Turkey Still Frozen? Take This Advice!

Turkey Still Frozen? Take This Advice!
by PartyFan


OK, so you missed my tips for beginners, and your turkey is still frozen, what to do?

I have to give credit where credit is due, the best advice I have seen on this subject came 3 years ago from Ziggy M over on YahooAnswers, who got a Best Answer for it:

YahooAnswers Thaw a Turkey Question

The cold water bath works, I've done it. If you want to give it a try, here are a few tips from my past experience and research.

1. Don't use hot water. Really. Bacteria love warm and wet...

2. Leave the turkey wrapped, and putting it in a garbage bag won't hurt. The garbage bag will be needed anyways if you follow tip number four.

3. Breast side down. This is the thickest part of the turkey, and you want it under water and exchanging heat.

4. When the turkey is pliable, remove the neck and giblets from the body cavity, this will help speed the thawing. Careful with the wrapper, or re-wrap the bird in a garbage bag.

5. The common wisdom is 30 minutes in the water for every pound of turkey, and you should change the water every 30 minutes to make sure it remains cold.

6. Room temperature is not your friend! You don't want the water to reach it, nor do you want the turkey to. You want the turkey to no longer be frozen, but not be warm. Bacteria love warm and wet! Remember the Rule of 42 - degrees. Nasty things have a much harder time growing below 42 degrees.

7. If you don't want to give up your sink for the extended time it will take a large bird to thaw, improvise with a cooler, washtub, bathtub, or bucket, anything that can hold enough water and support the weight of the bird.

8. When it is thawed, or nearly so, put it back in the refrigerator. Rule of 42!

Still think Ziggy M hit the nail on the head, and provided the truly easy solution, but if you give the water bath a try, I hope these tips help out.

Good luck, and happy feasting!

PartyFan