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Christmas

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Original poster

Any frozen turkey "experts" here?

40 replies

TwigTheWonderKid · 10/12/2022 19:39

We normally order a turkey from a local grocers. However, this year I am not up for spending almost £100 and want to try a frozen one. We want a whole tukey, not a crown.

Are they all similar or is there anywhere in particular I shoud l look?

OP posts:
stargirl1701 · 10/12/2022 19:40

If you can gamble, we got an entire goose for £5 at M&S 5 min before closing on Christmas Eve.

Original poster
TwigTheWonderKid · 10/12/2022 19:44

Noooo! Way too stressful. I absolutely could not bear the sighing I'd get from MIL if I didn't manage to deliver the turkey and she had to eat something else on Christmas Day!

OP posts:
ShoddyCustomerCare · 10/12/2022 19:49

They take days to defrost, seriously, like 50 hours!

Furball · 10/12/2022 19:52

I've bought a titchy frozen crown and it says leave in the fridge for 40 hours.

Mamamia7962 · 10/12/2022 19:53

Do you have to have turkey? I always buy a nice joint of pork/beef and then go on Christmas Eve to see if the turkeys have been reduced. I have managed to get half price turkeys before, but not bothered if I don't as have other meat to fall back on.

Original poster
TwigTheWonderKid · 10/12/2022 20:05

Yes, we (and here I mean my MIL) have to have turkey.

OP posts:
Original poster
TwigTheWonderKid · 10/12/2022 20:06

Oh Lord, do you really have to defrost in the fridge? I'll never have room for that!

OP posts:
ConnieSaks · 10/12/2022 20:16

I’ve taken the plunge and have for the first time bought a frozen one - it’s free range ‘taste the difference’ bronze turkey from Sainsbury’s (£30) - Waitrose also have a free range frozen Turkey for £29! I went for the Sainsbury’s one because it was smaller (only 3 of us for Christmas this year but, like you, I don’t want a crown - I need legs!). Both have the giblets - again essential imo!

I did intend to start defrosting on the 23rd in the (very cold) outhouse - but maybe that’s not enough time!??

RowenaCoxwell · 10/12/2022 20:24

You don’t have to defrost it in the fridge, you can put it in the garage to defrost, or if, like me, you don’t have a garage, put it in the car boot (tip from MN a few years ago!)

Inchstonesbeatmilestones · 10/12/2022 20:28

I've bought a frozen one for last couple of years and honestly, as long as you prep properly, it's lovely and tasty.

Turkey defrost calculator here:

www.omnicalculator.com/food/turkey-defrost#:~:text=Calculating%20turkey%20thaw%20time,-If%20you're&text=In%20the%20case%20of%20cold,weight%20in%20pounds%20*%2030%20minutes%20.&text=Defrosting%20in%20a%20fridge%3A%201,(1.8%20kg)%20of%20meat.

Hope that link works 😬

Blisterlip · 10/12/2022 20:31

I started to defrost mine on 23rd. It was still frozen on 25th when I came to cook it. I hat a meltdown (unlike the bastard bird) but just cooked it for longer and tested it with my meat thermometer. My son threw up Christmas Day night and I was convinced I'd poisoned everyone (I'm veggie so knew I'd be ok!) but he had tonsillitis and nobody else got ill.
So- they all said it tasted good but it stressed me out so much I'm not sure I'd repeat it. Or would put in the boot from 22nd!

Skodacool · 10/12/2022 20:39

TwigTheWonderKid · 10/12/2022 20:06

Oh Lord, do you really have to defrost in the fridge? I'll never have room for that!

Well, that’s what the hygiene people say. I guess it’s unwise to defrost it in a warm kitchen, but I’ve done it before and survived. Do you have a cool room or conservatory?
Most supermarkets do a fairly decent frozen turkey.

Original poster
TwigTheWonderKid · 10/12/2022 20:40

Just remembered that my neighbours are away for Christmas so may ask if I can put it in their fridge to defrost!

OP posts:
ConnieSaks · 10/12/2022 20:40

Thank you for the link - I will start the defrost on the 22nd as the calculator says I need 2.5 days!

picklemewalnuts · 10/12/2022 20:58

No need for fridge, with this weather! Just not in a hot kitchen.

I always brine it. Look online for a recipe. Basically water, salt sugar and spices. It sits in a bucket with the brine for a few days, finishing defrosting. It will take ages now it's so cold. Check the packaging.

I find the quality of the turkey doesn't matter when it's brined, and it's really easy and fast to cook.

Blisterlip · 10/12/2022 21:10

I should say everyone said my frozen one was v tasty and they didn't m is it was frozen (they're snobby so I simply didn't mention it )

OlleOskiFelle · 10/12/2022 21:17

I always defrosted it in the kitchen and it was fine.
Just cook it with butter, bacon over the breast, and shove lemon and an onion in it.
It'll be grand.

TheShellBeach · 10/12/2022 21:45

Tesco's frozen turkeys are usually reliable.

toastofthetown · 10/12/2022 21:48

Official advice is ten hours per kg to defrost, but I find that it needs at least an extra day to fully defrost (though my fridge is on the cooler end).

senua · 10/12/2022 21:56

picklemewalnuts · 10/12/2022 20:58

No need for fridge, with this weather! Just not in a hot kitchen.

I always brine it. Look online for a recipe. Basically water, salt sugar and spices. It sits in a bucket with the brine for a few days, finishing defrosting. It will take ages now it's so cold. Check the packaging.

I find the quality of the turkey doesn't matter when it's brined, and it's really easy and fast to cook.

I agree with this. You need to factor in defrosting time and brining time.
Brining tenderises the meat, improves texture, keeps the meat moist, adds flavour, keeps the skin crispy and makes carving easier.

toastofthetown · 10/12/2022 22:23

If you are considering brining I would definitely consider a dry brine over a wet brine. It’s easier, don’t requires as much room in the fridge, and apparently produces a better end result (I don’t eat meat so can’t vouch for any method personally). This article here goes into a lot detail on dry brining and why and how it works.

Puzzledstill · 10/12/2022 22:24

Bernard Mathews Turkey roast

Shoemadlady · 10/12/2022 22:25

My friend buys the Aldi one for £20 and then absolutely swears by brining it. She really knows her stuff in the cooking front and she reallly recommends it x

Longbarn5 · 10/12/2022 22:30

Always a large frozen crown from Tesco for me. I will take it out of freezer probably evening of 22nd and defrost in fridge.

Puzzledstill · 10/12/2022 22:34

I’m not pulling your leg Bernard Matthew give of them moist and cook from frozen