Thanksgiving is quickly approaching, but let’s be honest: Hosting Thanksgiving dinner is no small task. How much turkey to make, when to start defrosting a turkey, and the age-old query: Will I have enough food?
Beyond the mayhem involved in putting together an epic dinner, food safety ought to come first.
In the end, friends and family should celebrate Thanksgiving with leftover pumpkin pie rather than food poisoning because nobody is thankful for a frosty bird.
To avoid bringing a ton of disease-causing bacteria to the holiday table, the researchers at Eat This, Not That! have compiled a list of essential instructions for thawing a frozen turkey.
There are a few different ways to thaw a bird, but almost all of them call for beginning the process a few days before Thanksgiving, so it’s crucial to prepare appropriately and begin the process early.
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.
Thawing Frozen Turkey Breast in the Refrigerator
When thawing a frozen turkey breast vs. a fresh turkey breast, the same rules apply. a whole turkey. It will take roughly 1 1/2 days (36 hours) for a 6- to 7-pound turkey breast to thaw completely. Once more, ensure that the refrigerator is set to a temperature between 37 and 40 degrees.
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.
FAQ
How long does it take a 10 pound turkey breast to thaw in the refrigerator?
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, when thawing a turkey in the refrigerator, allow 24 hours of defrosting time for every 4 to 5 pounds of bird. S. Department of Agriculture. Plan for the turkey to defrost in the refrigerator for one to three days if it weighs 4 to 12 pounds.
How long does it take to defrost a 5 lb turkey breast in the refrigerator?
The turkey will thaw at a constant, secure temperature using the refrigerator, which is the safest method. Give this process one day for every 4 to 5 pounds of weight because it takes some time. It will take around four days to thaw a 16-pound turkey.
When should I take my turkey out of the freezer and thaw in the fridge?
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.
How long does it take to defrost a 7 lb 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.