When it comes to stuffing, people have strong opinions. It’s hard to decide between cornbread, cubed bread, homemade, and stove-top. Even the words “stuffing” and “dressing” are controversial. But no matter what, people agree on one thing: you should put the bread, broth, and vegetables inside the turkey before roasting it.
Don’t care what they say; use this story as proof that you won’t be stuffing your turkey any time soon. For those who like things to stay the same, you could always stuff the roasted bird with cooked stuffing right before serving. The haters dont need to know you didnt do it 100 percent their way.
Stuffing a turkey is a time-honored tradition for many families during the holidays. The savory blend of bread, veggies, herbs and spices not only adds flavor to the turkey, but it also provides a delicious way to use up stale bread and leftovers. However, due to potential food safety issues, the practice of stuffing poultry is controversial. So is it actually okay to put stuffing in a turkey?
The Potential Risks Of Stuffing Poultry
According to the USDA stuffing whole poultry like turkey is not recommended for a couple key reasons
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It can increase the risk of bacteria growth and foodborne illness Stuffing provides conditions that could allow bacteria to survive and multiply
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It takes longer for the turkey and stuffing to fully cook to a safe internal temperature. The stuffing is more prone to remain in the danger zone for bacteria growth.
Stuffing is considered more hazardous than cooking turkey alone. The moist stuffing can provide favorable conditions for salmonella and other dangerous bacteria potentially present to grow and multiply.
Bacteria thrive in temperatures between 40°F and 140°F known as the danger zone. They multiply rapidly between 70°F and 125°F. The stuffing provides a moist protein-rich environment for rapid growth.
Key Concerns Around Cooking Times
A whole stuffed turkey often takes longer to cook than an unstuffed turkey. The problem is the turkey exterior can become overdone by the time the stuffing inside reaches a safe 165°F minimum.
The stuffing is somewhat insulated being inside the turkey, so it heats up more slowly. Even when the breast and thighs of the turkey reach optimal doneness, the stuffing may still be undercooked and contain surviving bacteria.
You want the turkey and stuffing to both finish cooking within 1 hour of each other according to USDA guidelines. This can be challenging with a stuffed bird.
How To Reduce Risk When Stuffing Poultry
If stuffing your turkey, keep these recommendations in mind:
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Cook any raw meat, seafood or eggs thoroughly before adding to stuffing.
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Stuff loosely and just before roasting. About 3/4 cup stuffing per pound of turkey.
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Cook immediately after stuffing at a minimum 325°F oven. Do not let sit out before cooking.
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Use a food thermometer to check the stuffing reaches 165°F after cooking. If under, bake extra in dish.
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Do not store leftover stuffing inside turkey. Refrigerate separately.
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Reheat leftovers to 165°F. Do not microwave due to uneven heating.
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If smoking or grilling turkey, cook stuffing alongside in oven dish not inside the bird.
Being diligent with temperature and food safety practices can reduce, but not completely eliminate risks. So weigh the risks and benefits when deciding whether to stuff poultry.
Safest Practices For Stuffing And Poultry
For maximum safety and control when cooking stuffing and turkey, the USDA suggests the following:
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Cook the stuffing completely separate from the poultry in a casserole dish. This allows better heat circulation and guarantees the stuffing reaches 165°F sufficient to kill bacteria.
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Prepare stuffing just before adding to casserole dish to limit time in the danger zone. Use a thermometer to verify it reaches 165°F.
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Roast turkey unstuffed, seasoning the cavity with herbs or citrus instead. Cook to proper internal temperature for ideal doneness.
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Make stock ahead to add flavor to stuffing. Use broth to keep casserole stuffing moist.
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Refrigerate leftovers from both turkey and stuffing within 2 hours. Store in shallow containers for quicker chilling.
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Reheat thoroughly to 165°F. Avoid microwaving stuffing due to uneven heating potential.
Cooking the stuffing entirely separate from the turkey allows for the greatest safety and control over the two elements. But if you choose to stuff, do so carefully and immediately before roasting.
