Don’t panic if, on Thanksgiving Day, you’re finally feeling like cooking and you cheerfully reach for the turkey in the refrigerator only to find it’s still a cold, solid mass. Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN, FAND, a nutrition expert, food safety consultant, and author of “Up Your Veggies: Flexitarian Recipes for the Whole Family,” has provided us with some tips on how to safely defrost your turkey, as well as how to know when it is completely defrosted and what to do if you simply don’t have time to thaw it. “.
Ah, Thanksgiving A time for family, friends, and…a perfectly cooked turkey. But before you can get to the deliciousness, you need to make sure your turkey is thawed
So, how do you know if your turkey is thawed all the way through?
The Touch Test
The simplest way to check is the touch test. Unwrap your turkey and remove the neck and giblets. Then, reach inside the cavity and feel around the breastbone. It should feel soft and pliable not frozen solid.
The Thermometer Test
If you want to be extra sure, use a meat thermometer. Insert the probe into the thickest part of the breast and the thickest part of the thigh. The temperature should read between 32°F and 40°F, which is the same temperature as your fridge.
What if My Turkey is Still Frozen?
Don’t panic! You can still cook a partially frozen or completely frozen turkey. Just be aware that it will take longer to cook than a thawed turkey.
Here are some tips for cooking a frozen turkey:
- Remove the giblets and neck.
- Place the turkey on a rack in a roasting pan.
- Add water to the bottom of the pan.
- Roast the turkey at a lower temperature than you would for a thawed turkey.
- Allow extra time for the turkey to cook.
Here are some additional tips for thawing a turkey:
- Thaw in the refrigerator: This is the safest method, but it takes the longest. Allow 24 hours for every 5 pounds of turkey.
- Thaw in cold water: Submerge the turkey in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes. This method is faster than thawing in the refrigerator, but it’s important to make sure the turkey stays cold.
- Thaw in the microwave: This is the fastest method, but it’s also the riskiest. Only use this method if your microwave has a defrost setting and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
No matter which method you choose, make sure to thaw your turkey safely and thoroughly before cooking it.
Happy Thanksgiving!
How to Defrost a Turkey Fast
If youve missed the fridge-thawing window, your best bet is to defrost your turkey in cold water. You should immerse the turkey in a sink or large container filled with cold water, breast-side down and with its original wrapping still on. “To reduce the growth of any hazardous bacteria, you want the water to be cold so the turkey stays at a safe temperature,” Amidor explains. You should change the water every 30 minutes with all new water.
“Using this method, it takes 30 minutes to defrost one pound,” Amidor says. So a 16-pound turkey, for example, will take eight hours to defrost. (If the math isnt mathing, simply plug the weight of your turkey into Butterballs turkey defrost time calculator. ) “Once the turkey has thawed, cook it immediately,” Amidor says.
How to Defrost a Turkey in the Fridge
The best option is to thaw your bird in the refrigerator, but this will take a few days. According to Amidor, place the unopened turkey breast-side up on a tray and place it in a refrigerator that is 40 degrees or less. For every four pounds of turkey, itll need about a day in the fridge to defrost completely. (For example, if your turkey weighs 16 pounds, it will take about four days to thaw. You can also use this handy calculator from Butterball to do the math for you. Before cooking, the turkey can remain refrigerated for up to two more days after it has completely defrosted, according to Amidor.
How to Tell If a Frozen Turkey is Thawed Completely
FAQ
What happens if turkey isn’t fully thawed?
How long does a turkey take to thaw?
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