help! turkey brining problem!

[themarquis]

Okay, so I feel like an idiot,

But I decided to brine the turkey this year... called my dad (who brined his last few turkeys) and got his brine recipe. I asked whether the turkey needed to be refrigerated while brining overnight -- he said, no, the brine protects the turkey form going bad, just put it in a cool place. So I put it in my pantry, which is not that cool, although our whole house is usually kept pretty cold. When I stuck it in the bucket, I did notice the inside of the turkey still had a big wad of ice in it (not totally defrosted).

I pulled it out a few minutes ago and am getting ready to stick it in, so I went online to get some info about how long to cook it ...

then I came across all these brining sites saying that you have to refrigerate it when you brine it ....

so now I'm thinking --- am I going to poison everyone??? Those of you who have brined turkeys, did you refrigerate it?

This is an amish free-range turkey, btw (not sure if that makes a difference...?)

I really don't want to throw it out ... what do you guys think ...?

 

[bekkiz]

I think you SHOULD be ok. Many places I have read suggest keeping the bucket or cooler in a cool place in your house, like the garage or basement. Most people can't fit something that big in the fridge anyway.

I would check the temp of the brine. If it's under 40 degrees, you're def. good to go. Above 40...I think it's ok, but I don't know for sure.

 

[Jenn]

I did refrigerate mine. I had to take shelves out to fit it, but I was able to. In colder climates, you can also leave it outside.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I have been watching Alton Brown on the Foodnetwork and when he brines, he leaves the turkey in brine with ice, not refrigerated, overnight. So, if your turkey had ice in it when you started, I think it would still be ok. Just think of all the years we defrosted turkeys on the counter over night and lived.

 

[clarabelle]

Make sure you cook the turkey until it is 161 degrees

 

[GraysMom]

I think you should be OK. We usually put our turkey out in the garage (last night it was in the upper 30's here).

 

[themarquis]

thanks guys -- its in the oven

lets hope I don't poison everyone!

 

[Papa Deuce]

thanks guys -- its in the oven

lets hope I don't poison everyone!

You should be fine. I put mine outside last night in a covered bucket. It was UNBELIEVEABLY tasty!

 

[jipsy]

You'll be fine.

I always mix my brine with a gallon of ice water and leave it out on the screened in porch (covered of course) overnight.

 

[Anewman]

Just make sure it is FULLY cooked and you should be fine.