Uncooked turkey refrigerator storage time?

snakyjake

Member
I bought a frozen turkey (12 lbs).  I want to thaw in the refrigerator.  I want to brine.  What is the maximum time I can have it in the refrigerator before I need to brine and cook it?

Not sure if the my refrigerator storage time counts at the beginning or end of the thaw. 

I am guessing:
3 days to thaw in the refrigerator. 
+
3 days before I need to brine. 
+
~1 day of brine. 
=
Maximum of 7 days later I need to cook.

Thanks,
Jake
 
The rule of thumb is that poultry defrosts at four pounds per day in the fridge i.e. three days for your bird. You look fine.
 
If you bought it, and already started thawing it, you'll be fine.  If not, I would thaw for 3 days, brine for 12-14 hours, then smoke that bad bird!  No need to sit in the fridge for 3 days, unless you've thawed early.
 
A few days in the refrigerator once thawed is fine. You are doing the right thing giving yourself a little extra time to thaw. Depending on how cold your refrigerator is, they can take longer than you think to thaw.
 
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