The big day is almost here, and with it all the turkey and fixings you await all year long. To ensure that your Thanksgiving is spent full of laughs and quality time with your loved ones, it is important to ensure that your turkey is cooked properly.
Undercooked turkey can make your guests sick with foodborne illness. Common foodborne pathogens like salmonella and norovirus can make their way onto Thanksgiving plates when turkey is not cooked to the proper temperature of 165 degrees.
However, undercooked turkey is not the only way that you can spread foodborne pathogens in your kitchen. Be sure to practice these kitchen safety tips when handling your turkey:
Store your turkey properly: Keep your raw turkey in the freezer until you are ready to thaw it, and ensure the freezer temperature is at or below 0 degrees.
Thaw your cooking safely: There are a few ways you can do this, but the two best ways are thawing in the refrigerator or in cold water. If you choose the refrigerator route, allow about 24 hours of thawing for each 4-5 pounds of turkey. For cold water thawing, ensure your turkey is in a leak-free bag and completely cover your turkey with cold water. Replace the water every 30 minutes and allow about 30 minutes of thaw time per pound of turkey.
Be mindful of your cutting boards: Use one cutting board for handling your raw turkey and a separate cooking board for other foods that won’t be cooked.
Do not rinse your raw turkey in the sink: According to the CDC, washing raw turkey can spread germs to other foods. Poultry juice can make it onto utensils, countertops, and other foods without you knowing, which poses a risk for spreading foodborne pathogens.
To help you avoid any kitchen mishaps and potential holiday-ruining sickness, Instacart has created this turkey cooking time calculator. The calculator takes into account the weight of your turkey and your preferred level of doneness so you can focus on what is most important — making memories and enjoying delicious food with your flock.
Lydia McAllister is a content creator who develops helpful and compelling stories. Her passion for digital marketing and creative writing has led her to cover unique topics ranging from business to lifestyle. She calls Texas home and enjoys practicing yoga, trying out new recipes, and spending time with her adorable nephew.