Alternatives To Traditional Bread Stuffing
If you want to eliminate the risks of stuffing, consider the following flavorful alternatives for adding taste and moisture to the turkey cavity:
- Quartered oranges, lemons, limes or apples
- Chopped onions, carrots, celery and garlic
- Fresh herbs like rosemary, sage, thyme and parsley
You can also rub the cavity with herbs and spices before roasting. Or skip stuffing altogether and use that oven space for more side dishes!
Should You Cook Stuffing Ahead Of Time?
It is not recommended to prepare stuffing in advance or cook it fully before stuffing poultry. This allows risk of bacteria growth.
The USDA states you should only combine stuffing ingredients and stuff the bird immediately before putting it in the oven. Never stuff turkeys in advance and refrigerate them before cooking.
For food safety, mix your stuffing and roast the stuffed turkey right away. Don’t give bacteria a head start multiplying in the moist stuffing before heat is applied!
Is It Better To Bake Stuffing In The Oven?
Baking stuffing in a casserole dish in the oven is considered safer than stuffing poultry. The stuffing heats evenly from all sides and you can guarantee it reaches the proper internal temperature.
Many cooks prefer baked stuffing as it develops a crispy, flavorful crust vs stuffing cooked inside poultry. You also have more control adding liquid and seasoning to your taste.
If you still want the turkey-infused flavors, use turkey stock in the stuffing. Cook giblets in the stuffing or bake them directly in the dish. But avoid stuffing for safety.
While many love the tradition of a beautifully stuffed turkey, it does come with added risks you should consider. Cooking the stuffing entirely separately provides the most control and safety. But if you choose to stuff, do so carefully following food safety guidelines. Use a thermometer to verify the stuffing reaches 165°F minimum for food safety and enjoy your holiday feast!
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You Could Overstuff the Turkey
No, your turkey wont explode in the oven. It will, however, make it even harder to get the stuffing to cook evenly, meaning youre even more likely to get a scorched bird—or wind up with salmonella-susceptible pockets of undercooked stuffing.
It Turns Gummy
Since the turkey juices seep into the stuffing while it cooks and the stuffing itself is inside the bird, protecting it like SPF 10,000, the side dish tends to get extra juicy, making it fluffy and almost gooey.
Should You Cook Your Stuffing Inside or Outside Your Turkey?
FAQ
Should you put stuffing inside the turkey?
What happens if you leave stuffing in a turkey?
What should I put in the cavity of my turkey?
Does stuffing increase cooking time?
Can you cook Thanksgiving stuffing inside a Turkey?
Cooking Thanksgiving stuffing inside your turkey is problematic at best and dangerous at worst. You risk either overcooking the turkey, or undercooking the stuffing. Fortunately, there’s a much easier and simpler way to get lots of turkey flavor into your Thanksgiving stuffing.
Is it safe to cook turkey stuffing if it thaws?
The raw stuffing introduces additional bacteria. The cool temperature of the refrigerator (usually no higher than 40 °F) discourages but does not stop the growth of harmful organisms in the turkey as it thaws. If there are ice crystals in the turkey and the stuffing is still frozen, it is safe to cook.
Is a stuffed turkey safe for Thanksgiving?
A stuffed turkey often represents the quintessential Thanksgiving centerpiece. Seasoned bread and tender aromatics packed into the center of a golden-brown turkey, soaking up all that savory flavor. It might be picture-perfect, but is that stuffing safe? Be Thanksgiving-ready with the help of the Test Kitchen experts.
Is stuffing a Turkey worth it?
Yes—as long as you take certain measures. And it still might not be worth it. It’s hard enough to cook a whole turkey to the right temperature because the light and dark meat cook differently. Adding stuffing further complicates things. Stuffing should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
Should you stuff a Turkey in the oven?
After all, when you’ve got dishes like green bean casserole and pumpkin pie on the menu, every bit of oven space is prime real estate. Despite the benefits of stuffing a turkey, it’s not a safe practice, says Baker.
What temperature should turkey stuffing be stuffed?
When stuffed, the turkey’s raw juices come in direct contact with the stuffing. This means that in order to be safe to eat, your stuffing has to reach 165°F. But by the time the stuffing is safe, the rest of the turkey will be well over 180°F, and will basically have turned into tough, dry turkey jerky.