If theres one thing ubiquitous with the American holiday of Thanksgiving, its eating turkey. Millions of people throughout the United States sit down to a big meal that typically includes turkey as one of the main courses. Dining on a big roasted or fried bird has been a staple for centuries because turkey is one of the foods believed to have been shared between the pilgrims and Native Americans when they celebrated the first Thanksgiving in 1621. (Although we now know that its more likely they may have eaten fowl like ducks and geese along with some venison, explains NPR.)
For many people, roasting a turkey is a little bit easier thanks to a simple little gadget known as the pop-up timer. This smart piece of technology lets you know when your turkey is done so you dont have to stress over it. All you have to do is wait until the red indicator stick pops up and you know the bird is done and its time to eat.
But have you ever wondered how that timer knows exactly when your turkey is completely cooked? Read on to find out.
Turkey poppers are a fun and tasty appetizer perfect for any occasion. These bite-sized treats feature a mixture of ground turkey stuffing and spices wrapped in bacon and held together with a toothpick. When cooked, the bacon crisps up into a lovely package while the interior cooks through. But one common question is – at what temperature do turkey poppers pop?
How Turkey Poppers Work
Turkey poppers get their name from the unique way they are cooked. Small metal skewers called popper sticks are inserted into the raw poppers. The sticks contain a spring wrapped around them and a piece of metal on the end that sits inside the uncooked turkey mixture.
As the poppers bake in the oven, the metal tip heats up until it reaches around 180°F. At this point the metal melts, releasing the spring loaded stick and causing it to pop up out of the turkey! This signals that the interior of the popper has reached a safe temperature.
Why Turkey Poppers Pop
The popping action that gives turkey poppers their memorable name serves an important purpose – it indicates when the center of the poppers is fully cooked.
Poultry needs to reach an internal temperature of 165°F as measured by a food thermometer to be considered safe to eat. If undercooked, bacteria could remain in the meat, posing a food safety risk.
The popper sticks are designed to react when the interior temperature hits around 180°F, ensuring the turkey mixture is thoroughly cooked through once the stick pops up. This unique feature eliminates guesswork and lets you know precisely when the turkey poppers are ready.
What is the Ideal Internal Temperature?
While the popper sticks pop up around 180°F, you still want to verify the interior temperature of the turkey filling reaches the FDA recommended 165°F. This ensures any potentially harmful bacteria is eliminated.
Using an instant read thermometer, check the temperature of one or two turkey poppers once the sticks have popped up. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the popper, avoiding touching any bones. If the reading is below 165°F, return the pan to the oven for additional cooking time until proper temperature is reached.
Achieving the correct internal temperature is vital for safety when cooking ground turkey or other ground meats. Undercooked turkey can harbor dangerous pathogens that cause foodborne illness. Reaching 165°F removes the risk of bacterial growth.
Cooking Times for Turkey Poppers
Cooking times for turkey poppers can vary based on size and oven, but here are general guidelines:
-
In a 375°F oven, turkey poppers take around 15-20 minutes to reach 165°F internally.
-
If cooking frozen poppers, add 5-10 extra minutes to the cook time.
-
Grill cooked turkey poppers may take 10-15 minutes to fully cook through.
-
For extra large poppers over 2 inches wide, increase cook times by 5 minutes.
-
Always verify internal temp with an instant read thermometer before serving.
Test cook times and methods to find the ideal durations for your particular oven and popper recipe. Investing in an instant read thermometer provides the most foolproof results.
Tips for Cooking Turkey Poppers
Follow these useful tips for perfectly cooked turkey poppers every time:
-
Use freshly assembled poppers within 1-2 days for best results. Freezing can make the bacon detach when cooking.
-
Arrange poppers on a foil or parchment lined baking sheet without overcrowding. This allows even cooking.
-
Bake in the center of the oven so air can circulate properly around the pan.
-
Flip halfway during cooking to brown both sides evenly.
-
Brush with maple syrup or brown sugar for candied bacon if desired.
-
If grilling, place over indirect heat and flip frequently to prevent burning.
-
Always verify the internal temperature using an instant read thermometer before serving.
Can Uncooked Poppers be Frozen?
Yes, uncooked assembled turkey poppers can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. To freeze, place raw poppers in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet. Once frozen solid, transfer to an airtight freezer bag or container.
To cook frozen turkey poppers, do not thaw. Arrange the frozen poppers on a sheet pan and add a few extra minutes to the cook time as noted above. The popper sticks will still pop up when the interior reaches the proper temperature.
Freezing uncooked poppers is very convenient for making big batches ahead of time. Pull them straight from the freezer to oven for easy appetizers anytime!
