Food Safety Issues/Defrosted Turkey

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Expert: Carol Schlitt - 11/19/2007


Question
I purchased a turkey a 20 pd frozed turkey and put it in the refrigerator to thaw.  By Thanksgiving it will have been in the frig for 10days. Will it still be safe to cook and eat?

Answer
Hi Brenda,

The recommendation is that once a turkey is fully defrosted it should be cooked within 2 days.  A 20 lb turkey takes 4 to 5 days to defrost so that would mean that it should be cooked at day 6 or 7.  That would mean that you should cook the bird immediately, slice the meat and refrigerate it until Thursday. Turkey not consumed on Thursday should be frozen for future consumption.

Carol

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Volunteer

Carol Schlitt

Expertise

I can answer questions on home food safety, sanitation, home food preservation and commercial food safety (HACCP).

Experience

I am a former Extension educator, nutrition, wellness and food safety, having retired August 1, 2010. I am a certified HACCP manager, a food safety instructor for the Illinois Department of Public Health and a 3rd party food safety and OSHA auditor of restaurants.

Organizations
International Association for Food Protection, American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (Certified CFCS), National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, St. Louis Culinary Society.

Education/Credentials
BS - University of Illinois MS - Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville

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