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Post by maryland on Nov 15, 2017 15:38:33 GMT
First time ever being able to host a holiday! So I have never cooked a turkey, and just bought our 20 pd. frozen turkey today. Sorry to ask such dumb questions, but I have no idea when to put it in the refrigerator to defrost. We will cook it Wed. or Thurs. depending on how long it takes.
So excited to finally host a dinner! But even more excited to finally get to watch the Macy's parade while we cook!
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Post by lbp on Nov 15, 2017 15:57:02 GMT
That will probably take 3-4 days in fridge to defrost. The standard for cooking a turkey is 20 minutes per lb or when the temp reaches160 - 165 degrees on your meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the turkey.
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tracylynn
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Post by tracylynn on Nov 15, 2017 16:03:59 GMT
If you put it in the freezer when you brought it home, I would take it out no later than Monday morning.
I would wait and cook it Thursday morning. It'll probably take around 5 hours to cook a turkey that big.
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Grom Pea
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Post by Grom Pea on Nov 15, 2017 16:06:12 GMT
Get some Reynolds cooking bags, makes cooking turkey a snap. Don't forget to remove the neck and giblets from both ends of the cavity, and like everyone said make sure you have about 4 days to defrost a bird that big.
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perumbula
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Post by perumbula on Nov 15, 2017 16:38:22 GMT
I second the Reynolds cooking bags. I prefer to do it without, but my mom has been using them for decades and it makes cooking a turkey completely fuss free. BTW, basting doesn't' do a dang thing for your bird. Don't worry about it.
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Deleted
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May 18, 2024 5:25:52 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2017 16:46:11 GMT
The general rule for defrosting a turkey is allow a day for every 4lb of turkey. So 5 days in the fridge for a 20lb one.
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Post by calgaryscrapper on Nov 15, 2017 16:54:34 GMT
Keep it in it's original wrapping. Place on a tray or pan in the fridge as water etc will release as it defrosts. Place turkey on a lower shelf. I put it in our second fridge. Check it the nite before to see if it is defrosting. Also, rinse your turkey inside and out after defrosting. Clean the sink and utensils real good. I like to use some of the leftovers in shepherd's pie instead of beef. I pre-cook my carrots a little for in the shepherd's pie.
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valincal
Drama Llama
Southern Alberta
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Post by valincal on Nov 15, 2017 16:55:28 GMT
The general rule for defrosting a turkey is allow a day for every 4lb of turkey. So 5 days in the fridge for a 20lb one. Yes, as someone who has had to deal with frozen turkeys the day of, I'd give it the 5 days. If it still frozen the night before or on Thanksgiving morning, place it in a sink of cold water and refresh the water until the turkey is defrosted. To to avoid this hassle, I order and cook a fresh turkey. |
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tduby1
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Post by tduby1 on Nov 15, 2017 16:57:01 GMT
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kelly8875
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Post by kelly8875 on Nov 15, 2017 17:45:11 GMT
Go to the Butterball website. They have great calculators for thawing and cooking times based on the size of your bird  I use them every time I roast a turkey and it always comes out perfect |
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Deleted
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May 18, 2024 5:25:52 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2017 18:02:15 GMT
Defrosting also depends on your refrigerator. My spare refrigerator runs colder than my main refrigerator so it takes a bit longer than the 1 day per 4 lbs. to defrost. I usually remove the wrapper and any large chucks of ice the evening before I plan to cook the turkey.
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Post by maryland on Nov 15, 2017 19:10:46 GMT
Thanks everyone! You all are the best!
Another question, can you freeze the leftover turkey? We do plan to eat turkey for the remainder of the weekend, but with 9 people eating dinner on Thanksgiving, and it being a 20 pd. turkey, I am sure we will have a lot leftover.
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Post by Tammiem2pnc1 on Nov 15, 2017 19:22:31 GMT
Those reynolds bags are the best and makes turkey baking so much easier. I would give a 20 pound turkey a good 4 or 5 days in the fridge to thaw it. Mine always seem to take forever to thaw for some reason, maybe our fridge is too cold? who knows.
Once you cook the turkey you can refreeze it for later :-)
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Post by caspad on Nov 15, 2017 20:53:11 GMT
maryland send people home with leftover turkey and stuffing for sandwiches! that's the best part of Thanksgiving!
