Fresh turkey bought 19th - to eat on the 25th.

10 replies

Iwant2beJessicaFletcher · 20/12/2023 14:00

Just checking with the wisdom of MN. I bought a fresh turkey on the 19th and its in the fridge (temp 2 degrees). Use by date is the 26th.

I was planning on leaving it in the fridge until cooking it on 25th for lunch.

However, my DM is horrified by this & thinks I shouldn't have bought one til 23rd as it will go off.

I bought it from a supermarket, have stored it correctly & will cool it throughly on 25th. Surely any turkey I buy on 23rd will have been from the same 'batch' as this one but would have been sat around at the supermarket fridge rather than mine.

I don't want to freeze it as I'm not sure how long it will take to defrost (it's 8kg).

Can anyone advise if I'm right, or if DM is or what I should do now. This is the 1st year I'm cooking Xmas lunch & I don't want any mishaps (cooking for 12 people).

Thanks

OP posts:

mathanxiety · 20/12/2023 14:01

Freeze it now.

Take it out of the freezer on Christmas Eve morning.

dementedpixie · 20/12/2023 14:02

If its dated 26th then it will be fine to cook on Christmas day

Ostryga · 20/12/2023 14:03

Yes it will be fine! Don’t freeze it and unfreeze (also it won’t be properly defrosted by Christmas morning if you take it out Xmas eve morning)

MaggieFS · 20/12/2023 14:05

Of course it will be fine. It's still in date. I'm not sure why your DM is horrified or pp is suggesting freeze it. Why make any more work than you need.

EveryKneeShallBow · 20/12/2023 14:06

I worked in a farm shop. All the turkeys for Christmas came from the same batch, and as you say we’re all killed and packed at the same time. You will be fine.

Beamur · 20/12/2023 14:10

It should be ok on the 26th but I would probably freeze it to be on the safe side as you'll be jiggered if it isn't fresh enough on Christmas day.
Even if you freeze it today and get it out on the 23rd you'll have gained a couple of days

Theresit · 20/12/2023 14:13

It’s will still be in date, and once cooked it’ll keep for 72 hours in the fridge.

Wbeezer · 20/12/2023 14:17

I would probably cook it on the 24 th, then carve and gently reheat for Xmas dinner. Not as spectacular on the table but makes life easier too.

autienotnaughty · 20/12/2023 17:15

The dates are normally fine but I would be worried if it starts to go off. I'd freeze and defrost on Xmas eve to be on safe side

EddieHoweBlackandWhiteArmy · 20/12/2023 17:17

Yes it will be fine!
if cooking for twelve would you perhaps consider cooking on Christmas Eve?

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