When the holiday season comes around and families come together for a large dinner spread, your refrigerators shelves may be full with pies and side dishes. With space being an issue, it may complicate the necessary task of thawing the turkey. Proper thawing methods for turkey are essential to prevent harmful bacteria growth that could make someone ill. If the only space you have for thawing your turkey is on the counter, a little creative thinking will get it done quickly and safely.
Step 1
Wrap the turkey in leak-proof packaging --- such as a plastic bag --- to prevent water from getting to the turkey.
Step 2
Fill a container large container with cold water and submerge the turkey in it.
Step 3
Add ice to the water to keep it as cold as possible.
Step 4
Allow the turkey to soak for 30 minutes before replacing the water with fresh cold water.
Step 5
Replace the water adding ice cubes each time to keep the water cold every 30 minutes until the turkey is completely thawed.
Tips and Warnings
- A turkey between 8 and 12 lbs. will take four to six hours to thaw. Larger turkeys may take as long as 12 hours. Begin cooking the turkey as soon as it is thawed.
- Do not thaw turkey at room temperature.
Things You'll Need
- Plastic bag
- Large container
- Ice cubes
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