Tips on cooking a Thanksgiving turkey- avoiding foodborne illness

Part II:  Cooking time and temperature for your Thanksgiving Turkey

Time to cook turkey. There are many ways to cook a turkey, roasting, deep frying, barbecuing and more!  The most important thing to do no matter how you are cooking your turkey is to measure the internal temperature of the turkey with a meat thermometer to make sure it is fully cooked.  A stuffed turkey will take more time.

How to add stuffing to the turkey: Stuffing should be prepared and stuffed into the turkey immediately before it's placed in the oven. Mix the wet and dry ingredients for the stuffing separately and combine just before using. Stuff the turkey loosely, about 3/4 cup stuffing per pound of turkey. Bake any extra stuffing in a greased casserole dish. Cooked inside or outside the bird, all stuffing and dressing recipes must be cooked to a minimum temperature of 165 °F.

Where to put the temperature? ! Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, not touching bone. Cook to a minimum internal temperature of 165 °F. Check the internal temperature in the innermost part of the thigh and wing and the thickest part of the breast. Turkeys can be cooked  to a higher temperature but not to exceed 170 °F in the breast and 180 °F in the thigh. (If the turkey is done and the stuffing is not yet 165 °F, remove the stuffing from the turkey and place it in a greased casserole dish to continue cooking to temperature.)

Thermal/Conventional Oven Open Pan Method Timetable for Roasting a Turkey at 325 °F.

You May Also Be Interest in Thanksgiving Tip Sheets and Printables from our Website:

Cook your Thanksgiving Turkey germ-free!

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Holiday food safety reminders – Avoiding cross contamination in the kitchen.

Turkey food safety- Guidelines for buying, storing and thawing your turkey for Thanksgiving

Holiday Shopping List by Food Groups

Guest and Meal Planning Food Groups Sheet

Healthy Thanksgiving Day Leftover Meal Labels

Source:  www.holidayfoodsafety.org