Roasting Times & Recommendations

Cooking Times & Tips

Thawing Your Mary’s Turkey

I thought my Mary’s turkey was fresh. Why does it feel frozen?   Fresh turkeys will sometimes feel hard on the outside because they are chilled to 28 degrees for safe shipping. Only the outer part of the turkey should be hard, not the entire turkey. Frozen turkeys are stored at 0 degrees. Fresh turkeys are never frozen.

  • Thaw your turkey 1 to 3 days in advance of cooking.

  • Thaw the turkey in your kitchen sink with COLD WATER in the original packaging.

  • NEVER let the turkey get WARM. Do not thaw overnight or leave unattended. 

  • The cold water needs to be changed every 30 minutes.

  • Thaw the turkey until the bag feels soft. For a fresh turkey that feels hard, thaw between 1 and 4 hours. For a fully frozen turkey allow approximately 30 minutes per pound.

  • After the turkey is thawed, store it in the refrigerator in the original packaging.

  • DO NOT THAW IN MICROWAVE.

Brining Your Turkey

Glazed Turkey Breast Recipe

Pitman Family Turkey Stuffing Recipe

For a 12lb Turkey

Ingredients:

18 Cups Soft 100% Whole Wheat Bread Cubes
1½ Cup Minced Yellow Onion
3 Cups Chopped Celery
3 Teaspoons Crushed Sage Leaves
2 Teaspoons Thyme Leaves
2 Sprigs Rosemary
2 Cans Medium Pitted Olives
1 Cup Butter

Directions:

1. In a large skillet, cook and stir onion and celery in butter until onion is tender.
2. Stir in about 1/3 of the bread cubes. Turn into deep bowl.
3. Add remaining ingredients and toss.
4. Stuff turkey just before roasting.
makes 18 cups (enough for a 12 pound turkey)

Peggy Van Cleef