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Post by zztop11 on Nov 15, 2017 22:17:17 GMT
Get some Reynolds cooking bags, makes cooking turkey a snap. Don't forget to remove the neck and giblets from both ends of the cavity, and like everyone said make sure you have about 4 days to defrost a bird that big. Definitely agree with this. These cooking bags make cooking a turkey a snap. You can't go wrong!!! |
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Post by calgaryscrapper on Nov 15, 2017 22:19:38 GMT
I like making turkey soup a couple of days later and shepherd's pie with leftover turkey,potatoes etc
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Post by cadoodlebug on Nov 15, 2017 22:27:57 GMT
Thanks everyone! You all are the best! Another question, can you freeze the leftover turkey? We do plan to eat turkey for the remainder of the weekend, but with 9 people eating dinner on Thanksgiving, and it being a 20 pd. turkey, I am sure we will have a lot leftover. Don't count on it ~ I buy a 10-12 lb turkey for the 3 of us and there is usually very little leftover after eating leftovers for a few days.  But, yes you can freeze leftovers. I buy one of those little disposable white pop-up thermometers, stick it in the turkey and take the bird out when the pop-up thingee pops up! I also simmer the carcass for turkey stock and freeze it in portions to make turkey noodle soup. Good luck ~ it really isn't hard ~ the hardest thing will be getting it into your oven. Let someone help you. ETA: I don't stuff my turkey, it takes less time and there is no chance of people getting sick.  |
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Post by maryland on Nov 15, 2017 23:19:37 GMT
maryland send people home with leftover turkey and stuffing for sandwiches! that's the best part of Thanksgiving! I was going to get containers at the Dollar Tree and give my inlaws some to take home with them! Everyone is traveling, but inlaws own a 2nd home (apt.) about 30 min. from us so they will stay there. Sil and bil will stay near us at a hotel. |
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Post by maryland on Nov 15, 2017 23:21:52 GMT
Thanks everyone! You all are the best! Another question, can you freeze the leftover turkey? We do plan to eat turkey for the remainder of the weekend, but with 9 people eating dinner on Thanksgiving, and it being a 20 pd. turkey, I am sure we will have a lot leftover. Don't count on it ~ I buy a 10-12 lb turkey for the 3 of us and there is usually very little leftover after eating leftovers for a few days. But, yes you can freeze leftovers. I buy one of those little disposable white pop-up thermometers, stick it in the turkey and take the bird out when the pop-up thingee pops up! I also simmer the carcass for turkey stock and freeze it in portions to make turkey noodle soup. Good luck ~ it really isn't hard ~ the hardest thing will be getting it into your oven. Let someone help you. ETA: I don't stuff my turkey, it takes less time and there is no chance of people getting sick. We don't stuff it either, but that's good to know it will take less time! We are big eaters, and we will eat at 1:00pm so everyone will just eat leftovers for dinner too! You are probably right, we won't have as much left as we expect. |
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Post by cadoodlebug on Nov 15, 2017 23:24:11 GMT
Don't count on it ~ I buy a 10-12 lb turkey for the 3 of us and there is usually very little leftover after eating leftovers for a few days. But, yes you can freeze leftovers. I buy one of those little disposable white pop-up thermometers, stick it in the turkey and take the bird out when the pop-up thingee pops up! I also simmer the carcass for turkey stock and freeze it in portions to make turkey noodle soup. Good luck ~ it really isn't hard ~ the hardest thing will be getting it into your oven. Let someone help you. ETA: I don't stuff my turkey, it takes less time and there is no chance of people getting sick. We don't stuff it either, but that's good to know it will take less time! We are big eaters, and we will eat at 1:00pm so everyone will just eat leftovers for dinner too! You are probably right, we won't have as much left as we expect. Have lots of gravy and white bread on hand for open face turkey sandwiches for an easy dinner ~ if anyone is still hungry. |
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PrettyInPeank
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,691
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Post by PrettyInPeank on Nov 15, 2017 23:33:19 GMT
Google how to carve the turkey, too! I'm sure there's YouTube videos!
Typically the host/cook carves the turkey. Our first year we were both a little embarrassed because we weren't really sure where to start!
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PrettyInPeank
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Posts: 4,691
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Post by PrettyInPeank on Nov 15, 2017 23:36:36 GMT
Here, I found a good one for you! |
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I use them every time I roast a turkey and it always comes out perfect 
But, yes you can freeze leftovers. I buy one of those little disposable white pop-up thermometers, stick it in the turkey and take the bird out when the pop-up thingee pops up! I also simmer the carcass for turkey stock and freeze it in portions to make turkey noodle soup. Good luck ~ it really isn't hard ~ the hardest thing will be getting it into your oven. Let someone help you.
