can I keep an uncooked but stuffed turkey in the fridge for 3-5 hours?

[FINFAN]

I have to go to my In Laws tomorrow then come home and cook for my side. I was hoping I could stuff the bird, get it oven ready and then put it back in the fridge ( 9 am -ish) then do the in law thing, get home by 1 and get our turkey into the oven. The bird is just shy of 20 lbs...so a lot of stuffing. Any help out there?


Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving!


Pam

[FINFAN]

nvm...got my answer...no can do, not safe. Thanks anyway!

[dalepool]

I know this is late but for next year --- Yes you can. Make the dressing the night before, refrigerate dressing, then stuff the 3-5 hours prior to putting in oven. Make sure the turkey is thawed and is cold prior to stuffing. It is more of a hazzard to stuff the cold turkey with hot stuffing. Next time you do a stuffed turkey take a temp reading of the center of the dressing. This will give you an idea of how long it takes to get the dressing, thus the center of the turkey up to proper temp.

Wash hands a lot when preparing.

I have done this many times -- Just make sure both are as cold as possible.

Patty