Its undeniable that the turkey is the most important dish on the Thanksgiving menu. But before you ever brine or season a bird, much less roast or fry it, theres one question that absolutely must be answered: Should you clean a turkey before you cook it or not?
If your roasted turkey recipe calls for rinsing the bird, it might be time to find a new recipe! According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), its impossible to remove all the bacteria from a raw turkey by rinsing it, and trying to do so can splash and spread harmful bacteria all across your kitchen. Theres only one time that you should ever rinse your bird. Read on to find out more, and the safest way to do it.
As Thanksgiving approaches, many home cooks are preparing to roast a turkey for the big feast. Washing the turkey is a step in the preparation process that causes a lot of confusion. Should you wash it or not? If so, when and how should you do it? This article will provide a definitive guide on how and when you should wash your Thanksgiving turkey.
The Case Against Washing an Unbrined Turkey
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), rinsing or washing an unbrined raw turkey is not recommended. The main reason is that it is impossible to fully wash away all bacteria on the raw bird. Attempting to rinse off bacteria will likely just end up spreading germs around your kitchen through splashing.
In fact, research shows that cooking is the only sure way to kill potentially dangerous bacteria on poultry. Washing will do little to remove bacteria but can easily contaminate sinks, countertops and other surfaces. The USDA firmly states that turkeys should be taken directly from the package to the roasting pan without washing.
So if your roasted turkey recipe calls for washing the raw bird, it may be time to find a new recipe. The only exception to this rule is for brined turkeys, which do need a rinse after brining
The Sole Instance When Washing a Turkey is Advised
The only time you should ever wash a turkey is after brining it. Brining involves soaking the raw turkey in a saltwater solution which adds flavor and moisture. After brining, you’ll want to rinse off some of the salt before cooking.
If you plan to brine your Thanksgiving bird, take these precautions when rinsing to avoid spreading bacteria:
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Clean and sanitize your sink before rinsing the turkey. Remove any dishes, sponges or towels.
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Place the turkey in a pot of cold water rather than the sink to contain bacteria.
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Use a gentle stream of cool water to rinse the turkey, both inside the cavity and outside.
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Drain the turkey thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels.
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Immediately discard the paper towels and sanitize any surfaces that came into contact with raw turkey juice.
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Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds afterwards.
Proper Food Handling Techniques for Raw Poultry
Whether you are rinsing a brined turkey or roasting an unwashed bird, it’s important to follow proper food safety practices when handling raw poultry. Here are some key tips:
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Wash hands and surfaces often – Handwashing is critically important before and after touching raw turkey. Also sanitize any sinks, cutting boards, knives, counters or other surfaces that come into contact.
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Avoid cross-contamination – Be very careful that raw turkey or its juices do not touch any other foods, especially those that will be eaten raw like salads or vegetable platters. Use separate cutting boards and utensils.
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Cook thoroughly – Cook turkeys to an internal temperature of 165°F as measured in the thickest part of the breast and thigh with a food thermometer. This kills any dangerous bacteria that may be present.
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Refrigerate promptly – Raw or cooked turkey should not sit at room temperature for longer than 2 hours. Refrigerate or freeze properly within this time frame.
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Defrost safely – Never thaw a frozen turkey on the counter at room temperature. Use the refrigerator, cold water or the microwave instead.
Step-By-Step Guide to Prepping Your Thanksgiving Turkey
Follow these simple steps for perfectly roasting your holiday bird, whether it is brined or unbrined:
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Remove turkey from packaging – If brined, pat dry with paper towels. If unbrined, place directly into roasting pan.
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Discard giblets and neck – Check inner cavities and remove bag of giblets and neck if present.
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Rinse brined turkey – If brined, rinse inside cavity and outside with cool water. Drain thoroughly.
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Dry brined turkey – Pat brined turkey dry inside and out with paper towels after rinsing.
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Truss turkey – Tie legs together with kitchen string to hold shape for even cooking.
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Coat turkey skin – Brush skin with oil or rub on spices, herbs or compound butter for flavor.
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Stuff cavity – Optionally fill cavity with aromatics like lemon, onion and herbs.
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Roast turkey – Roast in 325°F oven until internal temperature reaches 165°F when tested with meat thermometer.
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Let rest – Allow turkey to rest for 20-30 minutes before carving. This allows juices to redistribute evenly.
