Frozen turkey must be thawed completely before it is cooked. It may take hours or even days to defrost a turkey. Many people are in the dark about the process of defrosting the bird and do not know the most appropriate method to use for the same. They often end up in defrosting in an incorrect way, which results in the growth of harmful bacteria in the meat. It is essential to follow the proper methods of defrosting turkey, if you want the dish to taste delicious. Go through the article to know about the best ways of defrosting a turkey.
How To Defrost A Turkey
Refrigeration:
This is one of the most popular methods of defrosting a turkey. Set the temperature of your refrigerator on around 40 degrees F. Now, place the turkey on a plate and put it in the refrigerator. Keep a pan underneath the turkey, to catch the drippings. The refrigerator should be emptied before starting the thawing process. The thawing will take around 24 hours, for every five pounds of turkey.
Microwave:
A low to medium energy setting will be optimum for defrosting a turkey in a microwave. Each pound of the turkey will require 6 minutes of thawing by this method. While defrosting the meat, make sure to rotate it occasionally, from one end to the other.
Cold Water Method:
The cold water method is a fast way to defrost a turkey. Thawing process fastens up when you place the turkey in a pot filled with cold water. Cover the pot with a lid. Be sure to wrap the turkey in a leak proof package, because the meat can absorb moisture and become watery. Thawing process will take around 30 minutes per pound of the turkey.
Tips
- Do not thaw pre-stuffed turkey.
- The turkey should be defrosted at optimum temperatures, which should never go beyond 40 degrees F. Temperature beyond this can result in bacterial growth inside the meat.
- Remember to wash your hands thoroughly before working on the raw turkey.
