Thanksgiving is right around the corner and by this time you may have already checked off the hardest part - grocery shopping. Making the list and physically shopping is a feat in itself when planning for large family gatherings, not to mention the actual meal preparation! It's more often than not that most of the focus is on the sides - casseroles, stuffing, mac and cheese and more, and sometimes the main course is forgotten. We've all been there, and if good-ole turkey tom is still in the freezer - don't fret. Here are our tips and tricks for expediting the thawing process to assist in a great-tasting, on-time Thanksgiving meal. (And if you're really in a tizzy and can't find a turkey at your local grocery - you're in luck. We'll deliver a fresh, free-range, whole turkey to your doorstep overnight.)
1. Secure your turkey in a plastic bag.
The plastic lining surrounding your turkey isn't totally waterproof so bagging it will prevent water from sneaking into the packaging.
2. Submerge your turkey in a large pot or bucket filled with cold water.
The key here is to make sure that the turkey can be completely submerged in water so that the thawing process happens evenly. You may even need to place a pan on top of the turkey to weigh it down. Additionally, it's important that the water remains cold. If the turkey reaches between 40° and 140° there is risk of food poisoning as the bird has gotten too warm, for too long, without being placed in the oven.
3. Monitor and change out the water every 30 minutes.
As mentioned above, it's important that the water remains cold, below 40° Fahrenheit. To prevent the temperature from rising, we recommend changing out the water every 30 minutes.
4. Thawing time depends on weight.
Once you've got the set up complete, thawing time will depend on the weight of your turkey. For every four pounds of frozen turkey, we recommend two hours of quick-thawing in cold water.
5. Season and bake.
Once your turkey has thawed, it's go-time. Cover with butter, season with your Market House Seasonings, pop it in the oven and you're good to go!
