Thanksgiving is ready to fill the house with family – stomachs full of food! The holiday revolves around reflection of what we are most thankful for – as well as celebrating the harvest (a.k.a feasting on favorite dishes). The centerpiece of many meals this holiday will be the turkey, a choice both nostalgic and traditional. While Thanksgiving has evolved to include many different diets and cultural traditions, a turkey is still the star in homes across the U.S.

If the turkey is the star, the grateful diners are the rabid fans, except the cameras and microphones are replaced with silverware and gravy. To ensure this “star” continues to entertain during the inevitable sandwiches, soups and other leftover variations, RestoPros has come up with some solutions for keeping it fresh (and free from mold) until it has been enjoyed by everyone.

Follow the steps below and keep your turkey delicious throughout the extended break!

Clean Out Your Refrigerator and Freezer

  • Before buying a turkey, you must have a clean environment to store it in.
  • Whether you’re thawing or freezing your turkey, its habitat must be uncontaminated and mold-free.
  • Clear out all contents of your fridge before cleaning.
  • Throw away any food that has expired.
  • Take out the shelves and wipe them thoroughly with baking soda and water.
  • If you need to clean the interior of your fridge, stay away from bleach or other toxic chemicals. A mixture of vinegar and water is a good solution for keeping the inside clean.

Keep Your Uncooked Turkey Sealed and Isolated

  • As with any raw poultry, turkey can easily cross-contaminate with other foods in your fridge.
  • Food poisoning with raw turkey is a two-way street, as it can both infect and be infected by other foods.
  • Some mold is hard to detect, and seemingly harmless foods could contaminate your turkey.
  • When you are unthawing your turkey in the fridge, make sure it is kept in a tight bag or container to ensure it doesn’t contaminate the interior (or other foods).

Thaw the Turkey Properly

  • Properly thawing a turkey involves a bit of planning before Thanksgiving.
  • Measure your turkey’s weight, as this will determine how long to thaw it.
  • For every 4 pounds, the turkey requires 24 hours of thawing in the fridge.
  • If a turkey weighs 20 pounds, then it requires 5 days to thaw.
  • Properly thawing your turkey ensure that it cooks evenly, tastes delicious and doesn’t make anyone sick.

Proper Cleaning

  • After you cook your turkey, do not put it on the same platter/cookware used to transport it uncooked.
  • Make sure that you wash (in hot water) all the cookware used to transport/cook the turkey before you reuse.
  • Immediately wash all the countertops exposed to the uncooked turkey.

Leftover Mindfulness

  • After you have eaten your feast, cut the rest of the turkey into slices and place in an airtight container. Try not to use plastic bags as their seal can sometimes break – or not close entirely.
  • The USDA recommends eating your cooked leftovers within three to four days.
  • If you aren’t planning on eating leftovers immediately, consider freezing the leftovers to avoid spoilage.

On Thanksgiving, the star of the show should be treated with the respect it deserves. Make sure that it stays around for the leftovers enjoyed throughout the holiday. These easy steps should help keep the turkey meat fresh and tasty until the last sandwich has been made. RestoPros hope that you and your family have a joyous and enjoyable holiday. Remember that if you have any problems with mold infestation or water leakage, our professionals work around the clock. Call us at 855-587-3786 for emergency service or to schedule an appointment today!


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