If youre looking forward to a delicious — and safe — Thanksgiving dinner with loved ones, its important to follow proper precautions when cooking.
“A Thanksgiving meal, particularly involving a turkey, requires careful attention to food safety to prevent contamination and foodborne illness,” food safety expert Darin Detwiler, a professor at Northeastern University, told CBS News. “A raw turkey can introduce harmful bacteria into your kitchen, including salmonella and campylobacter … These bacteria can spread through juices from the turkey onto countertops, utensils and other foods, leading to cross-contamination.”
Every year, foodborne illness causes 48 million illnesses, 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths nationwide, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.
Luckily, there are “simple steps we can all take at home that will help reduce the risk of foodborne illness,” the USDA notes on its website.
Cooking turkey can seem daunting, especially if you only do it once or twice a year for the holidays. But have no fear! With the right techniques and temperatures, you can cook a juicy, flavorful turkey for your family to enjoy. In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know about how turkey is supposed to be cooked.
What is the Safe Internal Temperature for Turkey?
The safe minimum internal temperature for turkey is 165°F. This kills any potential bacteria like salmonella. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature in the thickest part of the breast and thigh. For stuffed turkeys, the center of the stuffing must reach 165°F too.
Here are the recommended internal temperatures
- Whole turkey: 165°F breast, 175°F thigh
- Boneless turkey breast: 165°F
- Bone-in turkey breast: 170°F
- Turkey stuffing: 165°F
Cooking to these temperatures ensures the turkey is completely cooked through without being overdone
Why Does Turkey Cook to Two Different Temperatures?
Turkey has two different types of meat that require different cooking temperatures. The breast is white meat while the thighs and legs are dark meat.
The white breast meat should only be cooked to 165°F maximum. Higher temperatures will cause it to dry out. Dark meat can be cooked up to 175-180°F for tender, juicy results.
That’s why it’s recommended to cook the whole turkey to 165°F to prevent the delicate breast meat from overcooking. If you want to further cook the legs and thighs, you can carefully remove the breast first.
How to Tell When Turkey is Fully Cooked
Checking the internal temperature is the only foolproof way to confirm your turkey is fully cooked. But here are some other signs it’s done:
- Drumsticks wiggle easily
- Meat feels firm yet juicy when pressed
- Thigh juices run clear when pierced
- Meat is no longer pink
Don’t worry if there are some pink juices or spots of pink in the meat. This is normal due to turkey’s proteins and doesn’t mean it’s undercooked.
Helpful Tips for Cooking Turkey
Follow these tips for perfect turkey every time:
- Let turkey rest 20 minutes before carving so juices redistribute.
- Use a meat thermometer for accuracy. Don’t rely on pop-up timers.
- Cook stuffing in oven separately if not cooking a stuffed turkey.
- Brining adds moisture and flavor.
- Roast breast-side up, then flip in last 30 minutes for even browning.
- Tent aluminum foil over breast if thighs need more time.
- Baste every 30 minutes with broth or pan drippings.
Step-by-Step Guide to Roasting Turkey
Here is a simple step-by-step method for roasting turkey:
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Thaw frozen turkey completely in the refrigerator 1-2 days before cooking. Rinse turkey and pat dry.
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Prepare aromatics: Chop onions, carrots, celery, garlic, herbs. Slice oranges or lemons.
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Place turkey breast up on a roasting rack in a roasting pan. Tuck wings under.
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Rub skin with olive oil or butter and season all over with salt and pepper. Stuff aromatics in the cavity.
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Roast in a 325°F oven, basting every 30 minutes. Cook to internal temp of 165°F in breast, 175°F in thighs.
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If browning is needed, flip turkey over 30-60 minutes before finish time.
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Let rest 20 minutes before carving. Slice turkey and serve with pan juices and stuffing.
This method ensures a flavorful, juicy bird cooked to the proper temperature for food safety. Adjust roast time as needed for the turkey size.
How Long to Cook Turkey Based on Weight
Here are approximate roasting times for unstuffed turkeys:
- 8-12 lbs turkey: 2.5-3 hours
- 12-14 lbs turkey: 3-3.5 hours
- 14-18 lbs turkey: 3.5-4.25 hours
- 18-20 lbs turkey: 4-4.5 hours
- 20-24 lbs turkey: 4.25-5 hours
Always use a meat thermometer instead of relying solely on cook times for doneness. Cook times can vary based on oven type and temperature accuracy.
For stuffed turkeys, add 30-45 minutes to the roast time since the center takes longer to cook. Also check the internal temperature of the stuffing.
Should You Brine the Turkey?
Brining is highly recommended to yield moist, flavorful meat. Brining involves soaking the turkey in a saltwater solution before cooking. The salt helps retain moisture while adding flavor all the way to the bone.
