Seasonal & Holidays
Turkey Microwave Challenge Causes Parents To Lose Their Minds
Parents wonder if their kids are clueless or just plain drunk when they ask how long to microwave a turkey in new social media challenge
Some parents are wondering if the kids really are alright. Young adults are pranking their parents and grandparents in the lead up to the big Thanksgiving meal, asking how long they should microwave a 25-pound turkey. The answers are hilarious.
The challenge, known alternatively as the #TurkeyChallenge and the #25LBturkeychallenge on social media, is prompting some parents to question where they went wrong and if their kids are drunk or on drugs.
But take solace, moms and dads and anyone else who fell for this new gotcha challenge:
Find out what's happening in Across Americafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
At least they’re not asking you if they should microwave Tide Pods before eating them, the challenge de jour about this time last year.
“R u drunk?” one parent asked, using social media shorthand. Another parent allowed that she — or he — didn’t know, but suggested the “turkey isn’t the only thing getting baked this Thanksgiving.”
Find out what's happening in Across Americafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
One mom threatened to call police. And another mom either played along or doesn’t know much about roasting turkeys and suggested a 30-minute-or-so zap.
“Oh dear god, woman,” the prankster responded. “Were you literally going to let me microwave a turkey?!? I could have DIED.”
“Have I taught you nothing?” one dad responded. “I feel like a complete failure. Be sure to wrap it in tinfoil and ignore the fire alarm when it goes off.”
And this husband was definitely playing along:
“First you thaw the turkey, then you clean out the extra stuff inside and pat it dry. Put it in microwavable an. Apply butter to turkey skin and in between the skin and meat. Salt the turkey generously, remember all the crooks and crannies. Put turkey in microwave. Crank microwave to max power and cook for 30 minutes. When timer goes off, grab your coat and keys and leave your house. Get in the car and continue to drive and leave town because nobody wants to be friends with somebody who tried to microwave a turkey, satan.”
This was good, too:
“If you cut it up about 45 minutes, but then an additional 4 days on the toilet from the salmonella.”
See Also: Salmonella In Raw Turkey Kills 1, Sickens 164 In 35 States
“Just long enough to send someone to the ER,” another wrote.
Here are some others:
My dad is EXTRA #25lbturkeychallenge pic.twitter.com/nKBBcJwdlr
— Mikayla Emmert (@Mikayla_Emmert) November 15, 2018
I think my dad has the best response so far #25LBturkeychallenge pic.twitter.com/s8a3mQmcbF
— Katelyn Norse (@knorse5) November 16, 2018
Well this #MicrowaveTurkey prank just went horribly wrong pic.twitter.com/LD9cWNPHaQ
— ThxGivinSZN (@thomasnumb5) November 16, 2018
The pranksters may get the last laugh. Microwaving a turkey isn’t unheard of if the appliance is big enough to accommodate the bird, according to Butterball, whose experts are already answering cooks’ questions on the Turkey Talk Line about how to prepare a memorable Thanksgiving turkey. Butterball told “Today Food” how it’s done:
- Thaw the turkey and place it breast-side down on a microwave-safe dish or plate.
- Heat for 4 minutes per pound on high (that’s 36 minutes for a 9-pound turkey) to start the cooking process.
- Remove the drippings and baste the turkey so it will develop the golden-brown skin found on oven-roasted turkeys.
- Flip the turkey over and cook at 50 percent power for 8 minutes per pound (72 minutes for a 9-pound turkey).
- Every 18 minutes, check the turkey’s internal temperature with a meat thermometer and baste it with the natural juices or a browning sauce. It is safe to eat when it reaches 180 to 185 degrees in the thigh and 170 to 175 degrees in the breast.
- Baste the turkey again before serving.
The Turkey Talk Line experts can talk cooks through microwaving a turkey or preparing it using more conventional methods. They’re available for consultation at (800) BUTTERBALL — that’s (800) 288-8372 — or by texting (844) 877-3456. Hours of operation are (all times Central Standard Time):
- Nov. 21: 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
- Nov. 22 (Thanksgiving): 6 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Nov. 23-Dec. 21: 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday through Friday
- Dec. 22-23: 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve): 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Photo: Stock Connection/Shutterstock
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
