Holiday Turkey Tips

The following are a few turkey tips that might come in handy during the holidays. As a good rule of thumb, plan on serving 1 pound of turkey per person. This will allow some extras for the big eaters and the fabulous turkey sandwiches for the days after the holidays.

WHAT’S THE LARGEST-SIZED BIRD THAT WILL FIT IN MY OVEN?

	OVEN CELL SIZE	TURKEY SIZE-IN POUNDS

	Large Cell-ERD30, ERD36,	30+
	ERD48, ERD60	30+
	ERD48, ERD60
	Companion Oven-ERD48	17

PLANNING YOUR MEAL: A FEW POINTS TO REMEMBER

•Allow between 1 to 5 days for turkeys to defrost, depending on the size.

•One pound of turkey per person should be plenty.

•Follow recipe suggestions below.

•Time each side dish and the turkey to insure proper preparation, cook time, rest time, and carve time for each item. Plan out which item will be cooked first and which could be kept warm after cooking.

•Your Dacor oven has two timers that are extremely handy for large meals. Set them to remind you when to place the 2nd and 3rd dishes in the oven or on the cooktop.

PROPER THAWING OF YOUR TURKEY

Frozen turkeys may prevent bacteria from growing, but it does not kill them. Therefore, it is important to keep turkeys out of the Temperature Danger Zone- 40˚ – 140˚. Never defrost a turkey by placing it on the counter. It can cause foodborne illness.

THERE ARE TWO WAYS TO SAFELY DEFROST A TURKEY:

1.Under refrigeration. This requires adequate refrigerator space, advanced planning, and is the preferred method for defrosting a turkey. The turkey should be placed on the lowest possible shelf to prevent any juices from spilling into other foods. A high-rimmed pan ( 2-3”) is required to catch any juices. Defrost times will depend on the size of the bird. On average, it will take at least a day or two for the bird to be completely defrosted. Plan on defrosting and cooking within a two day time period.

2.Using a Large Sink and Running Water. The turkey may be defrosted by placing it in a sink full of running water or in a sink of water that will be changed every half hour. Ample room is needed for loose particles and overflow. Special care must be taken in cleaning and sanitizing every tool used in preparation of the turkey. Hot water and a bleach- based cleanser should be used to sanitize the sink and utensils used.

*Using Pure Convection. You may use Pure Convection at 135˚ to defrost a partially frozen turkey for same-day cooking. Place turkey on an oven cooking rack. It will take approximately 8-11 minutes per pound to defrost the turkey. This is not recommended with frozen solid turkeys as it will remain in the Temperature Danger Zone for too long.