Turkey Help!

[justjulie]

My husband was given a turkey today. He works on a construction site so there's not really anywhere to keep it really cold so it's starting to defrost. I don't want to put it in the freezer if it's already started to thaw but if I put it in the fridge how long will it last? We're away over Christmas so I wouldn't be able to cook it until next week and I'm not sure if I'm comfortable with that ...

Turkey experts, your opinions please ...

 

[Frantasmic]

It will thaw in the fridge by Sunday if put in today.

It won't be good when you return.

I'd thaw it and cook it before you leave and cut up the meat and freeze that.

 

[justjulie]

That's the problems I'll be away by Sunday. I think I'll call my girlfriend and tell her not to take her bird out of the freezer and use mine instead. I'd hate to see it go to waste ...

 

[Frantasmic]

Fill up a dutch oven or other large pot with water and put the turkey and water in your fridge. It will thaw by Friday or Saturday and you can cook it then.

But, your plan sounds good too.

 

[poohandwendy]

You could also donate it to a homeless shelter or local church where they could give it to a needy family.

 

[Frantasmic]

Does the North America heat wave extend that far north? I'd suspect that you could leave a frozen turkey in your trunk in Canada and it wouldn't thaw this time of year.

 

[damo]

Does the North America heat wave extend that far north? I'd suspect that you could leave a frozen turkey in your trunk in Canada and it wouldn't thaw this time of year.

8 degrees Celsius here in Toronto (46 degrees F). We're sending our warm weather down to you guys.

 

[poohandwendy]

Does the North America heat wave extend that far north? I'd suspect that you could leave a frozen turkey in your trunk in Canada and it wouldn't thaw this time of year.

I was wondering the same thing. I would think it would be safe to put rigt back in the freezer when he gets home.

 

[justjulie]

Let's put it this way - may kids have been going to school in spring jackets and the lady who walks her daughter to school has been wearing shorts. There's not a speck of snow anywhere and we're not expecting any until after Christmas ...

 

[hlbtimes2]

Its not going to defrost that much before your husband brings it home. I'm guessing it wil still be rock hard. I would just throw it in the freezer when he gets home. If you dont want to refreeze it you would probably be fine to cook it next week. It takes about 1 day per 4 pounds of turkey to defrost in the fridge. So, you are probably looking at 4-5 days to thaw. That gets us to about Sunday/Monday. Then its not going to go bad that day. Its going to be fine for at least 2-3 days, probably longer. Most meat is good for at least a few days in the fridge. So, you are looking at a good 6-9 days, getting you well into next week.

 

[justjulie]

Well the bird was indeed partially defrosted by the time it got home so it's in my fridge. Fresh birds arrived for purchase at the stores yesterday so I'm thinking they must be OK until Monday or they wouldn't be selling them - am I worrying for nothing?