Turkey Conundrum

jasonjax · 11-10-2018, 07:16 AM

As usual I'm on deck for cooking this year's turkey(s). We have a new family tradition where our extended families go to a beach-house for the entire Thanksgiving week. It is fairly remote, with any "real" grocery store being a pretty good hike away.

So we leave on Saturday before the week of Thanksgiving meaning five days before the big day. I usually go fresh turkey, but I'm not keen on a fresh turkey in a fridge or cooler for five days....

My thought is to buy frozen as much as I hate to, and then let it thaw slowly in the fridge at the beach house until Turkey Day.

Thoughts? Any way to stay fresh without food safety or quality concerns besides taking a long turkey drive?

Big George's BBQ · 11-10-2018, 07:27 AM

I think you will be fine with letting the frozen turkey thaw in the fridge

Nuco59 · 11-10-2018, 07:28 AM

If it's a new tradition to have Thanksgiving at a beach house, maybe it's time to rethink all the traditional, expected, "been there done that" fare?

Do chicken and sausage gumbo instead.

If you are stuck with having to provide the traditional table, you might be stuck with trucking in a frozen bird. Is what it is.

BKING! · 11-10-2018, 07:39 AM

I’ve never had or made turkey that wasn’t frozen at some point. Is there actually a difference in quality?

jasonjax · 11-10-2018, 07:41 AM

Probably should have thought about this before posting. :)

After some reflection I'm of the mindset that I will be MORE than ready to take a 45 minute to one hour trip (each way) to go get some fresh birds Tuesday or Wednesday of Thanksgiving week after spending all that quality family time.

Nuco59 · 11-10-2018, 07:55 AM

Well there you go. Crisis averted- expectations will be met. And you get a bit of "quiet time" away during your shopping excursion.

(every time we get the extended family together, I realize why we only do it once a year. Love them dearly but dayummm.)

Rusty Kettle · 11-10-2018, 08:27 AM

You could bring a live turkey and an axe. Save the trip. Freshest turkey you will ever have.

4ever3 · 11-10-2018, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty Kettle

You could bring a live turkey and an axe. Save the trip. Freshest turkey you will ever have.

RK for the WIN!!!

Garyclaw · 11-10-2018, 08:47 AM

J, I'd make sure a fresh turkey is available in that area first. Just a thought.

16Adams · 11-10-2018, 08:51 AM

Familyitis

It’s a real deal. Take any opportunity presented to escape.

Oops forgot Salem Lights and fake snow

Robert Earl Keen
Merry Christmas from the Family- only Thanksgiving

11-10-2018, 07:16 AM	#1
jasonjax Babbling Farker Join Date: 12-20-07 Location: Ponte Vedra, Florida Name/Nickname : Jason	Turkey Conundrum As usual I'm on deck for cooking this year's turkey(s). We have a new family tradition where our extended families go to a beach-house for the entire Thanksgiving week. It is fairly remote, with any "real" grocery store being a pretty good hike away. So we leave on Saturday before the week of Thanksgiving meaning five days before the big day. I usually go fresh turkey, but I'm not keen on a fresh turkey in a fridge or cooler for five days.... My thought is to buy frozen as much as I hate to, and then let it thaw slowly in the fridge at the beach house until Turkey Day. Thoughts? Any way to stay fresh without food safety or quality concerns besides taking a long turkey drive?

11-10-2018, 07:27 AM	#2
Big George's BBQ somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 02-07-08 Location: Framingham, MA Name/Nickname : George	I think you will be fine with letting the frozen turkey thaw in the fridge __________________ Large BIG Green EGG- Hatched 8/17/09 Backwoods Extented Party- sold Weber Genesis Gasser Mid Atlantic BBQ Association KCBS Back Porch BBQ Competition BBQ Team Proud Member of the Zero Club When all else fails ask yourself WWGALD

11-10-2018, 07:28 AM	#3
Nuco59 Babbling Farker Join Date: 08-18-13 Location: Texas	If it's a new tradition to have Thanksgiving at a beach house, maybe it's time to rethink all the traditional, expected, "been there done that" fare? Do chicken and sausage gumbo instead. If you are stuck with having to provide the traditional table, you might be stuck with trucking in a frozen bird. Is what it is. __________________ I started out with nothing and I got most of it left.

11-10-2018, 07:39 AM	#4
BKING! is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 01-26-18 Location: Talbott, TN Name/Nickname : Brent	I’ve never had or made turkey that wasn’t frozen at some point. Is there actually a difference in quality? __________________ Current:Mak ⭐️ general, Weber kettle 26, camp chef 900 griddle

11-10-2018, 07:55 AM	#6
Nuco59 Babbling Farker Join Date: 08-18-13 Location: Texas	Well there you go. Crisis averted- expectations will be met. And you get a bit of "quiet time" away during your shopping excursion. (every time we get the extended family together, I realize why we only do it once a year. Love them dearly but dayummm.) __________________ I started out with nothing and I got most of it left.

11-10-2018, 07:41 AM	#5
jasonjax Babbling Farker Join Date: 12-20-07 Location: Ponte Vedra, Florida Name/Nickname : Jason	Probably should have thought about this before posting. :) After some reflection I'm of the mindset that I will be MORE than ready to take a 45 minute to one hour trip (each way) to go get some fresh birds Tuesday or Wednesday of Thanksgiving week after spending all that quality family time.

11-10-2018, 08:27 AM	#7
Rusty Kettle Babbling Farker Join Date: 07-15-13 Location: Butler PA Name/Nickname : Hey you with the face!	You could bring a live turkey and an axe. Save the trip. Freshest turkey you will ever have.

11-10-2018, 08:47 AM	#9
Garyclaw Babbling Farker Join Date: 08-05-09 Location: NE OH-IO	J, I'd make sure a fresh turkey is available in that area first. Just a thought. __________________ Gary ____________________________________ Big BarBChef built in to the Outdoor Kitchen, 2 Weber kettles, 1 UDS, Little Chief Electric, 2 Propane Fish Cookers/Turkey Fryers, a swinging grate over my [COLOR=red]Fire pit,[/COLOR][COLOR=black] Big Pig Cooker, SJS, Big Easy Oil Less. Blackstone Pizza Oven[/COLOR] "Nice talkin' to ya" :yo:

11-10-2018, 08:51 AM	#10
16Adams somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 01-16-13 Location: USA	Familyitis It’s a real deal. Take any opportunity presented to escape. Oops forgot Salem Lights and fake snow Robert Earl Keen Merry Christmas from the Family- only Thanksgiving Last edited by 16Adams; 11-10-2018 at 08:58 AM..