Place unopened roast on a tray in refrigerator for 1½ to 2 days, or until thawed. To thaw faster, place unopened roast in cold tap water for 3 to 5 hours.
When it comes to preparing a turkey dinner, many of us are stumped by the question of how long it should take to properly thaw an 8 lb turkey breast. Thawing a turkey correctly is essential to ensure that it is safe to eat and also that it is cooked evenly throughout. Properly defrosting a turkey is not difficult, but it does require careful thought and preparation. There are several methods that can be used to defrost an 8 lb turkey breast, and it is important to know what each of them entails in order to select the most appropriate method for your dinner. In this blog post, we will discuss all the different methods for defrosting a turkey breast and also provide tips on how to make sure the turkey is appropriately thawed before cooking. By the end of this blog post, you will have the knowledge and confidence to defrost a turkey breast correctly and make sure your dinner is safe and delicious.
If you’ve got a frozen turkey you plan on cooking for Thanksgiving, here are some important tips on thawing it safely.
Here are some crucial suggestions for safely defrosting a frozen turkey if you intend to cook one for Thanksgiving.
How Can I Defrost My Turkey Fast?Thawing Frozen Turkey in Cold Water
This is a possibility, but boy is it labor-intensive; the water must be kept at 40 degrees or lower the entire time, and each pound of turkey needs 30 minutes to thaw. In order to maintain the water’s temperature and prevent warmer water from becoming a salmonella breeding ground, you must change the water roughly every half hour. For instance, if your bird weighs 16 pounds, you would need to monitor it for 8 hours and change its water 16 times!
But it’s a good option if that’s what you have to do to make Thanksgiving happen. Place the turkey in its original packaging in a container big enough for it to be completely submerged. A very large pot or a spotless trash can could be used. Cover with 40° Fahrenheit cold water, which might require adding ice to even very cold tap water. To find out how long it would take your turkey to thaw in cold water, refer to the chart below.
How NOT to Thaw a Turkey
NOTE: It’s critical to practice food safety when defrosting a turkey, and we can’t stress this enough. To avoid bacterial growth that could result in foodborne illness, the entire turkey must be kept at a safe temperature throughout the thawing process.
FAQ
How long does it take to cook a 8 lb frozen turkey breast?
- 8- to 12-pound turkey: 4 to 4-1/2 hours.
- 12- to 14-pound turkey: 4 1/2 to 5-3/4 hours.
- 14- to 18-pound turkey: 6 to 6-3/4 hours.
- 18- to 20-pound turkey: 6-3/4 to 7-1/2 hours.
- 20- to 24-pound turkey: 7-1/2 to 7-3/4 hours.
How long does it take to thaw an 8 pound turkey?
4 lbs: 1 hours to defrost. 8 lbs: 4 hours to defrost. 12 lbs: 6 hours to defrost. 16 lbs: 8 hours to defrost.
How long does it take to defrost a 7lb turkey breast in the refrigerator?
A 6 or 7-pound turkey breast will take about 1 and a half days (36 hours) to thaw completely in the refrigerator. Once more, ensure that the refrigerator is set to a temperature between 37 and 40 degrees.
When should I take my turkey breast out of the freezer to thaw?
Your refrigerator (set at 40°F) is the simplest and safest place to defrost your turkey. For every 5 pounds of food, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) suggests thawing it in the refrigerator for one day. Therefore, you must begin defrosting at least three days in advance if your bird weighs 15 pounds.
