Did you know that turkeys can be kept in the freezer for up to two years? If you are thinking about roasting a stuffed turkey for friends, families, and loved ones this coming Thanksgiving holiday, rest assured that any extra turkeys you may have bought from the store can be preserved in the freezer for the following year. But while it’s safe to cook a turkey that’s been in the freezer for two years, it’s usually best to cook a turkey after it’s been frozen for a year or less. Any meat that’s been frozen for two years will likely be less tasty than before, even if they are still safe for consumption. As well, a turkey that’s been pre-stuffed at the store is riskier than an unstuffed turkey due to extra handling and potential exposure to bacteria. According to Better Homes and Gardens magazine, it’s best to freeze a fresh turkey before its “use by” date on the packaging. When you are finally ready to cook a frozen turkey, make sure the bird is thawed properly. Frozen turkeys should always be thawed in the refrigerator, microwave, or under cold water, and it should never be left on the kitchen counter at room temperature. Once a turkey has been thawed, it should be cooked immediately and not be returned to the freezer. After you and your guests have finished your Thanksgiving dinner, the leftover turkey meats can be kept in the fridge for another day. For food safety, it’s best to consume leftovers in the fridge within 3-4 days.
Now that you understand the proper way to freeze and thaw a whole turkey, perhaps you will execute your next Thanksgiving turkey dinner with much greater confidence. Needless to say, the above food safety practices are applicable to both home kitchens and commercial kitchens. If you run a restaurant, a grocery store, or a catering business in Toronto, please make sure you have sufficient cold storage space to meet potential rise in customer demand before the Thanksgiving holiday. Coolmate Rentals’ fleet of rental mobile coolers, freezers, and combo freezer and cooler units are available for rent on a daily, week, or monthly (and longer) basis. Contact us today to discuss freezer rentals, and we will help you find the right mobile refrigeration solution for your business.