Thanksgiving Turkey Tips

— Written By Courtney Tevepaugh and last updated by
en Español / em Português
Español

El inglés es el idioma de control de esta página. En la medida en que haya algún conflicto entre la traducción al inglés y la traducción, el inglés prevalece.

Al hacer clic en el enlace de traducción se activa un servicio de traducción gratuito para convertir la página al español. Al igual que con cualquier traducción por Internet, la conversión no es sensible al contexto y puede que no traduzca el texto en su significado original. NC State Extension no garantiza la exactitud del texto traducido. Por favor, tenga en cuenta que algunas aplicaciones y/o servicios pueden no funcionar como se espera cuando se traducen.


Português

Inglês é o idioma de controle desta página. Na medida que haja algum conflito entre o texto original em Inglês e a tradução, o Inglês prevalece.

Ao clicar no link de tradução, um serviço gratuito de tradução será ativado para converter a página para o Português. Como em qualquer tradução pela internet, a conversão não é sensivel ao contexto e pode não ocorrer a tradução para o significado orginal. O serviço de Extensão da Carolina do Norte (NC State Extension) não garante a exatidão do texto traduzido. Por favor, observe que algumas funções ou serviços podem não funcionar como esperado após a tradução.


English

English is the controlling language of this page. To the extent there is any conflict between the English text and the translation, English controls.

Clicking on the translation link activates a free translation service to convert the page to Spanish. As with any Internet translation, the conversion is not context-sensitive and may not translate the text to its original meaning. NC State Extension does not guarantee the accuracy of the translated text. Please note that some applications and/or services may not function as expected when translated.

Collapse ▲

turkey

Thawing

No need to wash or rinse the turkey before cooking. Washing the turkey in the sink can splash bacteria on clean cooking surfaces and countertops up to 3 feet away!

If you need to thaw your turkey, you can do so in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave. Do not thaw the turkey at room temperature. This may result in the turkey staying in the temperature danger zone (40-140°F) for too long.

Refrigerator – The best and safest way to thaw a turkey is in the refrigerator. Allow 24 hours of thawing time for every 5 lbs.

Cold Water – Place frozen turkey in its packaging under cold running tap water.

Microwave – Thawing times will depend on your specific microwave. Check packaging directions on your turkey.

Cooking

Set the cooking temperature to at least 325°F. Cooking times can range from 2.75 to 5 hours depending on the size. Stuffed turkeys take about 30 minutes longer.

If stuffing your turkey, stuff it loosely and make sure the stuffing is moist. It is safer to cook the stuffing separately.

Use a meat thermometer to check that your turkey is done cooking and has reached a safe internal temperature of 165°F. Stick the meat thermometer in the innermost part of the thigh, the innermost part of the wing, and the thickest part of the breast. The temperature should read at least 165°F in all three places. Note: the turkey juice may not be clear at 165°. That is ok. Often, the juice is clear when the turkey is overcooked, so always check the temperature rather than the juice. If you cook stuffing in your turkey, make sure the center of the stuffing also reaches 165°F.

Leftovers

Keep leftovers for only 4 days. If you want to keep some leftovers for longer, store them in freezer bags or an airtight container in the freezer for up to 4 months. Make sure to refrigerate your leftovers less than 2 hours after they are done cooking. Keep leftovers safe by cooling them faster by cutting the turkey into pieces, line the pieces in a single layer on a pan and let cool before refrigerating.

Reheat leftovers easily in the microwave. Leftovers should reach 165°F or steaming hot.

If you would like even more information on food safety and turkey advice, check out the USDA website links. You can even call the Meat and Poultry Hotline on Thanksgiving if you run into any cooking issues at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854).