How to Defrost a Turkey

The best thing about turkey is the amazing flavor of its meat. It is filling and delicious, and can serve an entire party without a problem. But one of the biggest problems when it comes to the turkey is defrosting it. It takes a considerable amount of time compared to other meats.

And you have to do it with extreme caution so as to avoid contamination by harmful micro-organisms. In this story, we'll share with you some methods that you can use to defrost that turkey that has been sitting in the freezer.

The best way to defrost a turkey fast is to give it some heat. By heat, we mean microwave heat. This is the fastest way to defrost a turkey. However, it can work only if you have a microwave big enough to accommodate the whole bird. Here's what you do: remove the plastic covering from the bird and place it in the microwave.

Set it to a medium to low heat setting. You need to keep flipping the turkey over at intervals. This is done because some parts of the turkey may get defrosted and some of the already defrosted parts may get cooked by the heat.

You need to remove the turkey from the fridge and place it in a container of cold water, breast facing downwards. Keep the plastic covering on the bird as you place it. This is done because turkey meat has the tendency to absorb quickly. And you don't want water seeping into the meat, do you?

The turkey should be completely immersed in the water at a temperature of about 70º F. You need to frequently change the water in the container to ensure that no harmful bacteria from the water get into the meat. With this method, each pound takes about half an hour to defrost. So, time your water changes and the entire defrosting process accordingly.

If you have time on your hands before the big cooking program, then you can try out the ice method of defrosting a turkey. For this, all you have to do is remove the turkey from the freezer compartment and place it in the fridge. This method is suitable only if you have two things: enough time before you must cook it and enough space in your refrigerator.

By enough time, we mean at least 3 days, because as said earlier, the amount of time taken for a turkey to defrost depends on its weight. In a single day, about 5 pounds of turkey will be defrosted. So, do the math and decide when you need to move it from the freezer to the fridge. Keep the turkey in the lowest shelf and in a tray to avoid water leaking out.