TIPS FOR COOKING A TURKEY
If you are preparing a traditional turkey feast, the following tips for cooking
a turkey can help you prepare a safe and delicious meal. Turkey food safety is important
to minimize risk of foodborne illness – an illness that arises from improper handling,
preparation, or storage of food. We also provide healthy meal ideas for what to
do with your turkey leftovers!
Tips for Cooking a Turkey – Thawing a Turkey Properly
If you purchase your turkey frozen you will need to thaw your bird properly to cook
turkey safely.
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You can thaw your frozen bird in the refrigerator. Allow about
24 hours per five pounds of turkey. (That means a 20-pound frozen turkey for Thanksgiving
has to start defrosting the previous Sunday.)
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Once thawed, you should only continue to refrigerate the turkey for another 1 or
2 days, so plan accordingly.
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If you forget to thaw the turkey in time, don't worry; simply submerge the whole
turkey in COLD water (using a leak-proof plastic bag is recommended),
changing the water every 30 minutes. This will generally take 30 minutes defrosting
time for each pound of frozen turkey.
Tips for Cooking a Turkey – Cooking a Turkey
Follow package or specific recipe instructions for turkey and stuffing cooking times
and temperatures.
Be sure you use a meat thermometer stuck in the thickest part of
the meat to ensure that the turkey temperature reaches 180 degrees. Even if the
turkey comes with a pop-up thermometer, check the temperature with a meat thermometer.
It is safest to cook stuffing separately. If you choose to cook it in the bird:
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Stuff the bird loosely just before you put it in the oven (about ¾ cup of stuffing
per pound of poultry).
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Make sure that the center of the stuffing reaches 165°F, using a meat thermometer.
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Stuffing Tip: If the turkey is done before the stuffing is fully
cooked, remove the stuffing and heat it on the stovetop to 165°F.
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Tips for Cooking a Turkey – Storing Leftovers
To store leftovers safely the Food Safety and Inspection Service of the USDA
recommends the following:
It is also important to eat your leftovers in a timely manner
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Leftover turkey, stuffing, and other cooked dishes will only stay safe to eat in
the refrigerator for 3-4 days, so you may want to freeze any portions
you can't finish by then.
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Gravy lasts only 1-2 days in the refrigerator but can also be frozen and
enjoyed at a later date.
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In the freezer cooked turkey pieces stay safe to eat for 4 months
while stuffing and gravy are safe to eat for 1 month.
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Tips for Cooking a Turkey – Reheating Leftovers
Inadequate heating in the microwave or conventional oven can contribute to foodborne
illness.
- All turkey leftovers should be reheated thoroughly to an internal
temperature of 165 F.
- Always bring gravy to a roiling boil before re-serving.
- If you are reheating in the microwave oven, cover food and be sure to rotate the
dish so it heats evenly.
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Recipes for Turkey Leftovers
Here are a few tried and true favorites for you to make with those delicious turkey
leftovers:
The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration that brings together family and friends, often to enjoy a delicious turkey meal. We hope you found these tips for cooking a turkey useful!
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