With Thanksgiving right around the corner, we need to keep a few food safety tips in mind.
Let’s start with how much turkey do you need per person and then how do we need to thaw our turkeys if they are frozen.
When purchasing your turkeys, if frozen, you will need to figure about 1 pound per person. You can purchase ahead of time when they are on sale and then keep them frozen until you are ready to start the thawing process. Frozen turkeys keep well in the freezer but are best if they are used within one year for the best quality.
When you are ready to start your thawing process, there are three different methods to safely thaw your turkey.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service, you can thaw your turkey in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave.
If thawing in the refrigerator, it must be at 40 degrees F. or below. You will need to allow 24 hours for every 4-5 pounds. Keep the turkey in its original packaging and place in a tray or pan to keep the juices from leaking into your refrigerator. Once the turkey is thawed, it can remain in the refrigerator for up to two days. If necessary, the turkey can be refrozen if it has been properly thawed in the refrigerator.
To thaw in cold water, you will need to allow approximately 30 minutes per pound. Wrap your turkey securely, making sure the water is not able to leak through the wrapping. Then submerge your wrapped turkey in cold tap water. It is very important to change the water every 30 minutes. Once the turkey is thawed, you must cook it immediately. Do not refreeze the turkey after this method is used.
If thawing with the Microwave method, you will need to check your owner’s manual for the size of turkey that will fit in your microwave oven, for the minutes per pound and level of power to use. Once this is determined, you need to remove all the wrapping and place the turkey on a microwave-safe dish to catch any juices that may leak. Begin cooking your turkey immediately. You must not refreeze or refrigerate your turkey after thawing in a microwave.
For more information on thawing and cooking your Thanksgiving turkeys, please contact Denise at the County Extension Office at 361275-0816 or email dgoebel@ ag.tamu.edu I have a great resource for you called “Let’s Talk Turkey.” It has everything from thawing to roasting to storing your leftovers and cooking options and hints.
One thing to remember is to always refrigerate your leftovers within two hours of being set out to serve. Keep your family safe from food borne illnesses. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
