of the wing and the thickest part of the breast, it is ready.
