Cover and refrigerate. Reheat Thanksgiving Day in a conventional oven or microwave. The oven broke down, an ice storm downed power lines, there's no gas for the gas grill. These unplanned situations do arise through the fault of no one. Besides causing anxiety and stress, they can also lead to an unsafe bird.
Time is of the essence.
If your bird has been in any of these situations for over 2 hours, your turkey could become risky. But to discuss your unique situation, call one of our food experts on the Meat and Poultry Hotline. USDA's Meat and Poultry Hotline answers questions on the safe storage and handling of meat, poultry and other perishable foods. Normal hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, Eastern Time. In November the hours will be extended to 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.