Fun Recipe Ideas and Variations
While classic turkey poppers are always delicious, you can get creative with different fillings and flavors too:
- Feta, spinach, and sun-dried tomato turkey poppers
- BBQ pulled turkey and cheddar poppers
- Jalapeño popper inspired turkey poppers with cream cheese
- Italian herb turkey poppers with mozzarella
- Apple, cranberry, pecan turkey poppers for Thanksgiving
- Inside out poppers – turkey wrapped around stuffing cubes
- Breakfast turkey poppers with egg, cheese, and bacon
You can also use ground pork, chicken, or sausage in place of turkey. Just be sure to cook to the recommended safe internal temperature.
Serving Suggestions
Turkey poppers make the perfect finger food for parties and game days. Serve hot from the oven with various dipping sauces like barbecue, ranch, honey mustard or hot sauce.
They also pair well with fresh veggie crudités, fruit and cheese trays, slaws, chips, and dips. For a meal, enjoy turkey poppers alongside roasted veggies, mashed potatoes or on sandwiches.
No matter how you serve them, turkey poppers are sure to be a crowd-pleasing hit! Just remember to cook them until the popper sticks pop up and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. This guide will help you make these fun bites safely and deliciously.
A Funky Thermometer
If your turkey has a pre-inserted pop-up timer — most turkeys you buy from the grocery store do — you dont have to worry about using a separate meat thermometer. When the turkeys timer pops up, its signaling to you the bird is done. Heres how it works:
A pop-up timer found in a turkey or chicken normally has four parts (see above):
- A: The stick that pops up (typically red)
- B: The outer case (typically white or light blue)
- C: A spring
- D: Piece of soft metal similar to solder
The soft metal (D in the ) is solid at room temperature but turns to a liquid (melts) at about 165 degrees Fahrenheit (73 degrees Celsius). When the metal melts, it releases the red stick (A) and the spring (C) pops up the stick so you know the turkey is done.
Turkey is done when it reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (73 degrees Celsius). If your turkey didnt include a pop-up timer, you can use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature for doneness. Simply insert the thermometer into the innermost part of the turkeys thigh and wing, and the thickest part of the breast, being sure not to hit bone. If it registers 165 degrees Fahrenheit, its done.
One little-known fact is that these timers are reusable. If you dip the tip in hot water it will re-melt the metal and you can push the pop-up piece back into place. Then let it cool, and the pop-up piece will be back in its original position — ready to use again.
The Turkey Pop Up Timer!
FAQ
Are turkey poppers accurate?
“While these thermometers are generally accurate within 1 to 2°F, they can sometimes pop up before the turkey is fully cooked, potentially signaling …Nov 19, 2024
What temperature is a stuffed turkey done at?
Check these places on your turkey and look for these temperatures: 180°F in thigh. 170°F in breast. 165°F in stuffing.
What if the turkey timer doesn’t pop-up?
If your turkey didn’t include a pop-up timer, you can use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature for doneness. Simply insert the thermometer into the innermost part of the turkey’s thigh and wing, and the thickest part of the breast, being sure not to hit bone.
What is a pop-up Turkey timer?
The pop-up turkey timer, also known as a popper, is a handy little device included with most store-bought turkeys to help determine doneness. It’s designed to pop up when the turkey reaches the ideal internal temperature, taking the guesswork out of cook times. But just how accurate and reliable are these pop-up turkey timers really?
How many pop-up thermometers are in a turkey breast?
To find out, we tested 21 pop-up thermometers in whole turkeys and turkey breasts. Our testing covered pop-up timers bought online and put into place by cooks before sliding the bird into the oven, and models pre-inserted in the meat at the processing plant.
How do you re-melt a Turkey pop-up?
If you dip the tip in hot water it will re-melt the metal and you can push the pop-up piece back into place. Then let it cool, and the pop-up piece will be back in its original position — ready to use again. Lots of turkeys sold in the United States come with a cool little piece of technology – the pop-up timer.
Does a pop-up timer really work for Thanksgiving turkeys?
For decades, one purported solution to this holiday hassle has been the pop-up timer that comes with some birds, a device invented to take the uncertainty out of poultry cooking times, especially for Thanksgiving turkeys.
What temperature should a Turkey be cooked at?
Advertisement That’s because commercial turkey buttons are set to pop at 180 to 185 degrees Fahrenheit, even though you should actually remove the turkey from the oven when it reaches 160 degrees F (then you temperature will continue rising as it rests on the counter, to the FDA-recommended 165 degrees Fahrenheit).
Why do poppers not work?
Unfortunately, there are a few reasons why poppers often don’t work as expected. While convenient in theory, pop-up timers have some inherent flaws that affect their accuracy: Inconsistent calibration – Poppers can be calibrated to pop at slightly different temperatures, ranging from 160°F to as high as 185°F.