“As you prepare your Thanksgiving Day feast, there are some tips you can follow to make sure food-related illness doesn’t ruin the day,” said Dr. Arnold. “It’s important to properly thaw and cook your turkey to the appropriate temperature, otherwise you run the risk of becoming sick. Also, make sure you wash, with soap and water, your hands, utensils and anything else that comes in contact with raw turkey and its juices to avoid illness.”
If you decide to prepare a fresh turkey, buy it no more than two days ahead of the big meal and make sure you have room to store it in the refrigerator. If you chose a frozen turkey, make sure the turkey is completely thawed either in the refrigerator or in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes until the turkey is thawed. Never defrost a turkey on the kitchen counter. To thaw in the refrigerator, allow approximately 24 hours per four to five pounds of turkey. The turkey should be placed on a tray or pan to catch any juices that may leak. A thawed turkey can remain in the refrigerator safely for one to two days. To thaw in cold water, allow 30 minutes defrosting time per pound of turkey. If the inner cavity is still frozen or even partially frozen when you put the turkey in the oven, the inside temperature will not be hot enough to destroy disease-causing bacteria.
Thawing Time in the Refrigerator
|
Size of Turkey |
Number of Days |
|
4 to 12 pounds |
1 to 3 days |
|
12 to 16 pounds |
3 to 4 days |
|
16 to 20 pounds |
4 to 5 days |
|
20 to 24 pounds |
5 to 6 days |
Thawing Time in Cold Water – changing the water every 30 minutes
|
Size of Turkey |
Hours to Defrost |
|
4 to 12 pounds |
2 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 |
It’s safer to cook the stuffing separately, but if you do stuff the bird, do so just before cooking it and stuff it loosely so it cooks thoroughly. If stuffing is mixed the day before the meal, pre-mix only the dry ingredients. Mixing moist ingredients ahead of time allows bacteria an opportunity to grow.
Approximate Cooking Times for Turkey
(325 degree F oven temperature)
Unstuffed
|
Size of Turkey |
Cooking Time |
|
8 to 12 pounds |
2 ¾ to 3 hours |
|
12 to 14 pounds |
3 to 3 ¾ hours |
|
14 to 18 pounds |
3 ¾ to 4 ¼ hours |
|
18 to 20 pounds |
4 ¼ to 4 ½ hours |
|
20 to 24 pounds |
4 ½ to 5 hours |
Stuffed
|
Size of Turkey |
Cooking Time |
|
8 to 12 pounds |
3 to 3 ½ hours |
|
12 to 14 pounds |
3 ½ to 4 hours |
|
14 to 18 pounds |
4 to 4 ¼ hours |
|
18 to 20 pounds |
4 ¼ to 4 ¾ hours |
|
20 to 24 pounds |
4 ¾ to 5 ¼ hours |
To check the temperature of the turkey, insert a meat thermometer into the center of the thickest part of the thigh, breast or stuffing. All turkey meat, including any that remains pink, is safe to eat as soon as all parts reach at least 165 degrees F. The stuffing should also reach 165 degrees F, whether it is cooked inside the bird or in a separate dish.
All leftovers need to be refrigerated immediately. If they are left to sit for several hours at room temperature, disease-causing bacteria can grow. Also, refrigerate stuffing and other leftovers separate from the bird.
When eating leftovers, they either need to be very cold (directly from the refrigerator) or very hot (at least 165 degrees F). Refrigerated turkey and stuffing should be used within three to four days and gravy within a day or two.