It’s that time of year again! The leaves are changing color, the air is getting colder, and Thanksgiving is just around the corner. For many people, that means one thing: turkey! If you’re like most people, you’ll probably be defrosting your turkey in the fridge before cooking it. But did you know that there are actually several safe ways to defrost a turkey? We’ll take you through the different ways to do this, and give you a few tips to help you defrost your turkey safely.
How to Defrost a Turkey the Right Way
How much time you have will affect the method you’ll want to use. Let’s look into the different methods based on time here.
How to Thaw a Turkey in the Refrigerator
This is the safest way to thaw your turkey, but it will take some time. For every four pounds, you’ll need to allow for approximately one day of defrosting in the fridge. So, if you have a 16-pound turkey, it will need to spend four days in the fridge.
To do this, simply place your turkey in the fridge on a tray or in a leak-proof bag. Make sure that the turkey is completely covered and that it’s not touching any other food. You’ll want to place it on the bottom shelf of your fridge, as this is the coldest part.
Leave your turkey in the fridge until it’s fully defrosted. Once it’s defrosted, you’ll want to cook it within one or two days.
How to Thaw a Turkey in Cold Water
If you’re short on time, you can thaw your turkey in cold water. This method for thawing turkey in sink is faster than the method to thaw turkey in fridge, but it does require more attention. For every four pounds, you’ll need to allow for approximately 30 minutes of defrosting in cold water. So, if you have a 16-pound turkey, it will need to spend two hours and 30 minutes in cold water.
To do this, place your turkey in a large container of cold water. Make sure that the turkey is completely covered and that it’s not touching any other food. You’ll want to change the water every 30 minutes, and make sure that it stays cold.
Once your turkey is defrosted, you’ll want to cook it immediately.
What to Do If You Have No Time to Thaw a Turkey
If you find yourself in a bind and don’t have time to thaw your turkey, there is one last method you can try. This method is called “cooking from frozen,” and it’s exactly what it sounds like. You can cook your turkey without defrosting it first.
Cooking from frozen will take 50% longer than cooking a defrosted turkey. So, if your recipe calls for a 16-pound turkey to cook for four hours, you’ll need to cook it for six hours if it’s frozen.
Make sure to use a meat thermometer to ensure that your turkey is cooked all the way through before serving. The internal temperature of the turkey should be 165°F.
Now that you know how to defrost a turkey safely, it’s time to get cooking! We should also mention, please do not use your self-cleaning before the Holidays as that can cause oven breakdowns. We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving feast with your family and friends. And if you’re having any issues with your oven not heating or not turning on make sure to get your oven repair taken care of before the holidays. Happy cooking!
