How long does it take a turkey to thaw?

[Aerows]

I bought one at around 2pm today. If I leave it in the microwave overnight will it be thawed enough to cook tomorrow? It's just a breast, not the whole thing.

[PoliticAverse]

1. Turkey thawing chart...

http://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/charts/turkeythawingchart.html

UDSA poultry thawing webpage:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/food-safety-fact-sheets/poultry-preparation/turkey-basics-safe-thawing/ct_index

[Aerows]

2. Thanks that was what I needed

so in the morning I'll put it in a water bath and it should be ready to go in the oven around noon.

I'll stick it in the fridge overnight.

[PoliticAverse]

3. The USDA recommends changing the water every 30 minutes...

apparently to keep the water from getting too warm:

From: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/food-safety-fact-sheets/poultry-preparation/turkey-basics-safe-thawing/ct_index

First be sure the turkey is in a leak-proof plastic bag to prevent cross-contamination and to prevent the turkey from absorbing water, resulting in a watery product.

Submerge the wrapped turkey in cold tap water. Change the water every 30 minutes until the turkey is thawed. Cook the turkey immediately after it is thawed.

[Aerows]

6. It's a garden variety grocery store

turkey breast, so I am pretty sure the packaging it came in can be soaked in the water.

[Major Nikon]

13. There are other reasons to replace the water

If you just dunk the turkey in cold water the water that surrounds the turkey will eventually cool to near freezing and thawing will slow considerably. So you want to use cold water, but you also want to keep the water several degrees above freezing so that convection will work to thaw the turkey. You also don't want the water to get too warm towards the end of the thawing process.

[Aerows]

14. Good tip!

Thank you for it

[Major Nikon]

15. Just replace the water every 30 mins with cold water from the tap

It should take about 30 mins per lb. If it's not thawed by the time you're ready to cook, unwrap it and place it in a big pot in the sink and keep the cold water tap running. Since the water is being replaced constantly, convection will work more efficiently and thaw faster.

[Kali]

4. I thaw mine in an ice chest on the porch

just a breast (weight?) should thaw in 24 hours easy. or run cold water over it while it is in a plastic bag in the sink or a bucket.

I wouldn't leave it in a microwave - could be some weird bacteria in there, unless you clean it really well, regularly and then the turkey itself might contaminate the microwave.

[Aerows]

5. I'm going to put it in the fridge overnight

then put it in a water bath tomorrow morning. I'm not looking to start some kind of weird bacteria colony or to poison my family.

I did pretty well with the boneless turkey I cooked by thawing in a water bath, I just wasn't sure if a full breast with bones would thaw as easily.

[Kali]

7. that sounds like it would work just fine

good luck, and remember if something goes wrong, that is what gravy is for! do you have a meat thermometer? best thing for cooking meat that you can invest in.

[Aerows]

8. I do indeed

It has been used to make a damn tasty rib roast!

And bless gravy. Covering up minor mistakes since the invention of fire!

[Skittles]

9. you want I should kick some frozen turkey ass, Aerows?

YOU KNOW I'D DO THAT FOR YOU MY SWEET; CHRISTMAS TREAT

[Aerows]

10. Merry Christmas, Skittles

I think I love you more with every post you make.

Every ass you break
Every claim you stake

I'll be watching

[Skittles]

11. best homage to stalking, ever!

WOOT!!!

[Aerows]

12. I updated it for Glee's version