Don't forget to defrost your turkey.

[Barbaraann]

The day before Thanksgiving is always a busy day. My turkey is defrosting in the bath tub in a pan of cold water. Each hour or so, I change the water. When it is totally defrosted, I will put it in the fridge.

I have lots to do today. The more that I do today, the less I have to do when people are over tomorrow.

I have heard many horror stories about people who have forgotten to defrost the bird, and their dinners have been delayed, or spoiled all together.

So don't forget to defrost the bird.

[FrumiousBoojum]

Tip: Cook the turkey upside down.

My mother experimented with doing this at last year's thanksgiving dinner. Keeps the best parts (the ones that usually get the driest easy) soaked in the juices and saves on the number of times you need to pull it out of the oven to pour those juices over the top.

It wasn't the prettiest turkey -- meat was falling off the bones too much for that!

It was definitely the best turkey she ever made.

[SCUBAbe]

I better find the turkey. I hope she has it defrosting somewhere. I usually cook it on a low heat all night. It comes out juicy and the meat is falling off the bone. I'm not sure about this year though.

[SCUBAbe]

Thank you for this reminder thread. I found the turkey in one of their garage refrigerators. It's not frozen solid, but it's not even close to be defrosted. It's now sitting in a water bath.

[sir clinksalot]

Thanks for the reminder. Ours has been in the fridge since we bought it on Sunday, but it needs to sit out for a bit today then back in the fridge tonight!!

Can't wait to partake in the eating of bird!!!

[pveticket]

Haha, go rent Pieces Of April.
Its a thanksgiving disaster movie...lol

[DMof2]

Ours has been defrosting since Sunday... I brought it to my MIL's house and she will have it all ready and prepped tonight.

I was thinking of getting a small turkey (8 lbs) just to make in my house so we can have some "AFTER" Thanksgiving sandwiches on Friday I know there will not be many left overs from my MIL's house... way too many people going to be there this year.

[Barbaraann]

I have bought a turkey breast this year. I found a large 10 pound one. I have that and a 5 pound ham. I think that I will try the upside down thing. Does it work with turkey breast too.

When I cooked the whole turkey, I always had all those legs, wings, and other dark parts that no one ate but me. I couldn't eat all the dark meat myself, so I switched to turkey breast last year.

My turkey is almost thawed, and the ham too.

[DMof2]

Here is a tip I learned from my MIL...

Lay strips of bacon over the breast of the turkey and then put it in the oven. The fat from the turkey keeps the bird super moist and you get an AWESOME crispy bacon too

[Dustysage]

So don't forget to defrost the bird.

AND - Don't forget to turn the oven on when cooking it.

Thanksgiving 1982 disaster - Mom set the temperature, but forgot to turn the oven "on". By the time she figured out what she had done, it was too late.

Thinking fast, she hacked the turkey up into little bits and fried it in a skillet. We got to eat (not so great), but it was a Thanksgiving that taught us all a very valuable lesson - Turn The Oven ON!!!!!!

[migitmouse88]

great ideas everyone!!!

[ToyGuy]

Thanks for the advice everyone.
I'm cooking our meal this year and don't want to goof it up.

[migitmouse88]

i remember one year i saw our turkey light up into a flaming fire ball...my mom took the sprayer from the sink and just sprayed it a few times and it was out, the turkey was a little more watery then it should have been but it sure was good, most of my family and i like things crispy around the edges.

we dont know how it happened, it just lit up...we got rid of that stove the next week because we had had it for many years.

[Osky]

At the Osky household, we will be having the annual tur-duck-en with apple cinnamon risotto stuffing. No need to thaw it, picking up everything fresh this afternoon.

[Osky]

Here is a tip I learned from my MIL...

Lay strips of bacon over the breast of the turkey and then put it in the oven. The fat from the turkey keeps the bird super moist and you get an AWESOME crispy bacon too

If you do this, use a couple packs of Bacon. Everyone in the Osky household fights for the bacon.