Let’s talk turkey

A consumer guide to

safely roasting a turkey

Source: USDA (www.fsis.usda.gov)

Fresh Turkeys

Allow one pound of turkey per person.

Buy your turkey only one to two days before you plan to cook it.

Keep it stored in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook it. Place it on a tray or in a pan to catch any juices that may leak.

Do not buy fresh pre-stuffed turkeys. If not handled properly, any harmful bacteria that may be in the stuffing can multiply very quickly.

Frozen Turkeys

Allow one pound of turkey per person.

Keep frozen until you’re ready to thaw it.

Turkeys can be kept frozen in the freezer indefinitely; however, cook within one year for best quality.

See “Thawing Your Turkey” for thawing instructions.

Frozen Pre-Stuffed Turkeys

USDA recommends only buying frozen pre-stuffed turkeys that display the USDA or State mark of inspection on the packaging. These turkeys are safe because they have been processed under controlled conditions. DO NOT THAW before cooking. Cook from the frozen state. Follow package directions for proper handling and cooking.Allow 1¼ pounds of turkey per person.

Thawing Your Turkey

There are three ways to thaw your turkey safely — in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave oven.

Thawing Your Turkey In the Refrigerator (40 °F or below)

Allow approximately 24 hours for every four to five pounds

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

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 one to two days. If necessary, a turkey that has been properly thawed in the refrigerator may be refrozen.

Thawing Your Turkey In Cold Water

Allow approximately 30 minutes per pound

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

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.

Thawing Your Turkey 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.

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

Set your oven temperature no lower than 325 °F.

Place your turkey or turkey breast on a rack in a shallow roasting pan.

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.

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.

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.

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.

For quality, let the turkey stand for 20 minutes before carving to allow juices to set. The turkey will carve more easily.

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.

Unstuffed

4 to 8 pounds (breast) 1½ to 3¼ hours

8 to 12 pounds 2¾ to 3 hours

12 to 14 pounds 3 to 3¾ hours

14 to 18 pounds 3¾ to 4¼ hours

18 to 20 pounds 4¼ to 4½ hours

20 to 24 pounds 4½ to 5 hours

Stuffed

4 to 6 pounds (breast) Not usually applicable

6 to 8 pounds (breast) 2½ to 3½ hours

8 to 12 pounds 3 to 3½ hours

12 to 14 pounds 3½ to 4 hours

14 to 18 pounds 4 to 4¼ hours

18 to 20 pounds 4¼ to 4¾ hours

20 to 24 pounds 4¾ to 5¼ hours

It is safe to cook a turkey from the frozen state. The cooking time will take at least 50 percent longer than recommended for a fully thawed turkey. Remember to remove the giblet packages during the cooking time. Remove carefully with tongs or a fork.

Optional Cooking Hints

Tuck wing tips under the shoulders of the bird for more even cooking. This is referred to as “akimbo.”

Add ½ cup of water to the bottom of the pan.

If your roasting pan does not have a lid, you may place a tent of heavy-duty aluminum foil over the turkey for the first one to one and one-half hours. This allows for maximum heat circulation, keeps the turkey moist, and reduces oven splatter. To prevent overbrowning, foil may also be placed over the turkey after it reaches the desired color.

If using an oven-proof food thermometer, place it in the turkey at the start of the cooking cycle. It will allow you to check the internal temperature of the turkey while it is cooking. For turkey breasts, place thermometer in the thickest part. For whole turkeys, place in the thickest part of the inner thigh. Once the thigh has reached 165 °F, check the wing and the thickest part of the breast to ensure the turkey has reached a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F throughout the product.

If using an oven cooking bag, follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on the package.

REMEMBER! Always wash hands, utensils, the sink, and anything else that comes in contact with raw turkey and its juices with soap and water.

Storing Your Leftovers

Discard any turkey, stuffing, and gravy left out at room temperature longer than two hours; one hour in temperatures above 90 °F.

Divide leftovers into smaller portions. Refrigerate or freeze in covered shallow containers for quicker cooling.

Use refrigerated turkey, stuffing, and gravy within three to four days.

If freezing leftovers, use within two to six months for best quality.

Reheating Your Turkey

Cooked turkey may be eaten cold or reheated.

In the Oven

Set the oven temperature no lower than 325 °F.

Reheat turkey to an internal temperature of 165 °F. Use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature.

To keep the turkey moist, add a little broth or water and cover.

In the Microwave Oven

Cover your food and rotate it for even heating. Allow standing time.

Check the internal temperature of your food with a food thermometer to make sure it reaches 165 °F.

Consult your microwave oven owner’s manual for recommended times and power levels.

For more information about food safety (in English and Spanish), call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday or you may contact “Ask Karen,” FSIS’ Web-based automated response system – available 24/7 at www.fsis.usda.gov or contact the Clinton County Extension Office at 387-5404.

Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

Christmas Village set for Nov. 21

The Homemakers Annual Christmas Village will be held on November 21st at the Learning Center from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Participants ages 3-12 will be allowed to purchase up to six gifts for family members. Most items cost $5 or less. Homemaker elves will shop with the children so that gifts will be a true surprise when opened. Story time, singing, and simple crafts will be available. Santa will be there so bring your camera for those special holiday photos! For more information, contact the Extension Office at 387-5404.

Couponing class

If you’re interested in couponing, then come put your skills into practice this Friday, November 22nd at 6:00 p.m. at IGA. The group will meet near the front of the store to share tips and resources before shopping for items on your grocery list. For more information contact the Extension Office at 387-5404. Come see how much fun couponing and saving money can be!

kynect Help Days

For those who have completed kynect applications and turned them in at locations throughout the community, the Clinton County Health Coalition will sponsor kynect Help Days to assist in making health insurance decisions. A kynect Help Day for applicants with Last Names A-H ONLY will be held on Tuesday, November 26th 10:00 a.m.-12:00 noon or 1:00-3:00 p.m. at the Clinton County Community Center. A separate kynect Help Day for applicants Last Names I-Z ONLY will be held on Friday, December 6th 10:00 a.m.-12:00 noon or 1:00-3:00 p.m. at the Clinton County Community Center. Please be prepared and bring the following items with you to your assigned kynect Help Day: Social Security card, birth certificate, driver’s licenses, and income verification (last paystub, 2012 tax return, monthly benefit award letter, or bank statement). Goody bags, food, and door prizes available during each kynect Help Day! For more information, contact the Clinton County Extension Office at 387-5404.