Do you ever wonder how the Pilgrims and Indians managed to prepare and serve that first Thanksgiving feast?
Thanksgiving meals today can be quite an undertaking even with all our modern conveniences. How do you prepare a turkey that is moist, delicious, and safe to eat? Read on for some turkey tips.
You should plan for about one pound of turkey per person, or a pound and a half per person if you want plenty for leftovers. A frozen turkey can be bought months ahead and stored in the freezer, but a fresh turkey should be bought only one to two days ahead. Fresh turkeys may be frozen for up to 12 months. Smoked turkeys are fully cooked and simply need to be heated unless the label says otherwise. Store a smoked turkey in its original wrapping for up to one week in the refrigerator. Once the package has been opened, use it within three to four days.
If you choose to purchase a frozen turkey, make sure you thaw it safely to prevent foodborne illness. When thawing a turkey in the refrigerator, plan ahead and allow approximately 24 hours for each 4 to 5 pounds. Thaw the bird in a refrigerator set at 40°F or below. Place the turkey in a container to prevent any juices that may leak from dripping on other foods. For example, a 12-to-16-pound turkey will take about 3 to 4 days to thaw in the refrigerator. A thawed turkey can remain in the refrigerator for one to two days before cooking. If you don’t have time to wait for the turkey to thaw in the refrigerator, you can thaw the bird in cold water. Allow about 30 minutes per pound and be sure the turkey is in a leak-proof plastic bag to prevent the turkey from absorbing water. Submerge the wrapped turkey in cold tap water and change the water every 30 minutes until the turkey is thawed. If you use the cold-water method to thaw, cook the turkey immediately after it is thawed. To give an idea of how long it will take to thaw using this method, plan for about 6 to 8 hours to thaw a 12-to-16-pound turkey. If your microwave oven is large enough, you can also defrost the turkey in it. A turkey thawed in the microwave must be cooked immediately.
When you are ready to cook the turkey, be sure to use a food thermometer to ensure a safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F. Set your oven temperature no lower than 325°F. Preheating is not necessary. Be sure the turkey is completely thawed before cooking. Place the turkey breast-side up on a flat wire rack in a shallow roasting pan that is 2 to 2 1/2 inches deep. It will take about 3 to 3 3/4 hours for an unstuffed turkey that weighs 12 to 14 pounds to cook.
For the best safety practices, cook stuffing separately in a casserole dish. If you choose to stuff your turkey, mix ingredients just before stuffing and stuff loosely. Additional cooking time will be required for the turkey and stuffing to reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F.
Let the bird stand 20 minutes before carving the turkey.
Happy Thanksgiving!
