What works for freezing turkeys?

[Katrina1735]

We are getting ready to prepare 9 broad breasted white turkeys for the freezer. They're 4 months old and pretty big. I'm at a loss about what to put them in for freezing. Zip Lock Bags don't come that big... freezer paper may or may not work. Anyone got any suggestions??? Thanks...

[barefootflowers]

I guess you want to keep them whole for roasting later? The turkey sized oven bags will fit very large turkeys. We used them this Thanksgiving to sell to customers. Maybe you could put them in the bags first, and then tightly wrap with freezer paper? I plan on buying some of those shrink wrap poultry bags that you can order online for the coming year. We still have two large turkeys walking around because I'm in the same boat as you.

[Kmac15]

May not be the 'right' thing to do but....I got cheap garbage bags, the ones with no scent or anti-bacterial stuff. Dropped the turkeys in there and then wrapped in freezer paper.

[tinknal]

Go to your local locker plant and ask them for ham bags. These are the mesh bags that hams are smoked in. You will still have to wrap them, but the ham bags makes the turkey more compact and easy to handle.

[livinzoo]

Shrink bags! http://www.cornerstone-farm.com/shrink_bags.htm Shipping is high, cheaper if you call in your order, but still high. Bags work great!

[chickenista]

We use freezer paper and then slide them into the turkey roasting bags. The freezer paper makes for a beautiful bird when it comes out of the freezer. The turkey bags are thin and you can get some damage without the paper.

[luvrulz]

You can't freeze them for long because none of these bags are of a heavier guage/mil like you would need - you might be able to use the commercial size saran wrap and wrap it and wrap it and wrap it! The other option is to split it and freeze it in smaller packages. Or bake it then freeze which is what I do since there are only 2 of us -

[Patt]

Walmart has 2 1/2 gallon ziplocs, those may be big enough.

[Maura]

Cut the neck off. Tuck the wings and legs in, then use saran wrap to wrap (look for extra wide). Then, wrap snugly in freezer wrap using tape or staples. Wrap the gizzards and innards and neck separately so the turkeys will thaw faster.

[Common Tator]

Have you considered canning some of them? Then you could store them on the shelf without need for refrigeration.

[sassafras manor]

We have a USDA poultry processor just over an hour away that will do large turkeys for five dollars and extra large for seven dollars. At that price I cannot justify doing them myself. It may not hurt to check around, they can make short work of the job.

[Fae]

I bought a couple turkeys @ .37 during the holidays. I wanted turkey to use in recipes and for sandwiches so I cut them up and cooked them then took the meat off the bones and used my foodsaver and put them in the freezer. I have several recipes that use turkey and this way it is cooked and ready to thaw and use. Sorry, I have never tried to freeze them whole so no help there but, I would think the freezer wrap would be best.

[Windy in Kansas]

It is cold and windy here today and all I can think of when I see the thread title "What works for freezing turkeys?"----is knit sweaters, hoods, and footies.

Enjoy some real frozen turkey. Makes excellent turkey and homemade noodles served over a piping hot bowl of mashed potatoes.

[beaglady]

I never freeze mine whole, since I find having it in smaller, meal size portions a lot more convenient. I'll bone a few whole breasts, then roll and tie them for roasts. Other breasts are sliced into steaks that we grill in the summer. Thighs are usually frozen whole, though sometimes I grind them and season like sausage. The wings and legs, along with other bones, are simmered into stock. Then I pick the meat, and freeze it, and pressure can the stock.

[MullersLaneFarm]

Originally Posted by sassafras manor

We have a USDA poultry processor just over an hour away that will do large turkeys for five dollars and extra large for seven dollars. .

What town? We're always looking for a USDA poultry processor closer by and don't always hear of any new ones.