OH NO

[Miss_Fortune]

We put the turkey in the fridge monday morning to thaw. Well I just took it out to make sure it was ready for tomarrow & its still frozen. The only thing thawed is the skin! Its sitting in the sink which is full of water right now, but what else can I do? I was planning on putting it in the oven tomarrow at 5:30AM! WHAT CAN I DO!? IM losing my mind!

 

[The Dynamic Duo]

fill up your tub with hot water and toss the turkey in. make sure water is very hot

 

[AppyLover2]

NO NO NO No hot water. Put in the sinkful of cold water overnight. It will thaw.

 

[Pepipony]

I brine my turkeys while thawing them. Boil 6 parts water to 1 part salt, add any seasonings you like ( sage, bay leaf, peppercorns, honey etc), pour into bucket that will be large enough to completely cover turkey plus some, pour in cold water and ice to bring to a good chill, add turkey. Since the brine is salty enough it will not promote bacterial growth and can be left out. While it is thawing the salt will draw flavor into the turkey and will not over salt it. When you get up, if turkey isnt all the way thawed then run warm water inside it, BUT, you will have to either chill or roast it asap.

 

[tshack]

My mom alsways put hers in the sink with HOT water. Try that. GOod luck!

 

[Marty]

OK look, I am a horrible cook and I"ve done the same thing. I finally found out that when I buy it frozen, to thaw it slowly in the refriderator for three days, the third day out on the counter. Ours is about 20 pounds average.

Look, do you have a Brown N Bag by any chance? That will save you, promise. Find one.

If you do, shake some flour in the brown n bag, put your turkey in it, I butter and salt and pepper the top and shove some celery in the arm pits and stuff it. You can put it in the oven NOW on 275 tonite, slow oven. And just watch it. In the morning, check and see how it's doing. You can then turn your heat up probably to 350 but do keep an eye on it. By late morning, early afternoon, Thanksgiving it should be done shortly after that. You can tell when the arms get loose and want to wind around. Trust me. I have screwed this up for years.

 

[crponies]

This might be helpful: FAQs from FSIS

 

[Miniv]

I've sunk it in warm water in the sink and change the water every few hours. Once the innerds are thawed enough to be removed (the neck and gizzards, etc) things will go a lot faster. (I don't like doing hot water because of the risk of bacteria happening.)

This might mean setting an alarm in the middle of the night to change the water, but at least you'll have a thawed turkey.

Good luck,

MA

 

[CAM]

You can always go to the store tomorrow and buy one that is already thawed. Ok, probably not what you wanted to hear. I'll shush up now.

 

[Miss_Fortune]

Well everything worked out. I called my sisters boyfriend(the chef) & he said to put it under running cold water. I wanted to get to bed though so I had my other sister(the night owl) turn off the water & put away the turkey when she went to bed. I slept from 11ish to 4ish & not well I might add. But was up in time & got the turkey in the oven by 5:30!

Now I get to wait 7+ hours to see if it was worth it. Its my first turkey & Im VERY worried at how it will come out.

Thank you all for your suggestions I just wish I had gotten them in time. I will have to try the brine idea next year.

 

[CAM]

Well everything worked out. I called my sisters boyfriend(the chef) & he said to put it under running cold water. I wanted to get to bed though so I had my other sister(the night owl) turn off the water & put away the turkey when she went to bed. I slept from 11ish to 4ish & not well I might add. But was up in time & got the turkey in the oven by 5:30!
Now I get to wait 7+ hours to see if it was worth it. Its my first turkey & Im VERY worried at how it will come out.

Thank you all for your suggestions I just wish I had gotten them in time. I will have to try the brine idea next year.

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I used to cook my turkeys for 7+ hours, getting up early and basting away throughout the day. If you are looking for an easier solution next year you can buy those cooking bags in the Turkey size and put the turkey in there to cook. A pretty large turkey can cook in 2-3 hours max and you don't have to fuss with it. It cooks in the bag with no basting required. They come out really juicy too. Now, if the Martha Stewart in you requires the other method then baste away!

 

[runamuk]

Yep cold water yank that neck and gut bag out and they thaw pretty quick and pretty safely.......

I always stuff the bird and I always plan on 7+ hours and invariably the bird is done in about 5......I cover with foil "tent" until the last hour so no basting till the end....works like a charm and never a dry bird......