Finally got the scoop on thawing a turkey, glad I checked. Here it is for anyone who needs it:
Thawing a Frozen Turkey
Whether you have 4 days or 12 hours, you can safely thaw a frozen turkey without risking
bacterial growth. Thawing the turkey in the refrigerator is the preferred method for safety reasons
but you can also defrost it in cold water.
Never thaw turkey on the kitchen counter! Left on a kitchen counter, a frozen turkey will thaw
from the outside in. As its surface warms, the bacteria multiplies. In the time that elapses while
the turkey is thawing, the surface bacteria could multiply to dangerous levels.
For thawing in the refrigeratorÑ Place the turkey in its original wrap or on a tray in a pan
to catch the moisture that accumulates as it defrosts. Estimate at least one day of
thawing for every 6 pounds of turkey.
For thawing in cold waterÑ Place breast side down in its unopened wrapper in cold water
to cover. Change the water every 30 minutes to keep turkey surface cold. Estimate
minimum thawing time to be 1/2 the turkey's weight, plus one hour.
For thawing in the microwave ovenÑ Check your manufacturer's instructions for the size
turkey that will fit in your oven, the minutes per pound, and the power level to use for
thawing.
After thawing, remove the giblets from the neck and/or body cavities. Wash the inside and
outside with cold water and drain well. Be sure to wash utensils, cutting board, hands and
anything else that has come in contact with raw turkey in hot, soapy water. |
