Do you need to know how to thaw a turkey quickly and safely? If you are planning on cooking your frozen turkey, then you most likely will want to thaw it. There are three methods which you can use to defrost a turkey.

The turkey is a favorite food for Christmas, Thanksgiving, and just about any time of the year. Turkey goes well with mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potatoes, potato salad, and many more dishes. It can even be used to make soups, stews, sandwiches, and meat pies. Knowing how to safely and properly thaw a turkey is a great skill to have for any cook.

• If you bought a frozen, unstuffed turkey, chances are you will want to thaw it. You may be tempted to pull the turkey out, plop it on the counter, and wait a few hours. However, turkeys should never be thawed at room temperature.http://wellnessways.aces.illinois.edu/Commodity/tg_Turkey.pdf Because turkeys can contain Salmonella, campylobacter and other bacteria, it is just as important that you thaw your turkey properly as it is to cook it.http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.3a0656639de62ad593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=d6b7c0b266e35110VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&autonomy_kw=easy%20turkey&rsc=ns2006_m9

1. You should not thaw frozen pre-stuffed turkey.http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/HGIC3560.htm
2. Thaw fully cooked smoked or baked turkeys using the refrigerator method.http://www.butterball.com/tips-how-tos/how-tos/thaw
3. Remember to thoroughly wash your hands and anything that comes into contact with raw turkey.http://healthlink.mcw.edu/article/973893213.html

• Thawing your turkey in the refrigerator is the safest method and will provide you with the best finished product.http://www.eatturkey.com/consumer/cookinfo/turthaw.html However, it is also the slowest method so you will need to plan in advance.http://healthlink.mcw.edu/article/973893213.html Plan on 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds of turkey.http://www.eatturkey.com/consumer/cookinfo/turthaw.html

1. Your refrigerator should be set to about 40 degrees Fahrenheit.http://healthlink.mcw.edu/article/973893213.html
2. Keep the turkey in the original, unopened wrapper.http://www.fsis.usda.gov/FactSheets/Lets_Talk_Turkey/index.asp http://www.butterball.com/tips-how-tos/how-tos/thaw How to Thaw]
3. Place the turkey breast side up on a shallow tray or pan.http://www.butterball.com/tips-how-tos/how-tos/thaw This will prevent the juices from dripping onto fresh foods.http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/HGIC3560.htm
4. Set on the lowest shelf of your refrigerator, away from other food.http://wellnessways.aces.illinois.edu/Commodity/tg_Turkey.pdf
5. A thawed turkey needs to be used within 48 hours.http://www.fsis.usda.gov/FactSheets/Lets_Talk_Turkey/index.asp Do not keep it in your refrigerator for longer than one to two days.http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/HGIC3560.htm
6. You can refreeze a turkey that has been thawed, but expect some loss in quality.http://www.fsis.usda.gov/FactSheets/Lets_Talk_Turkey/index.asp http://healthlink.mcw.edu/article/973893213.html
7. When ready to cook, wash the turkey in cold water and let it drain.http://wellnessways.aces.illinois.edu/Commodity/tg_Turkey.pdf

• Although this method is faster than using the refrigerator, it also requires the most time and attention on your part.http://healthlink.mcw.edu/article/973893213.html http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/HGIC3560.htm

1. Your turkey needs to be in a leak-proof container.http://www.health.state.mn.us/foodsafety/foods/turkey.html If the packaging is torn, place the turkey inside a plastic bag.http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/HGIC3560.htm
2. Submerge the turkey breast side down in cold tap water.http://www.butterball.com/tips-how-tos/how-tos/thaw The water should cover the turkey completely.
3. Change the water every 30 minutes to ensure the turkey stays chilled.http://www.fsis.usda.gov/FactSheets/Lets_Talk_Turkey/index.asp http://www.butterball.com/tips-how-tos/how-tos/thaw
4. It will take about 30 minutes per pound to thaw the turkey completely.http://www.eatturkey.com/consumer/cookinfo/turthaw.html
5. Once it is thawed, cook the turkey immediately.http://www.fsis.usda.gov/FactSheets/Lets_Talk_Turkey/index.asp
6. Do not refreeze a turkey thawed using this method.http://www.health.state.mn.us/foodsafety/foods/turkey.html

• In order to thaw a turkey using your microwave, you will need to check your owner's manual to see if it is possible.

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/FactSheets/Lets_Talk_Turkey/index.asp Some microwaves are not capable of handling larger turkeys.http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/HGIC3560.htm The owner's manual will also tell you the minutes per pound and the power level necessary for your turkey.http://www.fsis.usda.gov/FactSheets/Lets_Talk_Turkey/index.asp

1. Remove any outside wrapping on the turkey.http://www.fsis.usda.gov/FactSheets/Lets_Talk_Turkey/index.asp
2. Place the turkey on a microwave-safe dish to catch any drips.http://www.health.state.mn.us/foodsafety/foods/turkey.html
3. Microwave-thawed turkeys must be cooked immediately after thawing because some parts of the turkey may have become warm and begun to cook.http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/HGIC3560.htm http://healthlink.mcw.edu/article/973893213.html
4. Be careful when handling microwave-thawed turkeys because bacteria present will not have been destroyed and may have reached temperatures that allow them to grow.http://healthlink.mcw.edu/article/973893213.html
5. Do not refreeze or refrigerate your turkey if you have thawed it in the microwave until after it has been cooked.http://www.fsis.usda.gov/FactSheets/Lets_Talk_Turkey/index.asp

• If you discover at the last minute that you forgot to thaw your turkey, you can safely roast it without thawing it.http://www.fsis.usda.gov/FactSheets/Lets_Talk_Turkey/index.asp However, this method does not work for turkeys that will be stuffed.http://www.uwex.edu/ces/cty/crawford/documents/Cooking_turkey.pdf
  1. You cannot grill, smoke or deep-fry a frozen turkey.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/thanksgiving-turkey/AN01483
  2. A frozen turkey takes about 50 percent longer to cook than a thawed turkey.http://wellnessways.aces.illinois.edu/Commodity/tg_Turkey.pdf
  3. Remove the giblet package with a tongs or forks when the turkey has thawed enough in the oven.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/thanksgiving-turkey/AN01483