Keep the Holidays Happy with Safe Turkey Preparation

U.S. Department of Agriculture

As we learned in "Foodborne Illness and Older Adult: 10 Myths and Facts," which appeared in the December 2006 issue of Caring Right at Home, seniors are at special risk for food poisoning—and the holidays can be an especially dangerous time. Cooks who are caught up in all the festivities may not be as careful in the kitchen. In addition, some of our traditional holiday foods are extra challenging to prepare safely. The USDA offers these tips for preparing one of the more challenging holiday foods: turkey!

If you purchase your turkey fresh, buy it only 1 to 2 days before you plan to cook it, and keep it stored in the refrigerator. Place it on a tray or in a pan to catch any juices that may leak. The USDA does not recommend purchasing fresh pre-stuffed turkeys, as any harmful bacteria that may be in the stuffing can multiply very quickly.

For frozen turkeys, keep frozen until you're ready to thaw. Turkeys can be kept frozen in the freezer indefinitely; however, cook within one year for best quality.

There are three ways to thaw your turkey safely—in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave oven. Follow the recommended thawing times and instructions on your turkey's packaging. Here are some thawing tips:

• In the refrigerator (40° F or below), allow approximately 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds. Keep the turkey in its original wrapper. Place it on a tray or in a pan to catch any juices that may leak. A thawed turkey can remain in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days. If necessary, a turkey that has been properly thawed in the refrigerator may be refrozen.
  
  
• When thawing in cold water, allow approximately 30 minutes per pound. Wrap your turkey securely, making sure the water is not able to leak through the wrapping. Submerge your wrapped turkey in cold tap water. Change the water every 30 minutes. Cook the turkey immediately after it is thawed. Do not refreeze.
  
  
• In the microwave oven, check your owner's manual for the size turkey that will fit in your microwave oven, the minutes per pound, and power level to use for thawing. Remove all outside wrapping, and place on a microwave-safe dish to catch any juices that may leak. Cook your turkey immediately. Do not refreeze or refrigerate your turkey after thawing in the microwave oven.

REMINDER: Remove the giblets from the turkey cavities after thawing. Cook separately.

Roasting Your Turkey

1. Set your oven temperature no lower than 325° F.
2. Place your turkey or turkey breast on a rack in a shallow roasting pan.
3. For optimum safety, stuffing a turkey is not recommended. For more even cooking, it is recommended you cook your stuffing outside the bird in a casserole. Use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of the stuffing. The stuffing must reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 165° F.
4. If you choose to stuff your turkey, the ingredients can be prepared ahead of time; however, keep wet and dry ingredients separate. Chill all of the wet ingredients (butter/margarine, cooked celery and onions, broth, etc.). Mix wet and dry ingredients just before filling the turkey cavities. Fill the cavities loosely. Cook the turkey immediately. Use a food thermometer to make sure the center of the stuffing reaches a safe minimum internal temperature of 165° F.
5. A whole turkey is safe when cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165° F as measured with a food thermometer. 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, consumers may choose to cook turkey to higher temperatures.
6. If your turkey has a "pop-up" temperature indicator, it is recommended that you also check the internal temperature of the turkey in the innermost part of the thigh and wing and the thickest part of the breast with a food thermometer. The minimum internal temperature should reach 165° F for safety.
7. Remove all stuffing from the turkey cavities. 
   Timetables for Turkey Roasting (325° F oven temperature)

Use the timetables below to determine how long to cook your turkey. These times are approximate. Always use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of your turkey and stuffing.