HOW LONG WILL A FRESH TURKEY KEEP?
Always check the “sell by date” and cook a fresh turkey within two days of that date. 3. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO THAW A TURKEY? A good rule of thumb is to allow about a day of thawing for every five pounds of turkey if thawing in the refrigerator. 4. HOW DO I THAW A FROZEN TURKEY? The best way is in the refrigerator, never at room temperature. Another way is to place the frozen turkey in cold water, allowing about 30 minutes per pound. The water should be changed every half hour. A turkey may be defrosted in the microwave if you follow the manufacturer’s instructions and cook the bird immediately following defrosting. 5. SHOULD I STUFF THE TURKEY BEFORE COOKING? If the stuffing is not cooked and handled properly, foodborne illness could occur. To ensure that foodborne bacteria are destroyed, stuffing should reach a temperature of 165° in its center. If you are not prepared to use a meat thermometer to measure the temperature of the stuffing, then cook the stuffing outside the turkey.
