Does anyone have experience defrosting turkeys?

[Ninbuscl]

We normally use fresh, but I got a frozen this year to avoid the Christmas crowds. It says on the packet defrost for 26-38 hours in a fridge. Is this reliable length of time? I am a little unsure as always worry about it not defrosting properly and giving everyone food poisoning

Things take days to defrost in my fridge. I'm sure nhs has guidelines for defrosting at room temperature too

I did American Thanksgiving on Thursday and started defrosting my c.5 kg turkey Monday. This worked well.

Allow 3-4 days for a good size turkey. The only year I had a frozen turkey, I took it out of the freezer the afternoon before and ended up having to defrost it under the tap which took about 40 minutes.

Gosh- defrosting under the tap sounds stressful !!

Thank you for your advice

Is it a whole turkey?

I've got a 2.5 kilo rolled crown from the butcher, he said take it out 23rd in morning at room temp then at bedtime pop in the fridge and do the same Xmas eve

I've got a meat thermometer to check when it's defrosted

I usually give myself a good 2 days. I take it out the fridge during the day, keep it in overnight (otherwise my cats would eat it) & it's never failed me yet.

We normally put it on baking tray and leave it in the porch for Christmas eve. Its almost outside temperature in there so hoovering about 2c. It would take days in the fridge.

Thanks, yes it’s a whole turkey

Assuming it is properly wrapped, put it in a bucket of cold water the day before. This seems to help with even defrosting.