Using a meat thermometer is the only sure way to know when your Thanksgiving turkey is fully cooked and safe to eat. But it can be confusing to know exactly where to place the thermometer probe in such a large bird. Follow these simple guidelines on thermometer placement to accurately check doneness.
Why Use a Meat Thermometer?
A meat thermometer takes the guesswork out of determining if your turkey (or any meat) is properly cooked. Color and texture clues can be misleading, but a thermometer gives you an exact, foolproof reading
Undercooked poultry is potentially hazardous, harboring bacteria that cause food poisoning. The CDC recommends cooking turkey to an internal temperature of 165°F to destroy any pathogens.
Using a food thermometer is the only reliable way to confirm every part of the turkey reaches the recommended safe minimum temperature
Where to Place Thermometer in Turkey
To get an accurate reading, the thermometer must be placed properly in the thickest section of meat. For a whole turkey, there are a few key locations to check.
Inner Thigh
Insert the thermometer probe into the innermost area of the thigh, next to but not touching the bone. Make sure to get it into the thickest part of the meat, not near the surface.
The thigh area needs to reach 165°F. If it doesn’t, continue cooking until it does.
Breast
The turkey breast is another important area to check, especially since it tends to cook faster than the thighs and legs.
Insert the thermometer probe into the thickest part of the breast, taking care not to hit any bones. The breast needs to reach 165°F minimum.
Inner Wing
Check the inner wing area in the meatiest section, again without touching bone. Confirm it reaches 165°F.
Checking the wing provides assurance that the entire breast area is fully cooked through.
Stuffing (if applicable)
For a stuffed turkey, the center of the stuffing must reach 165°F too. Insert the thermometer into the center of the stuffing in a few spots to verify.
Oven-Safe Built-in Thermometers
If using an oven-safe thermometer designed to remain inside the turkey while cooking, insert the probe into the inner thigh before placing the turkey in the oven.
Position the display part on the outside of the turkey. It will continuously monitor the temperature so you can check it without opening the oven.
How to Use an Instant-Read Thermometer
Instant-read thermometers offer quick, precise readings to check multiple spots on the turkey. Follow these steps for use:
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Clean probe with soap and water before and after each use.
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Insert thermometer at least 2 inches into the meat.
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Read display after 3-5 seconds when LCD stops flashing.
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Check thigh, breast, wing, stuffing in multiple areas.
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Wash thermometer probe with soap and hot water after use.
Using a good instant-read thermometer means you don’t have to keep opening the oven, preventing heat loss. Just insert, read, and repeat in each recommended area.
Safety Tips
To ensure you get an accurate temperature reading:
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Place probe in the middle of the thickest part of meat, not near bones, fat, gristle, or pan.
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Make sure probe is completely inserted into the meat at least 2-3 inches.
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Allow reading to stabilize for 15-20 seconds before removing probe if not using instant read.
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Check temperature in several spots, not just one.
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Wash probe before and after each use to prevent cross-contamination.
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Use a thermometer designed for meat, not one for ambient air temperature checking.
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Avoid letting wire probe touch bones or the oven walls when hot.
Following proper thermometer placement guidelines ensures you’ll cook your turkey to the safe recommended internal temperature. Taking the temperature in multiple areas protects against undercooking. Now you know exactly where to put the thermometer in the turkey!
Why Do You Have to Measure the Internal Temperature?
Since the outside cooks faster because it’s closer to the heat, checking the temperature of the outside isn’t a good way to tell if the whole bird is done.
Imagine taking a pie out of the oven and admiring how perfectly baked the top crust is? Then, when you cut into it, you found that the filling or bottom crust was not done at all?
How Far In Should It Go?
The thermometer should reach the deepest part of the bird. But that doesn’t mean you should leave it in there the whole time. If you do, you might miss the part that cooks the last (the middle). Follow the directions in your thermometer’s owner’s manual, as they don’t all measure temperature in the same way.
How to Insert a Meat Thermometer into Turkey
FAQ
Is turkey done at 165 or 180?
Is it better to cook a turkey at 325 or 350?
How do you put a thermometer in a Turkey?
There are a few different ways to place a thermometer in a turkey. The best way for you will depend on the type of thermometer you have and the size of your turkey. For a meat thermometer with a probe: 1. Insert the probe into the thickest part of the thigh, avoiding the bone. 2. Make sure the probe is not touching any bone or fat.
Where can I put a temperature probe in a Turkey?
There are a few different places you can put the temperature probe in a turkey, but the best place is in the thickest part of the breast, away from the bone. This will give you the most accurate reading of the turkey’s internal temperature. Can I put the temperature probe in the thigh?
Where should a meat thermometer be inserted?
For an accurate reading, insert the probe at least up to this divot. You should check the temperature in three different places, per the USDA: the thigh, the wing, and the breast. The sweet spot is actually the place where there’s an even layer of meat above and below the probe.
How do you read a turkey meat thermometer?
Slip an instant-read meat thermometer into the thickest part of the turkey thigh, pricking the bird just above the crease between the thigh and the place where the turkey breast begins. Drive your thermometer into the meat and make sure it doesn’t touch a bone, or you’ll get an inaccurate reading.
How do you check the internal temperature of a Turkey?
While cute, “pop-up” timers aren’t always accurate, so the USDA always recommends using a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of a turkey. Our go-to pick? An instant-read meat thermometer which you can get for around $10. You can also use an oven-proof food thermometer if you prefer.
Which type of thermometer is best for a Turkey?
* Thermocouple thermometers are the most accurate type of thermometer, but they can be expensive. Thermocouple thermometers have two metal probes, one of which is inserted into the turkey and the other of which is placed in a cup of ice water. The temperature of the turkey is determined by the difference in temperature between the two probes.