![]() ![]() And what are the odds that a turkey pulled at 157☏ (69☌) will remain at that temp for at least a minute? 100% because of something called Carryover Cooking. This shows that a turkey held at 157☏ (69☌) for 50.4 seconds will achieve the same lethality on Salmonella as a turkey cooked to 165☏ (74☌) does instantaneously. Note this screenshot from the USDA’s own tables on turkey safety… Achieving a reduction of the poultry pathogen Salmonella is a function of both time and temperature. The other challenge is that people misinterpret the food safety tables put out by the USDA. Since the dark meat, like a brisket, needs higher temperatures for the collagen to melt, our recommendation for the tender dark meat is 175-180☏ (79-82☌)! ( Read more here about how to achieve both temps in the same bird.) IS IT SAFE TO EAT? Cooking them at the same time is a little like trying to cook a steak and a brisket in the same oven. Part of the challenge here is that a whole turkey actually has two very different types of meat on the same bird: the lean and tender white meat of the breast and the heavily worked dark meat of the legs and thighs. But if you’ve ever eaten properly cooked turkey white meat, you know it can be moist and absolutely delicious without any added condiment! TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF MEAT It’s also why turkey gravy and cranberry sauce are de rigueur on so many Thanksgiving dinner tables. Our answer? Cook the breast meat to 157☏ (69☌) for moist, juicy turkey.īone dry turkey white meat is the reason so many people kind of hate turkey. But despite what they all say, you absolutely should NOT cook your turkey breast meat to 165☏ (74☌) or to-heaven forbid-180☏ (82☌)! WHAT TEMPERATURE IS TURKEY DONE?Ĭlick on almost any other “how to cook a turkey” post and you’ll see the same bad information repeated over and over. But for delicious turkey, you want to cook your turkey until it is done and not a moment longer. They help you estimate when to start cooking your turkey relative to dinner time. So, can you trust a turkey time chart to make sure your turkey is a) done enough to be safe to eat or b) not dry and tasteless? No, you cannot. Whether it was completely thawed or still partially frozen.How warm it was when it went into the oven or smoker.It’s shape dimensions relative to other turkeys.Using a roasting pan with a lid (don’t do this BTW).The type of roasting pan: whether it’s dark, shiny, or dull.Where the turkey is positioned in the oven or smoker.The type of oven (conventional, convection).The accuracy of your oven or smoker (most ovens are off their set point by 25-50☏ ).Let’s start with some of the most common questions… HOW LONG TO COOK A TURKEY?Ĭharts and posts about turkey cooking times abound promising “Turkey Cook Times,” but they all share the same fundamental flaw- no chart can take into account all the variables that can actually affect your particular turkey’s actual cooking time… Now that you’ve reviewed the “at a glance” headlines, it’s time to dig a little deeper. To say nothing about the real danger of food poisoning with poultry! And YET, how often do you cook a whole turkey during the other 364 days of the year? Maybe at Christmas? Maybe never? Cooking a perfect Thanksgiving Turkey on cue is a little like being called in to throw the winning touchdown when you haven’t touched a football all year. If the turkey is just perfect, everyone somehow feels more thankful. If the turkey isn’t right, the day gets an asterisk. No other holiday has such a laser focus on a single piece of food-the Thanksgiving Turkey. How to Cook a Turkey In Depth: Everything You Need to Know… The lowest reading you find should be 157☏ (69☌) in the breast or put it back in the oven or smoker a little longer. Verify Turkey Doneness: Be sure to verify your doneness temps with an instant-read thermometer.If you read a post telling you exactly “how long to cook a turkey,” hit the back button fast. Oven Temps: Best roasting is two stage process- 425☏ (218☌) for 1 hour, then down to 325☏ (163☌) for however long it takes until the turkey is done.Place an alarm thermometer probe in the thickest part of the breast (another in the thigh). Internal Temp Tracking: Track internal turkey temps while roasting, if you can. ![]() ![]() Best thaw method is in the fridge-1 day per 5 lbs. Thawing: You need to verify that your turkey is fully thawed before putting it in the oven or smoker or frier to avoid disaster.( USDA charts here or read more below to see why this is safe.) How to Cook a Turkey at a Glance: Cooking Time and More Turkey Doneness Temp: 157☏ (69☌) in the breast- not 165☏ !, and 175☏ (79☌) in the thigh for moist turkey. ![]()
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