Thanksgiving is one of the most food-centered days of the year, and just about the only time for a Turkey to shine. In this post, we’ll help you with one of the key principles of turkey cooking that you need to get a perfect bird this year!
While you can find any number of turkey recipes with varying methods and flavors they all have one thing in common: making sure your turkey is properly cooked. And the thermal principles that we talk about here for cooking your turkey are applicable to any recipe.
Cooking the perfect turkey can seem intimidating especially when it comes to monitoring the internal temperature. One key question that often pops up is – do you leave the thermometer in the turkey while it cooks? In this comprehensive guide we’ll dive into the pros and cons, proper techniques, expert tips, and everything you need to know to determine the best practice for thermometer use when roasting turkey.
Why Use a Thermometer at All?
Using a meat thermometer is absolutely essential for cooking turkey safely and properly. Unlike beef, you can’t get away with eyeballing doneness or making guesses. The thermometer provides precise temperature readings to ensure:
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The turkey reaches the minimum safe internal temperature of 165°F. Below this temp, dangerous bacteria could still be alive.
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You avoid overcooking the turkey, which leads to dry, tough meat.
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The thighs, breast, and stuffing are all thoroughly cooked through
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You pull the turkey from the oven at just the right moment for perfect doneness.
The Benefits of Leaving It In
Here are some of the main benefits to leaving the thermometer probe inserted into the thickest part of the turkey during the full roasting time:
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Continuous Temperature Monitoring: You can monitor the internal temp throughout cooking without continually taking it out and re-inserting.
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Prevent Overcooking: Catching exactly when the turkey hits 165°F means you can pull it immediately to prevent going past that ideal temp.
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Accuracy: The probe stays in direct contact with the meat, giving a more precise reading rather than estimating temp based on thickness.
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Convenience: Checking the temp is quicker and easier with no need to find the deepest section each time.
Potential Drawbacks of Leaving It In
However, there are also a few potential drawbacks to be aware of with leaving the thermometer probe in the whole time:
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Probe Movement: The probe could shift position during cooking, giving inconsistent temp readings.
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Juice Leaks: Inserting the probe can create a hole for juices to leak out and dry out the meat.
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Bacteria Risk: Having a foreign object like a thermometer inserted the whole time could potentially introduce bacteria inside the turkey.
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Oven Space: The thermometer probe wire takes up valuable real estate in the crowded oven.
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Melting Risk: The probe or wire could melt if touching the oven walls at high heat.
Experts Recommend Inserting Midway Through Cooking
The consensus among most cooking experts is to take a balanced approach:
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Insert the thermometer probe about halfway through the estimated cooking time, once the turkey begins heating rapidly. For a 15 lb turkey cooked at 325°F, insert it after about 1 hour 45 minutes.
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Secure the probe with twine/toothpick to prevent shifts. Avoid puncturing the skin.
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Place it in the thickest part of the thigh, avoiding bone.
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Check the temp every 30 minutes until nearly finished cooking.
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Remove the thermometer once the turkey reaches 165°F.
This allows you to benefit from monitoring the crucial latter half of cooking, while avoiding potential issues from having it in the entire time.
Should You Ever Leave It in the Whole Time?
It’s generally not recommended to leave the thermometer probe inserted from start to finish. The entire duration increases risks of the probe shifting, juices escaping, and plastic melting.
It’s best to insert only midway through, during the key phase when the turkey begins rapidly rising over 140°F. Monitoring just this critical segment lets you track the increase without the drawbacks.
Are Wireless Thermometers Any Better?
Wireless digital thermometers avoid the wire risks of standard models. However, the probe can still move around or leak juices.
Wireless thermometers are convenient for tracking oven and turkey temp together. But still remove the probe once the turkey reaches 165°F before resting.
Can You Use One When Microwaving?
Microwaving small turkey portions like turkey breast is quick, but unsafe with a thermometer. The metal probe could damage the microwave or cause arcing.
For microwaved turkey, use a separate thermometer to check temp after cooking. Never leave a probe inside during microwaving.
Proper Thermometer Placement
To maximize success and accuracy when using a thermometer:
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Purchase a high-quality oven-safe thermometer designed for roasting.
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Clean and sanitize the probe before inserting to avoid bacteria.
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Place in the thickest section, avoiding bone which conducts heat differently.
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Keep the probe tightly secured with kitchen string or silicone.
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Carefully arrange excess wire to prevent contact with heat sources.
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Set a timer to remind you to regularly check the temp.
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Allow the turkey to rest once it reaches 165°F before carving.
Checking Temperatures in Multiple Places
For whole turkeys, check the temperature by inserting the thermometer into 3 different places:
- The thickest portion of the breast
- The innermost portion of the thigh
- The innermost portion of the wing
The stuffing inside the turkey cavity should register 165°F as well.
