Is the turkey still safe to eat?

Mine's_a_guinness

Hi

In true money saving style I bought a VERY large turkey in the January sales for £6 from Sainsburys (reduced from £18 so I just couldn't resist it). It's been sat in the freezer ever since and I'm now wondering if it's still safe to eat. Also, if it is, what can I do with the inevitable left overs after we've had the roast? Or should I cut it up first and cook different things with it rather than roast the whole thing? Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks:D

doddsy

It should be cooked as soon as defrosted so I wouldn't bother cutting it up to do different things. Cook it whole and then use the leftovers for curries, pies, quiches etc (they can be bagged up and re frozen until you want to use them).

As for it being ok, only you can decide that, was it at the bottom of the freezer? Is you freezer good? when you defrost does it look ok and smell ok?

good luck!
doddsy

Mine's_a_guinness

Thanks for the suggestions Doddsy. Yes, it has been at the bottom of the freezer. As to whether the freezer is okay, I think it is. It does seem to collect rather a lot of ice at the top and I know I should defrost it (I've had it three years and I don't think I ever have so I'm now feeling quite guilty and slobbish). I occasionally chip away at the large chunks of ice but that's about it.

Smashing

Shove the whole thing in and roast it - if it happens to have any taste whatsoever there is probably something wrong with it.

What is it with us OS'ers and our turkeys lurking in the depths of our freezers? Whose has been there the longest?

doddsy

Defrosting a chest freezer is a nause in my opinion. I keep my stuff in plastic crates so that I can lift stuff out wholesale. It was also intended for organized freezing, like vegetables in one, fruits in another, meat in another etc., but somehow it always gets mixed up.

Some wholesalers will keep turkeys frozen from one year to the next, so it should be ok, like smashing said - shove it in and see.

doddsy

janeawej

yes it will be fine, a neighbour once invited us to dinner, gave us roast pork then as we were eating it told us it had been in the freezer for 8 yrs!! we were all ok!

Penelope_Penguin

Hi, I'd use it as long as it smells OK when it's thawed. I'd roast it whole, eat it hot, then have cold turkey salad and sarnies. I'd then make some of the rest into curry, fricasse, turkey flan:

http://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/turkey-flan-with-leeks-and-cheese,896,RC.html

I'd then pick off all the rest of the bits and make rissoles - freeze individually for a quick meal (with potatoes and veg). The carcase I'd then boil for stock and make a variety of soups.

Oooh, making me think of Christmas Dinner!

Penny. x

stuart264

Remember turkey leftovers are for life not just for Christmas :eek:

bj-sailaway

If I go into my butcher on christmas eve, just before he closes, he gives me - yes gives - loads of huge turkey legs. We have only just used to last one to make a curry. So, we've had free meat in our turkey curry alternate saturdays since Christmas!