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Carve and serve – Slice breast and thigh meat and arrange on a platter. Spoon over pan juices for added moisture and flavor.
While rinsing your Thanksgiving turkey may seem intuitive, it can actually do more harm than good in spreading bacteria around your kitchen. The only case where washing a turkey is recommended is after brining, and even then precautions must be taken. For an unbrined bird, simply remove it from the package and pop it directly in the oven. Follow sound food safety practices like handwashing, preventing cross-contamination and thorough cooking to roast your holiday centerpiece safely.
Should You Clean a Turkey Before Cooking It?
Well… you dont! Just like with other meat, the USDA recommends skipping washing your turkey before you cook it. It doesnt matter if youre roasting, frying, or smoking your turkey, theres no need to give it a rinse unless youve brined it (more on that below). Cooking the turkey kills any bacteria, but washing a turkey before you cook it opens the door to dangerous cross contamination. Instead, take your turkey straight from the package to the roaster.
Do You Wash the Inside of a Turkey Before Cooking It?
Nope! Just like with the outside of a turkey, theres no need to rinse the cavity. All you need to worry about is removing the neck and giblets. Now, if youre working with a brined bird, you will need to rinse the inside. Ree Drummond likes to rinse the inside and outside of her turkey under a running faucet with cold water for several minutes. Then, shell fill up a big pot with cold water, submerge the rinsed turkey, and allow the bird to soak for about 15 minutes. This flushes away some of the saltiness. Its best to soak the turkey in a pot rather than your sink to control the spread of germs.
How To Clean And Prep A Turkey The Right Way | No Dirty Turkeys
FAQ
Are you supposed to wash turkey before cooking?
No, raw chicken and turkey should not be washed before cooking. Washing poultry can spread bacteria, such as Salmonella and Campylobacter, to other surfaces in your kitchen through splashing water.
Do you wash turkey with vinegar?
when the water starts running clean, I pour white vinegar over it. I let it sit for 5 minutes. I rinse. and then I pour the juice of 5 limes over the bird. and into the bird, I massage the acid into it. and I flip it over and do the same to the other side. I rinse it under cold water until it runs clean.
How do you bathe a turkey?
Birds will typically enjoy the warm water. Some will go to sleep, so watch they do not drop their head into the water and drown. Step 2: Put a small amount of shampoo on the bird and wash every part of the bird. Wash in the direction the feathers grow, taking care not to break any.
How do you clean a raw turkey?
Wash your hands, sink, and anything else that has touched the raw turkey. To avoid cross-contamination, wash your hands and forearms with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds after handling the turkey. Then, use hot, soapy water to clean any utensils and kitchen surfaces you used, such as the countertop or sink.
Do I need to rinse the inside of a Turkey?
Just like with the outside of a turkey, there’s no need to rinse the cavity. All you need to worry about is removing the neck and giblets. Now, if you’re working with a brined bird, you will need to rinse the inside. Ree Drummond likes to rinse the inside and outside of her turkey under a running faucet with cold water for several minutes.
Should you wash a Turkey?
Here’s why you should never rinse your turkey — and how to safely prepare your raw bird. “There is no need to wash your turkey,” says Kali Kniel, professor of microbial food safety at the University of Delaware. “You risk splashing bacteria on other surfaces in the kitchen or spreading bacteria around onto your countertops,” Kniel says.
How do you clean a store-bought Turkey?
Cleaning a Store-Bought Turkey Store-bought turkeys typically come packaged with minimal cleaning required. However, it’s still important to follow these steps to ensure proper hygiene and food safety: Thaw your turkey: Choose a thawing method that best suits your time constraints and preferences.
Does washing a Turkey remove bacteria?
Washing poultry, including turkey, won’t actually do anything to remove bacteria. In fact, it can actually help spread the bacteria around your kitchen and even onto you, which can lead to illness. The safest way to prepare your turkey is to simply move it directly from its packaging into the baking dish.
Should you wash a Turkey After brining?
As for the Test Kitchen, they follow the guidance of the USDA and don’t wash turkey—even after brining. To remove the excess salt and water of a wet brine, the Test Kitchen team recommends using paper towels to thoroughly blot the turkey dry, discarding those towels, then washing hands very well before proceeding to the rest of meal prep.