Food Safety Tips for Preparing a Holiday Turkey

Safe Thawing

The USDA recommends three ways to defrost turkeys: in the refrigerator, in cold water and in the

microwave.

Never defrost a turkey on the counter!!!

Refrigerator Thawing

Plan ahead for slow thawing in the refrigerator. For every 5 pounds of turkey allow approximately 24

hours of thawing time in a refrigerator set at 40°F. After thawing, keep turkey refrigerated for only 1-2

days, or use the following chart to help you countdown to the holiday.

Size of Turkey Thawing Time in the

Refrigerator

8 to 12 pounds 1 to 2 days

12 to 16 pounds 2 to 3 days

16 to 20 pounds 3 to 4 days

20 to 24 pounds 4 to 5 days

Cold Water Thawing

If you forget to thaw the turkey or don’t have room in the refrigerator for thawing, don’t panic. You can

submerge the bird or cut-up parts in cold water in its airtight packaging or in a leak-proof bag. Allow

about 30 minutes defrosting time per pound of turkey. Change the water every 30 minutes to be sure

it stays cold. The following times are suggested for thawing a turkey in water.

Size of Turkey Hours to Defrost

8 to 12 pounds 4 to 6 hours

12 to 16 pounds 6 to 8 hours

16 to 20 pounds 8 to 10 hours

20 to 24 pounds 10 to 12 hours

Turkeys thawed by the cold water method should be cooked immediately.

Microwave Thawing

Follow the oven manufacturer’s instructions when thawing a turkey in the

microwave. Check the instructions for the size turkey that will fit in your

oven, the minutes per pound, and the power level to use for thawing. Plan

to cook immediately after thawing because some areas of the turkey may

begin to cook during microwave thawing.

Safe Cooking

Set the oven temperature no lower than 325°F. Preheating the oven is not necessary.

Place turkey on a rack in a shallow roasting pan large enough to hold the turkey and a meat thermometer.

For food safety and uniform doneness of the turkey, cook stuffing separately in a casserole dish. Use a food thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the stuffing has reached 165°F in the middle, thickest part.

Check the temperature in several locations, being sure to include the wing joint. Whole poultry is safe when the meat is cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165°F as measured with a food thermometer. All turkey meat including any that remains pink is safe to eat as long as all parts reach at least 165°F. Check the internal temperature in the innermost part of the thigh and wing and the thickest part of the breast. For reasons of personal preference, it is still best to cook turkey to higher temperatures such as 180° F to remove pink appearance and rubbery texture.

If the turkey has a “pop up” temperature indicator, it is also recommended that a food thermometer be used to test in several places, including the innermost part of the thigh.

Many factors can affect the roasting time of a whole turkey:

• A frozen or partially frozen turkey takes longer to cook than a completely thawed turkey.

• A turkey will cook faster in a dark roasting pan.

• The use of a foil tent for the entire cooking time can slow cooking.

• Putting a lid on the roasting pan speeds up cooking.

• An oven-cooking bag will shorten cooking time.

Judging cooking time for your turkey will be easier if the following chart is used. The times listed are for a fresh or thawed turkey in an oven at 325°F. These times are approximate; the only way to determine doneness is by using a thermometer.

Size of Turkey

Estimated Cooking Time

8 to 12 pounds 3 to 3.5 hours

12 to 14 pounds 3.5 to 4 hours

14 to 18 pounds 4 to 4.25 hours

18 to 20 pounds 4.25 to 4.75 hours

20 to 24 pounds 4.75 to 5.25 hours

When turkey is removed from the oven, let stand 20 minutes.

Storing Leftovers

Cut the turkey into small pieces; refrigerate turkey and stuffing separately in shallow containers within

2 hours of cooking.

Use left over turkey and stuffing within 3-4 days; gravy within 1-2 days; or

freeze these foods.

It is safe to refreeze leftover turkey and trimmings – even if you purchased

them frozen. Wrap tightly for best quality.

Reheat leftovers thoroughly to a temperature of 165°F or until hot and steaming.