Having a delicious turkey to eat this holiday season is a very exciting tradition, and one that many people look forward to. However, it is very important that you store your turkey properly, both before and after you have cooked it. Here are some great tips for storing your turkey.
If you have decided to purchase fresh turkey for your meal, then you want to make sure that you only purchase it one or two days before you plan to cook it. You also need to make sure that it is properly stored in your refrigerator during this time.
If you choose to go with a frozen turkey instead, there are multiple ways that you can go about thawing it out and cooking it. You can thaw it out in the fridge, the microwave, or in cold water. You also have the option of cooking it from its frozen state. If you choose to thaw your turkey out in the fridge, it is important that you allow 24 hours for every 4-5 pounds of turkey. This gives it plenty of time to thaw out entirely before cooking but definitely requires you to plan ahead. Microwaving your turkey will work too, but you will need to follow the specific directions for your microwave. If you've decided to use cold water, you will want to place the entire turkey in the hot water and then change the water out every 30 minutes. A good rule of thumb is 30 minutes in the water per pound of turkey.
Once you have cooked and eaten your turkey, you are now going to be dealing with all the leftovers. These are great for multiple dishes, so you want to make sure that you are saving them. The best way to do this is to store them in containers or bags in the fridge, or in freezer-safe containers or bags in the freezer. You will want to eat it within 2-3 days in the fridge or 2-6 months in the freezer.
At Interstate Cold Storage, we want to wish you a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season.
