Wrapping up a turkey

[SkyWarrior]

I have two turkeys that I'm going to be processing soon. I'm afraid I may have overgrown one. He's huge.

I'm going to skin it. Last year, we had skinned turkey for Thanksgiving and it was AWESOME. I brined it. This year, I'm not sure what to do if this bird is too big? How do I wrap it? How do I get it in the freezer? Maybe I should have one smoked at the butcher? Thoughts? Help!

 

[bigredfeather]

Cutting them in half and wrapping with butcher paper may work. They will still take up space, but a least cutting them will help some.

 

[jasonm11]

run a search for shrink wrap poultry bags you should find them.

 

[MeatKing]

Depending on how long youe gonna keep it in freezer.. You may be ok, with not a prefect wrap .. Saran Rap, may times around in a few plastic bags, may be ok till Thanks Giving"

Hoe big is BIG?

We did a $40. some pounder last New Years.. We had a intersting time looking for something big enough to cook it in... We still have a 46 pounder whole in freezer, think were gonna cute it in half maybe.. I dunno really, the thoughts change daily :0
)

 

[Oregon Blues]

Unless you really need a whole turkey, I'd part it out. I like my turkey leftovers, but freshly cooked turkey is better than the leftovers, so part it out and then cook what you need.

If the turkey is supposed to be the centerpiece of your holiday table, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap to keep the air off of it. Then wrap in butcher paper and use freezer tape on every possible place the paper has a cut edge, so no air can get in anywhere.

It'll keep really well until the holidays.

Butcher paper is great stuff. I've got 2 year old meat in the freezer and good as new.

Costco sells a big box of extra wide plastic wrap that is excellent stuff. Sticks where you need it, doesn't stick to itself, or at least comes back apart easily. The box is well designed and you pull out what you need and cut it very easily.

 

[SkyWarrior]

Quote:
Gosh, I'm not sure at this point. Both toms are bigger than the hen we had for Thanksgiving last year, and she was a 20-30 lb bird. I'll go out on a limb and say 30 to 40 lbs.

I may have to cut them up to get them into the oven!