Thanksgiving is Thursday. Are YOU the one hosting the big dinner? Is it your first time? If so, there are a few tips from the experts at Butterball and Betty Crocker.

How long does it take to thaw a frozen turkey? If you're thawing it out in the refrigerator, it's 1 day for every 4-5 lbs. So, if you have a 15 lb. turkey, TODAY, (Monday) is the time to put it in the fridge.

If you're thawing out the turkey in the kitchen SINK, experts recommend breast side down, in an unopened wrapper, with enough cold water to cover your turkey completely.
Change water every 30 minutes to keep the turkey chilled. Estimate a minimum thawing time of 30 minutes per lb.

Turkey Tips:

Choosing a Turkey (From Finecooking.com)

1. Size matters: How big a turkey? For birds under 16 pounds, figure at least 1 pound of turkey per person. For larger birds 16 pounds and heavier, figure a bit less since there's more meat in proportion to bone. If you want substantial seconds and leftovers, allow another 1/2 pound per person.

2. Got a big crowd? Roast two smaller turkeys (12 pounds or less) instead of one large one. Smaller turkeys fit better in the fridge and roasting pan, plus they cook more quickly and evenly. Plus, it lets you experiment with two different types of preparations.

3. Choose the right turkey. With so many turkeys on the market, trying to choose your holiday bird can be mind-boggling: free-range? organic? natural? We recommend choosing a fresh turkey without any added ingredients, and organic, kosher, heritage or premium-brand turkeys are all great options.

Click on this link to go directly to the Butterball Frozen/Sink Chart: TURKEY THAW

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