Thanksgiving Dinner: How to Prepare Your Turkey and Trimmings Safely

If you're responsible for preparing the Thanksgiving turkey, it's crucial to prioritize safety.

Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, family gatherings, and, of course, a delicious feast. Unfortunately, mishandling your turkey and trimmings can lead to foodborne illnesses that can spoil the holiday for you and your loved ones.

Let's explore four essential steps to help ensure your Thanksgiving meal is safe and delicious for everyone.

1. Thaw Your Turkey Safely

One of the first steps in turkey preparation is thawing, and it's vital to do it safely to prevent harmful bacteria growth. Here are three recommended methods to thaw your turkey:
Refrigerator Thawing
Place your turkey in its original wrapping inside a container and store it in the refrigerator. Allow about 24 hours of thawing time for every 4-5 pounds of turkey. For instance, a 15-pound turkey will need 3-4 days in the fridge.

After thawing, your turkey can remain refrigerated for up to two days before cooking.

Cold Water Thawing
Ensure your turkey is in a leak-proof plastic bag before immersing it in cold tap water in your sink. Change the thawing water every 30 minutes to promote a continual thawing process.

Allow about 30 minutes of thawing for every pound of turkey. For a 15-pound turkey, this would take approximately 7-8 hours. A turkey thawed in cold water must be cooked immediately after thawing.

Microwave Thawing
It’s crucial to follow the microwave manufacturer's instructions for thawing turkeys. You must cook a turkey immediately after thawing it in the microwave (as with cold water thawing).

2. Handle Your Turkey with Care

Raw turkey and its juices can carry harmful bacteria. So, it’s important to handle your turkey correctly. Doing so will help prevent contaminating kitchen surfaces and other food items. The following tips can help you in this effort:
Hand Hygiene
Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling the turkey.

Use Separate Surfaces
Use a separate cutting board exclusively for raw turkey. Never allow the raw turkey or its juices to come into contact with cooked food or fresh produce that's ready to eat.

Sanitization
Once you’ve prepared the raw turkey, sanitation is critical. Wash cutting boards, utensils, dishes, and countertops with soap and hot water. Do these tasks before moving on to the next item. Do not wash or rinse the raw turkey. This can increase the risk of bacteria spreading to other foods.

3. Cook your turkey thoroughly.

Proper cooking is the key to a safe and delicious Thanksgiving meal. Follow these recommendations for roasting your turkey.
Temperature Setting
Set your oven temperature to at least 325°F.

Roasting Pan
Place the completely thawed turkey in a roasting pan 2 to 2 ½ Inches deep. Cooking times depend on the turkey's weight and whether it's stuffed.

Food Thermometer
Use a food thermometer to ensure safe internal temperatures. Cook your turkey and stuffing to a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees.

Check the temperature in the stuffing's center. Also, check the thickest parts of the breast, thigh, and wing. This will help ensure you cook the turkey and stuffing thoroughly so it’s safe to eat.

Even if your turkey has a pop-up timer, using a food thermometer is still advisable.

Resting Time
Allow the turkey to stand for 20 minutes before carving. This practice will help ensure you’ve cooked the turkey thoroughly and that it’s easier to carve.

4. Take Care of Leftovers

One of the joys of Thanksgiving is indulging in leftovers. To keep them safe for consumption, remember these guidelines.
Prompt Refrigeration
Refrigerate leftovers at 40°F or colder within 2 hours of cooking to prevent food poisoning.

Slice for Cooling
Slice larger cuts of meat into smaller pieces before refrigerating. This allows them to cool quickly.

Reheating
When serving leftovers, reheat them to at least 165°F to ensure they're safe to eat.

Safety Comes First!

Many will gather with loved ones in the coming weeks to share a Thanksgiving meal. Remember that food safety is essential. Thoughtful preparation helps ensure that everyone around the table enjoys the holiday.

May your Thanksgiving be safe and filled with wonderful memories. All of us at the Moultrie County Health Department wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!