How to Thaw a Frozen Turkey

The last thing you want do on Thanksgiving morning is defrost a 13 pound turkey in your microwave. You should not put hot water on frozen meat, and leaving a turkey on your kitchen counter is just not safe. With some foresight, you can safely defrost your turkey overnight, and keep it out of your way until you are ready to prepare it for the table.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Turkey
• Clean 5-gallon bucket
• Water
• Brick, block, or a similarly weighted waterproof item

1. On Thanksgiving Eve, put your frozen turkey into a clean five-gallon bucket. You may also use a tin tub or storage bin--anything that will hold water and is big enough to fit your turkey--but a five-gallon bucket is recommended.

2. Fill your bucket almost full with cool water. You want the turkey covered, but you still will want to be able to lift the bucket.

3. Place your brick on top of the turkey to keep it fully submerged in the water. Place your bucket outside or in an area out of your way.

4. Empty your bucket and refresh your water before you go to bed. There isn't really a set time to do this, and if you forget it's okay. Your turkey should be ready for preparation in the mornining.

Tips & Warnings

• Never put your turkey in hot water.

[momofour]

on 11/12/2008 Thanks for sharing! I usually put my turkey in a brine and let it thaw and soak up all the yummy flavors. *****