HOUSTON – Gobble gobble! Is your turkey ready for the oven this Thanksgiving?
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has provided its annual tips on how to prepare your Thanksgiving turkey to prevent any food-borne illnesses, from thawing to cooking.
Recommended Videos
If you have a turkey sitting in your freezer, it is recommended you take it out within a reasonable amount of time so it may thaw properly. Thawing your turkey in your refrigerator lasts 24 hours per five pounds or in cold water for 30 minutes per pound.
The USDA does not recommend thawing your turkey in hot water or on the countertop at room temperature for more than two hours.
Washing your turkey in hot water is not recommended either, as there is a great risk for cross-contaminating germs. However, if you do wash your turkey, the USDA recommends sanitizing your sink with soap and hot water before and after washing.
Planning to add stuffing inside the bird? The USDA does not recommend stuffing prior to the oven, as it prolongs the cooking time.
You also need to make sure the bird reaches an internal cooking temperature of 165 degrees.
Unstuffed turkeys can be cooked for 350 degrees inside an oven bag, with 12- to 16-pound birds cooking for up to 2.5 hours. If you are stuffing your bird, 30 minutes should be added to the cooking time.
All perishable foods need to be refrigerated within two hours of being cooked, or the items may become unsafe from bacteria multiplying quickly.
Thanksgiving leftovers can be stored safely for up to four days in a refrigerator. While frozen, it is best to only keep leftovers between two to six months. Leftovers should be reheated to an internal temperature of 165 degrees after allowing it time to cool.
Need extra guidance on Thanksgiving food safety? You can call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1.888.MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) or chat live from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time Monday through Friday.
More tips on cooking your perfect Thanksgiving turkey can be found here.