topic Re: Thawing Turkey 2021 in Recipes

Thawing Turkey 2021

gtx — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 15:30:16 GMT

What day do you put your frozen turkey in the refrigerator to thaw?

Mine is a 16 lb bird. It will take probably 4 to 5 days.

Re: Thawing Turkey 2021

On It — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 15:41:28 GMT

@gtx Our turkey is 16.8 pounds. We are moving it from the freezer to the fridge Saturday. I want the ice gone before trying to get the neck and that plastic bag of yuck stuff out of the cavities. I do not know if this is correct, but we are moving it earlier. I usually did the move on Sunday, but I have had birds still icy. Since we are not supposed to wash the bird as I once did, I hope it will be fully thawed and ready for the oven.

Re: Thawing Turkey 2021

gtx — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 15:54:43 GMT

Thanks @On It. I am thinking the same thing. I don't want an icy turkey to deal with. Now I just have to make room in the refrigerator for 5 days. I need two refrigerators and 2 ovens for Thanksgiving.

Re: Thawing Turkey 2021

On It — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 16:04:17 GMT

@gtx If you have space in your utility or garage, the best investment we have made was a second refrigerator. We bought a plain, basic top freezer refrigerator whose dimensions fit our utility room. The only perk it has is self-defrosting. No ice maker, no water dispenser, or any frills.

We use it year round to store uncooked meat both in the fridge and the freezer. Any frozen foods like veggies or dinners that require cooking are stored in the utility fridge. Anything that is eaten without cooking is stored in the kitchen fridge. It was money well-spent if you have the space.

Re: Thawing Turkey 2021

Vivian — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 16:10:04 GMT

I read the instructions on the frozen turkey. It said one day for each four pounds. With a 16 pound turkey, I plan to put it in the refrigerator on Sunday. That's the recommendation on the Butterball turkey I bought.

Re: Thawing Turkey 2021

TaylorBrown — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 16:21:44 GMT

There is a chart on foodsafety dot gov that may be useful.

Re: Thawing Turkey 2021

On It — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 16:37:52 GMT

Let's all do what we think is best, but I will try to remember to start a new thread where we can post the results. I will be moving my 16.8 pound turkey into the Fridge on Saturday. I want it pliable with no ice. A thawed turkey will last 1-2 days in the fridge, so I am not concerned about it it spoiling.

Those who have a 16 pound turkey can begin the defrosting when you choose. Let's report the day we moved it and the condition when we started to prepare the bird. (Completely thawed; Slightly icy; Still frozen enough to make removing parts in the cavities difficult; Total ice cube.) I know the refrigerator temperature will be an unknown variable, but I thought this would be a fun experiment.

Re: Thawing Turkey 2021

fthunt — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 16:48:10 GMT

Saturday sounds good for a 16

Sunday for a 12

It won't hurt if totally thawed for a day - look at all the raw meat out there at the grocery store.

Re: Thawing Turkey 2021

Mary Bailey — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 17:00:40 GMT

I'm so glad to see this thread!

I have a 18# turkey I want to brine it then DH will smoke it on the Traeger. He'll slice it. We will bring it sliced to my sister's.

I think Saturday. What do you think?

Re: Thawing Turkey 2021

On It — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 17:14:11 GMT

@Mary Bailey I am not ignoring your question, but I do not have enough experience to have an answer. One, I have never brined a turkey, so I do not know how to allow time for that. Second, I have never smoked a turkey, so I do not know how much time that requires. Down here in Texas to smoke a brisket like the top barbecue joints takes 18 hours. I guess you need to factor the brine and smoking to allow for any extra time you may need over the traditional wrapper to oven cooking style.

Re: Thawing Turkey 2021

Mary Bailey — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 17:35:54 GMT

@On It Brining is overnight. DH watched a YouTube for smoking a turkey on a pellet grill is 1.5 hours.

Re: Thawing Turkey 2021

On It — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 17:36:14 GMT

@Mary Bailey Thank you for the information. Do you have a way to control the temperature setting? I thought the time for slow smoking the turkey would be much longer like at least 8 hours or so.

Re: Thawing Turkey 2021

Mary Bailey — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 17:39:30 GMT

@On It yes It's like a convection oven really. The video said 375 until internal temp is 180. The turkey will be flat or spatchcock.

Re: Thawing Turkey 2021

catter70 — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 17:57:59 GMT

I usually buy around a 7 lb. breast and even taking it out on Sun. there's ice in the cavity, so I'm gonna put it in the refrigerator on Sat. p.m. sometime.

Re: Thawing Turkey 2021

GrailSeeker — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 18:21:14 GMT

I was looking this up today myself! I have a 12 pounder. My refrigerator must run colder than others because I always take it out sooner than recommended. Everybody was saying the one day per 4 pounds but mine is still frozen in the center if I do that, as you say the neck and giblets frozen solid inside. My refrigerator is between the back door and window and if it is cold outside, it runs very cold. I was thinking Saturday. I know 3 days isn't going to do it for me.

Re: Thawing Turkey 2021

Citrine1 — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 18:32:23 GMT

I was thinking the same thing about having a cold refrigerator @GrailSeeker . Things seem to take forever to defrost in mine.

Re: Thawing Turkey 2021

On It — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 18:39:53 GMT

@Mary Bailey Thank you for the reply. I have never seen a turkey cooked like that. I want to investigate this new way of doing things. We may need to up our game and invest in a new grill.

Re: Thawing Turkey 2021

RedTop — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 21:38:25 GMT

My turkey breasts are already thawing in the refrigerator.

Re: Thawing Turkey 2021

Big Joanie — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 23:16:28 GMT

I have a 19 pounder .. I will start the process on sunday ...

out of the freezer .. on the counter for the day ... back in

the fridge ... out on the counter all day Monday ... back in

the fridge .... hope to get the giblets out to boil for gravy

on Wednesday .... I am very fussy about the inside of the

turkey .... that clean out is done at least 3 times ....before we

stuff it ...

It's a lot of work .. but it certainly tastes good when it's on

the table .....

Re: Thawing Turkey 2021

ECBG — Fri, 19 Nov 2021 01:37:31 GMT

@gtx

You're still good with your time table. Your refrigerator is cold and you will be cooking it through. A day one way or the other doesn't matter. I taught food safety.