The US Department of Agriculture is reminding people to start thawing their turkey soon if they want to eat it on Thanksgiving Day, but it depends on how you want to thaw it.
The USDA says it takes time for a turkey to thaw.
If it’s done in the refrigerator, which is recommended, it’s 24 hours for every five pounds. If done in a cold-water bath, it’s 30 minutes per pound.
Once thawed, the USDA says you should not wash the turkey because it increases the chance of cross-contamination for germs.
But if you do, you’ll need to rub down surfaces that the turkey touches including sinks, cutting boards, and countertops with hot water and soap.
It’s also recommended to use a cleaning solution to remove any residual germs.
We’ll have another story about how to properly cook your turkey in a few days.
