With Thanksgiving just a week away, WWL-TV’s Chef Kevin Belton is reminding home cooks that safe turkey prep starts long before the oven heats up.
Belton says one of the biggest mistakes people make is underestimating how long it takes to thaw a frozen bird.
“Turkeys take about 24 hours for every four to five pounds to thaw,” he explains.
That means a 20-pound turkey needs roughly four full days in the refrigerator before it’s ready to cook.
If you’re short on time, or patience, Belton says a fresh turkey can spare you some stress. Fresh birds can be purchased closer to Thanksgiving and safely stored in the refrigerator for a day or two before Thursday’s feast.
And it’s not just the turkey that needs attention. Belton has a stern warning about side dishes:
“Do not leave them out for hours on the Thanksgiving table!” he says. Instead, keep hot dishes in a warm oven or promptly refrigerate anything that’s finished.
When the holiday meal is over, Belton says the clock keeps ticking.
“Don’t keep anything for more than about three days,” he advises. One of his own tricks is to set out to-go containers next to each dish so guests can safely take their favorites home.