Fresh or Frozen Turkey... Some Things to Think About

With the holidays just right around the corner... you may want to start thinking about the kind of turkey you want to make.  A good place to start is deciding if you want a fresh or frozen turkey.

Here are some things to think about...

Choosing a fresh or frozen turkey is a matter of preference. There are some things to think about when making the decision.

Thawing Time

The biggest thing to think about when choosing a fresh versus a frozen turkey is that a fresh turkey requires no thawing. A frozen turkey will require several days of thawing (I will post a thawing guide, as well, there are different methods of thawing, some take longer than others).  Generally you have to figure 1 day for every 4 pounds... and must be thawed in the fridge or cold water thawing... cold water thawing is quicker but you still need to figure on plenty of time.

Taking Advantage of Sales

A frozen turkey will allow you to purchase it well in advance and take advantage of any sales that your area might have in early November. 

Storage

Storage is another consideration…. Do you have the freezer space to store the turkey? Take into account any other needs you might have for freezer space for the month.



Picture from William Sonoma Willie Bird Pre-Brined Fresh Turkey