Make a basic brine with 1 cup kosher salt and 1/2 cup sugar per gallon of water. For extra flavor, add aromatics like garlic, herbs, citrus, spices, or wine. Submerge turkey in brine 1-3 days before cooking. Rinse and pat dry before roasting.
Handling Leftover Turkey Safely
Properly store leftover turkey:
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Allow turkey to cool within 2 hours after cooking.
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Carve meat from the bones. Refrigerate in shallow containers within 2 hours of carving.
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Use leftovers within 3-4 days. Freeze portions in airtight containers for longer storage.
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Reheat fully to 165°F until hot. Bring soups and gravies to a full boil before serving.
Follow food safety guidelines for handling and storing cooked turkey properly. This prevents illness from bacteria like salmonella.
Learning how turkey should be cooked allows you to serve this holiday bird perfectly cooked and full of flavor. Cook to an internal temperature of 165°F in the breast and 175°F in the thighs. Rest before carving, brine for added moisture, and store leftovers safely. With these tips, your turkey will impress your family and guests!
Where in the turkey should you put your thermometer to measure internal temperature?
The innermost part of the thigh and wing and the thickest part of the breast are the best places to check the internal temperature of a turkey with a food thermometer, according to the USDA.
You should measure the temperature even if your turkey has a “pop-up” temperature indicator, the agency recommends.
“Take care to ensure the thermometer does not touch any bones while measuring the temperature, as this will give an inaccurate reading,” its website notes.
How long are Thanksgiving leftovers safe to eat?
Leftovers should be refrigerated within 2 hours of serving to prevent food poisoning, according to the U.S. Food Safety website.
“Cooked turkey and dishes made with turkey, such as a casserole, can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days or can be frozen to store longer,” the website notes, adding all leftovers should be reheated to at least 165 degrees before serving.
If you store leftovers in the freezer, they will remain “of best quality for up to two to six months,” according to the USDA.
“Avoid reheating leftovers more than once to reduce foodborne illness risk,” Detwiler said.
A Beginner’s Guide to Roasting a Turkey | Food Wishes
FAQ
Is turkey ok if it’s a little pink?
- Use a meat thermometer: The only way to accurately determine if a turkey is fully cooked is by checking its internal temperature with a meat thermometer.
- Safe temperature: For turkey, the safe internal temperature is 165°F.
- Pink can be normal: Even when cooked to a safe temperature, some parts of a turkey may still appear slightly pink, particularly near the bone.
What cooking method is used for turkey?
Roasted. Roasting is probably the most common way to cook a Thanksgiving turkey. It is the classic presentation and looks stunning on the dinner table.Nov 17, 2024
Is it better to cook a turkey at 325 or 350?
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Crispy skin:Cooking at a slightly higher temperature like 350 degrees can help brown the skin more effectively, creating a crispier texture.
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Moist meat:While a higher temperature might seem like it could dry out the meat, using a meat thermometer to monitor the internal temperature and ensuring you don’t overcook is key to keeping the turkey juicy regardless of the cooking temperature.
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Cooking time:Cooking at 325 degrees will typically take longer than cooking at 350 degrees.
What temperature should a Turkey be cooked at?
When roasting turkey, here are the temperatures our Test Kitchen follows for a bird that’s not only safe to eat, but at its juiciest for the table: Whole turkey: On your meat thermometer, a whole cooked turkey should reach an internal temperature of 165°F in the breast and 175°F in the thigh.
How do you know when a Turkey is done?
This can lead to many questions as to knowing when a turkey is done and safe to eat. A turkey is safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. You can cook dark meat to a temperature of 180°F, but white meat turkey should be pulled out of the oven at 165° otherwise, it will get dry.
What temperature should a turkey thigh be cooked to?
Many people will cook their turkey until the thigh meat temperatures are 180°F. They stop cooking the breast meat to 165°F on the food thermometer. If you choose to cook the dark meat a little longer, you should eat it right away.
How do I know if a Turkey is safe to eat?
Plus, what temperature to cook it to so you know it’s safe to eat. For taking the temperature of your turkey, you need a thermometer. The very best is the ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE. It’s lightning-fast, super responsive, and has an automatic backlight for taking the temperature of turkey in cavernous ovens.
Can you measure cooked turkey by internal temperature?
While measuring meat’s doneness by internal temperature might be a paradigm shift for some folks, the good news is that it’s easy to do and will instantly and noticeably improve your ability to cook a turkey that lives up to the anticipation of those big holiday gatherings.
How do you cook a Turkey in the oven?
Here are the steps to ensure your turkey cooks perfectly. Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Place the oven rack in the lower third of the oven to accommodate the height of the turkey. Remove the giblets and neck: These are typically located in a bag inside the turkey cavity. You can save these for making gravy or broth if desired.