I finally found someone to process my 3 turkey's ( not an easy thing in New Jersey) in exchange I am giving them one of the birds to eat. I want to eat it on Christmas, he may want to process tomorrow - 10 days before Christmas. Can I keep it in the refrigerator that long or will it have to be frozen? I know stores must have fresh turkeys around for a while but I want to be safe. Also how should I store it in the frig? I know it's supposed to rest for a few days. In a bag or in foil or in the roaster covered? What about the salt water soak? Do I leave it in the frig soaking? HOw, in what? HOw long? Help!
I had mine in the fridge 7 days before Thanksgiving and they were just fine! I was a little concerned and did some research on here, seems as a general rule people keep 4-10 days in the fridge prior to eating with no issues. I did not brine my bird, I just kept it in the bag it was in until 24 hours before when I injected it and put it back. IMO as long as your fridge is keeping things cold you should be ok with 10 days, but for me, I wouldn't push it much longer. But you are right, consider the chicken you buy at the store, it was butchered, processed, shipped to the store and then has a sell by date at least a week out. Hopefully someone else will post but if it was my only option I would do it.
