SAFE FOOD HANDLING-THAWING THE TURKEY

SAFE FOOD HANDLING-THAWING THE TURKEY

   Thanksgiving is at the door.  As a mom, I feel compelled to review safe food handling tips to minimize risk of our families getting sick from our inattention.  So, we begin with the frozen turkey.  When you buy the turkey frozen, immediately put it in the freezer when you bring it home.  Do not let it set in the automobile, or on the table, or on the back porch.  Immediately put it in the freezer.

  We have 2 days before Thanksgiving.  We should already be thawing our turkeys in the refrigerator.  Place the bird in a dish that will contain any juices that may drip as the turkey thaws.  This reduces the risk of cross-contamination if it drips on other food, and reduces work for us (i.e. cleaning the fridge again).  We give 4-5 lbs at least 24 hours in the fridge.  So here is a table from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA):  A turkey thawed in the fridge can stay in the fridge a day or two before cooking after thawed.

Whole turkey:

•  4 to 12 pounds ……  1 to 3 days
• 12 to 16 pounds …… 3 to 4 days
• 16 to 20 pounds …… 4 to 5 days
• 20 to 24 pounds …… 5 to 6 days

 If we haven't started thawing the turkey yet, we may look at the cold water method.  Remember, we do not want to allow the turkey to set out at room temperature, because the part of the bird that is already thawed, while awaiting the innermost parts to thaw, will have the bacteria growing that was already there when the turkey was frozen initially.  So, here is a table for the cold water method according to the USDA:

Cold Water Thawing Times

•  4 to 12 pounds …… 2 to 6 hours
• 12 to 16 pounds …… 6 to 8 hours
• 16 to 20 pounds …… 8 to 10 hours
• 20 to 24 pounds …… 10 to 12 hours

A turkey thawed by the cold water method should be cooked immediately. After cooking, meat from the turkey can be refrozen.
  Remember to verify the turkey is in a leak-proof plastic bag, to minimize risk of cross-contamination, and to minimize risk that the turkey will absorb more water.  Be sure the entire turkey is submerged in the water and change the water every thirty minutes.  Cook the bird as soon as it is defrosted.

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