For a better chance of your turkey staying fresh during the thawing process, you should defrost it in the refrigerator. You can also place it in a cooler or tub with cold water to ensure that the temperature stays near 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
How long can you keep a frozen turkey?
A properly frozen turkey can last in a home freezer for up to 12 months. For a better chance of your turkey staying fresh during the thawing process, you should defrost it in the refrigerator. You can also place it in a cooler or tub with cold water to ensure that the temperature stays near 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Read more: How to preserve tomatoes?
Steps to freeze Turkey
1. The first step in freezing any kind of meat is to thoroughly clean the product.
2. Once the turkey is completely cleaned, dry it with paper towels or cloth before placing it into a freezer bag. Also, make sure that you remove the giblets and neck from the inside of the bird’s cavity before freezing it.
3. Once the turkey is in the freezer bag. You can add some ice or a cold pack to help it stay fresh during its time in the freezer. Just be sure that the freezer bag has no holes and that all of the air has been removed from it before sealing it up.
4. When placing your frozen turkey into your freezer, you should set it in an area where there is no chance of it getting knocked over. Also, try to keep the bird away from any other food products so that they don’t freeze together.
5. Make sure that your freezer stays at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or below to ensure that your turkey remains fresh throughout the year. You can place a thermometer in a visible area so that you know exactly when or if your freezer goes above this temperature.
Recommendations for keeping Turkey meat fresh
• Make sure that you check your turkey’s “fresh by” date before buying it. If the bird has an expiration date of less than one month away, do not purchase it to freeze.
• If you are trying to store your frozen turkey for more than three months, make sure that you place it in a freezer bag with an air-tight seal and remove all of the air from it. Then, place the bag into a freezer that is at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or below.
• When thawing your turkey, make sure that you do so in either the refrigerator or by using very cold water. Thawed meat needs to be cooked immediately before eating it to ensure its safety.
• Do not place your turkey directly on a countertop or table before thawing it, as this can allow bacteria to spread around your kitchen.
• If you notice that the turkey has a bad smell or any odd discoloration, do not eat it. Dispose of it in a way that will prevent other people and animals from coming into contact with it.
A properly frozen turkey can last in a home freezer for up to 12 months. Thawing the turkey is necessary before cooking it, but you should keep it refrigerated or submerged in very cold water during this process so that bacteria do not take hold and make the meat go bad. If you notice any changes in color or temperature when trying to thaw your turkey, do not eat it and dispose of it in a way that will prevent other people and animals from coming into contact with it.
