Side dishes on the Thanksgiving dinner table receive a lot of plaudits, from mashed potatoes and gravy to green bean casserole and cranberry sauce. However, the Thanksgiving turkey remains the star of the show. And while many Thanksgiving dinner cooks are seasoned experts in preparing the big bird, there are still safety considerations that come along with the holiday feast.
USDA food safety expert Meredith Carothers reminds cooks to give ample time for a frozen turkey to thaw. She says you should allow 24 hours for every four to five pounds of meat to thaw in the refrigerator.
She adds that placing a turkey in a large bowl or container will help to save you from any mess while the turkey thaws. If you are planning to prepare a fresh turkey, be on the lookout for the use or freeze by date on the packaging.
That was USDA food safety expert Meredith Carothers.
