The Secret to a Successful Thanksgiving? The Right Tools to Prepare Your Turkey Safely

For first-time hosts, or even experienced cooks, the Thanksgiving turkey can be a nerve-wracking dish to prepare once a year. The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has some tips to reduce any anxiety over cooking your turkey this year.

Thawing Turkey Safely

There are two safe ways to thaw a turkey: in the refrigerator or in cold water. Thawing a frozen turkey on the kitchen counter, in hot water, or in the garage is not safe. Even though the center of the package may still be frozen, the outer layer of the food is in the Danger Zone between 40 and 140 degrees F - a temperature range where foodborne bacteria multiply rapidly. No matter which method you use, thawing a turkey takes time.

Cooking Turkey Safely

USDA also has helpful tips on cooking turkey based on your preferred cooking method. Regardless of how your turkey is cooked, insert a food thermometer into the thickest part of the breast, the innermost part of the wing and the innermost part of the thigh to check that its internal temperature at all three spots is at 165 degrees F.

Food Safety Specialists are Here for You - Even on Thanksgiving Day!

Need more information about Thanksgiving food safety? Call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854), email [email protected] or chat live at ask.usda.gov from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday to talk to a food safety specialist in English or Spanish. The Meat and Poultry Hotline will be open on Thanksgiving Day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. EST.