SPRINGDALE, Ark. — As we inch closer to the Thanksgiving holiday most people are already buying and prepping food for the big day.
How do you cook the perfect Thanksgiving turkey? According to Google, it’s one of the most searched questions in the days leading up to the holiday.
Many are typing “how long to thaw a turkey” and “best turkey seasoning recipes” into the search bar as home cooks everywhere turn to the internet for answers. If you’re stressing over your Thanksgiving centerpiece, you’re not alone — we’ve got the tips to help you get it right safely.
When to thaw a turkey for Thanksgiving
If you're searching for when to thaw your turkey on the week of Thanksgiving, make sure you've already taken it out of the freezer. The cardinal (turkey?) rule for this age-old question is to allow at least one day of thawing for every 4 pounds of turkey. For example, if your turkey is about 8 pounds, make sure you take it out of the freezer by Tuesday morning at the latest.
Make sure to place the turkey in the refrigerator.
Deep frying a turkey safely
In the South, deep frying a turkey is a popular tradition, but it comes with a lot of risks. Before just going with it, Springdale Fire Department Captain Justin Pinkley gave a few tips to know. Pinkley stressed that by Monday evening, the Thanksgiving main course needs to already be taken out of the freezer and placed into the fridge.
"You need to get that turkey out now," Pinkley said. "If you're going to be taking care of it on Thursday, you need to let it completely thaw out."
Once your turkey is thawed out completely, the next tip when deep frying is to make sure there isn't too much oil in the fryer. Many mistakes and injuries happen when hot oil comes in contact with skin.
Between putting the turkey into the pot with too much oil or possibly tipping it over, Pinkley said to make sure you fill the pot only up to the fill line with oil.
It's also important to make sure to set the pot far enough away from your home, and is outside. The fire captain said there isn't a set distance, but 10 feet away from your house is a safe option. "Don't do it in the garage. Don't do it in the house. Don't do it next to the house. Get out in the middle of the yard," Pinkley said.
Finally, it's best to have a fire extinguisher nearby and to make sure pets and kids don't get close.
If you're wondering what happens when you don't follow these fire safety tips, Pinkley describes the demonstration the department did of incorrectly deep frying a turkey. "When you put a turkey that is not thawed out into that oil, it can spill over. You have open flame. Now you have a big fireball and if you have combustibles around, it can it can be very bad."
When you're deep frying the turkey, it should take about 45 minutes but you need a certain tool to make sure its done properly.
"Make sure to use that thermometer. Make sure it's staying in that 350 degree range and not getting any hotter than it should, but easing the turkey into it. Don't drop the turkey in there," Pinkley said.
Once the turkey is out, let the oil cool down for a couple of hours.
Thawing and deep frying a turkey may seem like simple steps, but they can make or break your Thanksgiving meal—and your safety. Always plan ahead when it comes to defrosting, and give yourself plenty of time based on your turkey’s size.
If you’re opting to deep-fry, follow all safety precautions to avoid accidents and ensure your holiday stays festive. With the right preparation, you can serve up a delicious turkey that’s the star of your Thanksgiving table.
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