Advice needed Re: Turkey Breast

[msmofet]

We usually get a "free" (spend this many dollars receive this deal) frozen turkey breast from ShopRite Supermarket for Thanksgiving.

I have a whole turkey in the freezer to use for T-day.

I am planning on making a small eye round and half a turkey breast (thawed and boned) for Christmas. And the other boned half for New Year's Day (for sandwiches).


Any other advice on how to work this out?



My question is can I wait several days (how many days is safe?) and smoke the second half and freeze it till New Year's Day without it losing some quality/flavor? Being it will start out frozen I can't refreeze the raw half.

 

[Andy M.]

If you defrost the breast just so it's ready for Christmas Day, the other half will keep for 3 days. Then you can smoke it for NYE. Or you can defrost it earlier and smoke half before Christmas and roast the other half. I'd say three days defrosted and raw is the limit.

 

[GotGarlic]

According to the USDA, if you thaw it in the refrigerator, you can safely refreeze it.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/c...poultry-preparation/lets-talk-turkey/ct_index

 

[msmofet]

According to the USDA, if you thaw it in the refrigerator, you can safely refreeze it.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/c...poultry-preparation/lets-talk-turkey/ct_index

Thank you, GG.

But I usually thaw in water in a cooler because of limited fridge space that can be allotted safely to poultry that large.