Thaw Your Thanksgiving Turkey Safely

11/12/2021 (Permalink)

How do I thaw a turkey?

Thanksgiving is a stressful time of year, when you bring together the whole family and pounds and pounds of food things can get a little hectic, so whether you are a planner or not, learn how you can thaw your turkey. 

Not all turkeys are frozen, but many are, and it can be daunting to know what to do. Follow along to see what method is best for you this holiday. 

Fridge Thawing:

If you are a planner this is our favorite option. By thawing in the fridge you are thawing in the safest way. Clear out a shelf in the bottom of your fridge and put a roasting pan underneath your turkey. This is a slow method and takes 24 hours for every 5 pounds of turkey. As your turkey thaws keep it wrapped and check the pan to see if it needs to be drained. After your turkey is thawed thoroughly dry it before seasoning and cooking. 

Sink-Thawing:

Running a little late on thawing your bird? No problem, sink-thawing is a great and much faster option. Clean your kitchen sink and fill your biggest pot with enough water to cover your turkey. You may need to weigh your turkey down with a lid or plate. Every 30 minutes drain all of the water and refill the pot with more cold water. This method takes about 2-3 hours for every 5 pounds, so even that big 20-pound bird can be thawed in 8-12 hours. 

Last-Minute Options:

If you forgot to get your turkey out of the freezer until Thanksgiving Day all hope is not lost. If your bird is still frozen on Thanksgiving morning go ahead and accept this won't be your best turkey ever, but it will be cooked and safe for your meal. Make sure you never try to fry a frozen bird and instead roast in your oven at a lower temperature for about 50% longer than you normally would. If you choose this option make sure that all parts of your turkey reach 165 degrees.

From the entire SERVPRO of South Mecklenburg County team, we wish you a Happy Thanks Giving. 

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