Thawing and cooking a turkey (frozen, butter, leftover, laws)

[Hoosier]

I have a 13 lb. turkey and don't know when to begin thawing it for Thanksgiving day. And, if I want to serve dinner at 1 p.m. what time should I put the turkey in the oven? As much as I love to cook I can never master the turkey. Last year we didn't eat 'til 8 p.m., and it was still slightly pink...so it went in the microwave. Don't want to repeat that again.

[judogl44]

Rule of thumb is for every 4 lbs of turkey you need 1 day in refrig. I also have a 13 lbr. and am putting it in refrig tomorrow so on Weds I can clean it and start making turkey broth from neck/giblets. The wrapper should give you cook time-when it reaches 140 deg on your thermometer-take it out, tent it and let it rest for 1/2 hr as it'll continue cooking.

[judogl44]

Hoosier-internal temp will reach 160-165 degrees-that's when it's ready.

[foma]

I'm cooking a 12 pounder and we bought our turkey today. It says on the turkey to start thawing 3-4 days in advance so I'll switch over to the fridge on Monday. I'm cooking it in one of those oven bags and the direction says 3 hours I think. Good luck! I need it, too, so I can only share half of my luck with you hoosier. This will be my first time cooking a turkey ... and my inlaws are going to be there!

[BlueWillowPlate]

I began thawing a 13 pounder two days ago and it still feels hard as a rock.
I think we are going to roast two turkeys to have plenty of leftovers.
I was going to buy a fresh one as well, but haven't yet.
There was a lady there buying a fresh turkey to have for Thanksgiving, she said it will be fine sitting in the fridge for a week. Is this true?

[ontheroad]

I wouldn't keep a turkey in the refrigerator uncooked for a week. Here's something I found on line by calling up turkey fresh:

Buy a fresh turkey one to two days before you will be cooking it. Some labels can be helpful by including a sell by date. The sell by date is the last date the store can sell the turkey as fresh. The turkey will maintain optimal quality and safety one to two days after that date. Avoid selecting a turkey that is stacked above the top of the store's refrigerator case. Remember, once you get your fresh turkey home, refrigerate it right away, and use it within one to two days. Calling the supermarket in advance to reserve your fresh turkey is a good idea.

[Paula Lynn]

"When" I used to cook, I'd keep the turkey in the frig 3 days before, no matter what size.

[Hoosier]

Well I just put mine in the fridge today just to play it safe! As I remember there was still some iciness in the middle of the bird last year. Not gonna have that problem again!

[judogl44]

Hoosier-if it's still slightly frozen T-giving morning soak it in cold water in the sink-changing water every 1/2 hr.

[Miss Blue]

I just bought a 26 pound frozen butterball bird this morning..I have him sitting out in the screened in back porch where the temp is about 59 degrees today, but will get a little colder tonight..If he isn't mostly thawed byTuesday evening, I will bring him in and use the water in the sink thing..I usually cook my turkey at 275 overnight on Wednesday beginning around 1 am..Slow cooking has always worked well for me, keeps it juicy, plus frees up my oven in the morning for the big spiral ham..Blue has many children, grandchildren and friends to dinner..Am expecting at least 21 family "fer shurs" and several of their friends are probablys