For just a turkey breast, insert the thermometer sideways into the thickest area.
Types of Thermometers
There are a few different thermometer options, each with their own pros and cons:
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Oven-Safe Thermometers: Leave inside the whole time. Easy to monitor but wires take up space.
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Instant-Read Thermometers: Provides temp in seconds but can’t be left in during cooking.
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Pop-Up Thermometers: Built into the turkey with a pop indicator when done. Can verify with conventional thermometer.
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Wireless Thermometers: Monitor oven and meat temp digitally without probe wires.
Calibrating Your Thermometer
Before relying on any meat thermometer, double check that it’s properly calibrated for accuracy:
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Ice Point Method: Place probe in ice water and ensure it reads 32°F.
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Boiling Point Method: Place in boiling water and ensure it reads 212°F.
If it’s off, adjust accordingly. Re-calibrating about once a year is recommended.
Sanitizing and Maintaining Thermometers
Always wash thermometer probes thoroughly with hot soapy water after each use. To sanitize, use an alcohol swab, diluted bleach solution, or boiling water.
Avoid immersing digital thermometers fully in water. Store thermometers carefully to prevent damage from drops or temperature extremes.
Key Temperatures to Know
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Whole Turkey: 165°F minimum internal temperature.
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Turkey Breast: 165°F in thickest part.
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Microwaved Turkey: 165°F checked after cooking.
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Stuffing: 165°F for safety.
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Turkey Thighs/Legs: 175°F for crispy skin.
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Turkey Wings: 180°F for fall-off-the bone meat.
While the thermometer can stay inserted for part of the roast, remove it before the full cooking time is complete. Follow proper precautions to gain the benefits of monitoring temperature, without the drawbacks of leaving it in the entire duration.
Using and correctly placing a thermometer is crucial for perfect turkey. Invest in a quality thermometer and rely on precise temperature readings for a beautifully cooked bird!
Not Just One Thermometer
One thermometer is just not enough for perfectly cooked turkey. You need an oven-safe leave-in probe thermometer to track the temperatures during the cook and an instant read thermometer to verify doneness at the end. And to ensure that your leave-in thermometer is doing its job correctly, you need to make sure that your probe is in the right place.
To Place your Probe Correctly, Understand 3 Things:
Heat moves. Sounds obvious right? Maybe not. Because of the way that heat is transferred through substances, the outside of a turkey will be at a higher temperature than the inside. This difference in temperature between the exterior and interior of the meat is called a temperature gradient.
Understanding temperature gradients leads to understanding proper probe placement: the thermal center.
How to Take the Temperature of Your Turkey
FAQ
Can I leave the thermometer in the turkey while cooking?
Yes, you can leave your meat thermometer in the meat while it’s cooking as long as the thermometer’s manufacturer says it’s oven-safe. Thermometers that are safe for use while cooking should have a clear “oven-safe” label.
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.
Does the meat thermometer stay in while cooking?
The thermometer should not be left in the food while it’s cooking.Nov 27, 2023
Do you leave a meat thermometer in while cooking a Turkey?
When the meat thermometer reaches 165°F, your turkey is ready to be taken out. You shouldn’t leave a meat thermometer in the turkey since the metal in the probe conducts heat into the turkey, which will give you a false reading.
How to use oven-proof meat thermometer in a Turkey?
Just place the oven-proof meat thermometer in the turkey before the cooking cycle starts. The thermometer will help you check the bird’s internal temperature while it is cooking. You will find it easy to position the thermometer in the turkey. You just have to place the device in the thickest part of the thigh.
Do you need a thermometer for Turkey?
The thing is that a thermometer isn’t just for turkeys – it can and should be used with any kind of meat. In fact, you should be using it every time that you prepare meat. It doesn’t matter if you are frying chicken or searing a steak, a thermometer will let you know that your meat is done better than time or appearance.
Can you put a meat thermometer in the oven?
Yes, you can leave your meat thermometer in the meat while it’s cooking as long as the thermometer’s manufacturer says it’s oven-safe. Thermometers that are safe for use while cooking should have a clear “oven-safe” label. How far should you insert a meat thermometer? Insert two to two and a half inches deep into the thickest part of the food.
How to use a leave-in thermometer for turkeys?
Using a leave-in thermometer for turkeys is a simple process. Here are the steps involved: 1. Insert the thermometer into the turkey. The best place to insert the thermometer is in the thickest part of the thigh, away from the bone. 2. Make sure that the thermometer is inserted all the way into the turkey.
Is it safe to eat a Turkey with a pop-up thermometer?
One of the thermometers even popped up at a troubling 139.5 degrees, meaning the turkey would still have been highly unsafe to eat. Sometimes pop-up thermometers also get stuck, leaving you with dry, overcooked meat, which is also a major bummer (though still not as bad as salmonella poisoning).