You bought a turkey, but it’s frozen solid!
However, it does require a bit of planning in advance.
That means a 25-pound bird may take more than six days to completely thaw.
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Keep the turkey in its original packaging and place it breast-side up on a roasting pan or tray.
Once thawed, the turkey can be kept in the refrigerator for up to two days.
This method is not very difficult, but does require more work and monitoring.
As a general rule, it takes about 30 minutes to defrost each pound of frozen turkey.
This means a 25-pound turkey will take about 12 and a half hours to thaw.
Fill a large sink or bucket with very cold water and completely submerge the turkey.
If your turkey starts to float, weigh it down with something heavy like a pot.
Change the water every 30 minutes.
Once your turkey is thawed, it must be cooked immediately.
you might also use a combination of the refrigerator and sink method.
Just remember that if you finish with the sink method, you have to cook your bird right away.
However, the microwave is the fastest way to defrost a turkey.
As a point of reference, it’ll take about six minutes to defrost 1 pound of frozen turkey.
Remove the turkey from its packaging and take out all clips, tags and packaged giblets.
Put the turkey on a microwave-safe plate.
Microwave in intervals, rotating and flipping the turkey in between to ensure it’s thawing evenly.
Once the turkey is fully thawed, cook it immediately.
Check the inside of your turkey to double-check there are no more ice crystals.
Can I Cook a Turkey from Frozen or Partially Frozen?
According to theUSDA, perishable foods shouldn’t be kept at room temperature for more than two hours.
If you live in a warm climate (above 90F) this time frame reduces to one hour.
We’d rather spend our time searching for new recipes and putting together our grocery list.
Cooking a big turkey feast can be stressful!
