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Thawing A Big Frozen Bird

BrookwoodBrookwood Member, Moderator Posts: 13,771 ******
edited November 2019 in General Discussion
We have all heard as well as read the instructions that come with our frozen Butterball, to place frozen bird in the refrigerator to thaw for a couple days before cooking. Well, I have followed these directions year after year (because I suffer from CRS) and always find the dang turkey still frozen almost hard as a rock come Thursday morning!! :evil:

I swear that if I was to leave it in the fridge for a full week it would still not be totally thawed out. Always end up putting them in the sink filled with hot water and hoping I do not delay the Thanksgiving family plans!

For you frozen not fresh turkey afficianotto's, what is your secret to thawing your holiday turkey??
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Comments

  • Quick&DeadQuick&Dead Member Posts: 1,466 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Have a 20# butterball bird.
    Took it out of the freezer early yesterday AM and let it sit out all day and all last night. Temps in the house around 71degrees.
    This AM placed it in the refrigerator for now.
    The government has no rights. Only the people have rights which empowers the government.
    We have enough gun laws, what we need is IDIOT control.
    Blood makes you related. Loyalty makes you family.

    I thought getting old would take longer. :shock:
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  • Rocky RaabRocky Raab Member Posts: 14,496 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Sink or old ice chest with water, but NOT HOT! Cool water only or you risk setting off the nasties in the bird.

    He ain't Italian, and Sal Monella is a terrible dinner guest.
    I may be a bit crazy - but I didn't drive myself.
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  • Sam06Sam06 Member Posts: 21,244 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Put it in a cooler in the house or garage if its not too cold. Keep the lid off and check it. It takes a big bird a long time to thaw.
    RLTW

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  • Rocky RaabRocky Raab Member Posts: 14,496 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Yup. The directions should say "Start yesterday."
    I may be a bit crazy - but I didn't drive myself.
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  • BrookwoodBrookwood Member, Moderator Posts: 13,771 ******
    edited November -1
    Rocky Raab wrote:
    Sink or old ice chest with water, but NOT HOT! Cool water only or you risk setting off the nasties in the bird.

    He ain't Italian, and Sal Monella is a terrible dinner guest.

    Thanks for that heads up on the hot vs cold Rocky!! I did get sick on turkey when I was a teenager way back when but I never will forget it! Didn't eat or care for it until I was forty something. Still very far from being a favorite food item!
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  • bambihunterbambihunter Member Posts: 10,792 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've found the best way to prepare turkey for Thanksgiving is to throw it out and buy a ham. :lol::mrgreen:
    Fanatic collector of the 10mm auto.
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  • cbxjeffcbxjeff Member Posts: 17,637 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Rocky Raab has it right. Just don't invite my ex over. That turkey will never thaw. :lol:
    It's too late for me, save yourself.
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  • GrasshopperGrasshopper Member Posts: 17,041 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Just buy FRESH, never FROZEN.
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  • asopasop Member Posts: 9,019 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Just picked up our 28# turkey. Been buying these farm raised from the same people for 25 year now. Wife uses a SS pan from a "steam table" and covers it with foil. Good thing we have a big oven ;)
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  • bullshotbullshot Member Posts: 14,718 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you have to put your Turkey in a sink full of water, never use hot water, use cold only. Turkey will thaw just as fast in cold water and hot water promotes and accelerates bacterial growth.
    "Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you"
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  • Sam06Sam06 Member Posts: 21,244 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You have to thaw it for a long time. I smoke 2 12-114# birds and I started thawing them on sunday in a cooler on my sunroom. The temps range from 40-65 and in the cooler they will take 3-4 days before they thaw.

    If you do it in the refrigerator its about 5 pound a day.
    RLTW

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  • bustedkneebustedknee Member Posts: 2,001 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Grasshopper wrote:
    Just buy FRESH, never FROZEN.

    ;) Our turkey delivered himself....fresh.
    OshLdQ1.jpg
    I can't believe they misspelled "Pork and Beans!"
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  • select-fireselect-fire Member Posts: 69,524 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    https://www.thekitchn.com/turkey-tip-buy-160472
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  • jimdeerejimdeere Member, Moderator Posts: 26,277 ******
    edited November -1
    bambihunter wrote:
    I've found the best way to prepare turkey for Thanksgiving is to throw it out and buy a ham. :lol::mrgreen:
    Agree!
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  • 11b6r11b6r Member Posts: 16,584 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Shot a nice turkey Saturday.


    Food Lion says if I come back they will have me arrested.
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