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Turkey can be thawed a number of different ways. However, it is important that the turkey is always kept at a safe temperature (around or below 40 degrees) when thawing. The best way to thaw a turkey is to thaw it in the refrigerator, where the temperature is constant and controlled. Thawing turkey in cold water is another way to maintain a safe temperature during the thawing process, although this involves a little more work because the water must be changed periodically to maintain this safe temperature. Thawing a turkey in the microwave is another possibility.
Regardless of the manner in which turkeys are thawed, it is important to never leave them on the countertop to thaw. Leaving a turkey out for longer than a couple of hours is unsafe because the outer layers will become warm and bacteria will mulitply while the center remains frozen. -
Because many turkeys weigh between 15 and 20 pounds, it can take a long time to thaw a completely frozen turkey at the low temperatures maintained in a refrigerator. Plan on it taking a turkey approximately 24 hours for each five pounds of meat when your refrigerator is at 40 degrees. As you can see, a turkey weighing 20 pounds would take four days to thaw, making it extremely important to plan ahead. Place the turkey on a plate, so any drips will be contained.
If you choose to thaw a turkey in cold water, it will take less time than refrigerator thawing, but it is not as fool-proof (that is, the turkey can get too warm) and is more troublesome. Place the turkey in a sink full (or tub full) of cold water, making sure the turkey is in a leak-proof bag. Change the water every 30 to 60 minutes so that it does not get too warm. Allow about 30 minutes per pound of turkey using this method.
If you use a microwave to thaw a turkey, follow the manufacturer's instructions. However, because microwaving can cause parts of the turkey to get hot while some remain very cold (or even frozen), it is important to roast the turkey right after thawing to prevent bacteria from multiplying. - Because it takes so long to properly thaw a turkey, it is important to plan ahead. It can take four to five days for a large turkey to completely thaw. And, because the refrigerator is the safest place to thaw a turkey, a large one can take up a fair amount of space for a long time so it is best to have fewer groceries that need to be refrigerated on hand during this time.
- It has been shown that 13 percent of turkeys are contaminated with the bacteria salmonella. This is more than the percentages of chicken and beef combined. This fact makes it particularly important to take special care in thawing and handling raw turkey. Always wash with hot, soapy water all plates, cutting boards and knives that come in contact with raw turkey before using them for any other food preparation.
- There are times of the year when turkeys are on sale and turkey is one of the most economical types of meat available. In addition, they are also very healthy and easy to prepare. Families on a budget should be able to take advantages of special prices on turkeys and stock their freezer full of them. Thawing turkeys is relatively easy to do, and the potential for inexpensive, healthy meals is endless.
