Are you wondering if you should let your turkey sit out before cooking it? Look no further, because we have all the answers to your questions here.
In this TheGrillingDad.com article you’ll discover:
- Should you let a turkey sit out before cooking?
- How long can you leave a turkey at room temperature?
- And much more!
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Should You Let a Turkey Sit Out Before Cooking?
You’ve always been told not to let the turkey sit out, but now someone is telling you that it will help you to have a juicier bird. So which is it?
As with most meats, it is better to let a turkey sit out for a short period before cooking it to allow the temperature to rise. This will help the turkey meat to cook more uniformly. Be careful not to let your turkey sit too long, as this can cause bacteria to form.
Keep in mind, however, that should you forget to take the turkey out of the freezer until the last minute, you can still cook it as planned. This is because you can cook a frozen turkey using the same methods although it will take at least twice as long.
How Long Can You Leave a Raw Turkey at Room Temperature?
One of the largest debates in the cooking industry is whether or not you should let the meat sit out for a bit before cooking.
Leaving raw meat like turkey out of the refrigerator for longer than 2 hours can cause harmful bacteria to grow. When this happens and you consume it, you can put yourself at risk for food-borne illnesses.
But, all this said, it is important to allow your turkey to come to room temperature before you cook it. So pull it out of the fridge and let it sit on the counter for no more than an hour while you add the stuffing and prepare the oven.
Is it Better to Leave a Turkey Out Before You Cook it?
Although there are many dangers of leaving raw turkey out of the fridge for too long before cooking, many cooking experts believe you should leave the turkey out for a period of time to bring it to room temperature.
But at the same time, the turkey must also be kept out of the danger zone. To keep the turkey out of the danger zone, it is recommended that you only leave the turkey out for about an hour. This will allow it to rise to a warmer temperature which makes the cooking process go much faster without making you or your family sick.
Now there is little proof as to whether or not leaving your turkey out before cooking actually makes it better or not. For that reason, it is really up to your personal preference as to whether or not you want to leave your turkey out before cooking.
In our opinion, whether or not you leave your turkey out before cooking is personal preference (and whether or not your dog is liable to jump up and lick the turkey on the counter!)
Best Ways to Thaw a Turkey Before Cooking
While you can leave the turkey out before cooking for a bit, this should only be done to improve texture and flavor, not to thaw the bird.
Below are the only safe methods of thawing a turkey.
Store in Refrigerator
The best way to thaw a turkey that keeps it from being exposed to the danger zone is to store it in the refrigerator. This is because the fridge will keep it between 40℉-140℉ which will keep it safe from toxins.
Determining how long it will take a turkey to thaw in the refrigerator will depend entirely on how much the turkey weighs. Typically, you should thaw a whole turkey for 24 hours per 4-5 pounds of weight it has.
For example, if you purchase a 15-pound turkey, it will take 72 hours, or 3 days for the bird to thaw completely. If you plan to cook the turkey on Thursday, this means you will need to take it out of the freezer by late Sunday or early Monday morning.
Immerse in Cold Water
Another method you can use to thaw the turkey is by using the cold water method, which many people prefer. This is also a chosen method for those who have forgotten to take it out of the refrigerator and want to cook it the same day.
This method requires you to immerse the entire bird in a container of cold water until it is completely thawed(we recommend getting a cooler dedicated to turkey thawing). Keep in mind that the water in the container will need to be changed out from time to time to ensure that it is only ice-cold water in it.
When you initially immerse the turkey, you will need to ensure that the water is extremely cold and covers the bird completely. Once immersed, the water should be traded out about every 30 minutes for the best results.
When it comes to the time it takes to thaw a turkey using this method, you will need to calculate about 30 minutes per pound of turkey. This means if your turkey is 15 pounds, it will take about 7.5 hours to thaw.
Another thing to keep in mind about using this method is that the turkey will need to be cooked immediately after the bird is thawed. This is because using this method raises the temperature of the turkey and exposes it to the danger zone where harmful bacteria grows.
What is the Recommended Internal Temperature for a Turkey?
For all poultry items, it is recommended that the internal temperature reach 165℉ before it is considered safe to consume. This means that you should have a meat thermometer handy whichever method you choose.
Most people, tend to cook the turkey to about 160℉ since it will continue to cook during the resting stage. Resting the turkey is suggested no matter which method you choose since it is the process that returns the juiciness to the rest of the bird.
Related >> Turkey Cooking Temperature: 325 vs 350 – Which One is Best?
How Long Can You Leave Leftovers Out of the Fridge?
After you have finished the cooking process and have enjoyed your meal, you may be wondering just how long you can keep the turkey out before it goes bad. This is one of the most common questions since you may get distracted especially if you have friends and family over for dinner.
USDA guidelines suggest that any food, whether it has been cooked or not, should be refrigerated or tossed within 2 hours. This is because when food sits for a long period in the danger zone, you are risking dangerous bacteria from growing.
Once you have successfully finished your meal, you should get the leftovers into the fridge within this 2-hour time frame. Eating food that has not been refrigerated within that time can put you and others at risk of food poisoning.
It is also important to keep in mind that if you place the leftovers in the refrigerator, they may only last up to a week before it goes bad. You can also store the leftovers in the freezer for up to two months before it begins to dry out.
Related >> How Long Does Turkey Last in the Fridge?
