Accidentally Thawed Turkey At Room Temperature

This method is quicker than refrigerator thawing but requires more care.

Accidentally thawed turkey at room temperature. I d go ahead and try it but cook a backup as well. Another way to thaw a turkey is using cold water. Besides the fact that it is let us say unseemly to defrost a thanksgiving turkey in some random bedroom to say nothing of the bathroom thawing a turkey at room temperature is a terrible practice. A year frozen turkey will probably have suffered freezer burn and developed off flavors.

Thawing a frozen turkey on the kitchen counter or the dining room table or in any other room of your house is a huge no no. In the time it takes for the entire turkey to thaw the surface bacteria can multiply to dangerous levels. No safety issues as long as you thaw it cold. As its surface warms bacteria multiply.

It s fine to bring the bird partway to room temperature before roasting. Make a mole sauce to disguise the first one. I put the frozen turkey still in it s original packaging on the kitchen counter at room temperature to thaw for most of the day. In general allow 24 hours of thawing time for every 4 to 5 pounds of turkey.

However you thaw your turkey use a digital tip sensitive thermometer to ensure it has reached an internal temperature of 165f. I was then told that the proper way to thaw the turkey was to place it in the refridgerator or to submerge it in cold water and that thawing at room temperature could promote bacterial growth. Submerge the entire wrapped turkey in cold water.