Feature Articles: Food, Fitness and Holidays
Cook Turkey and Stuffing Safely
Janet Hackert, Regional Nutrition and Health Education Specialist
The day of those big feasts is fast approaching. If the feast is to include a turkey, make sure the turkey is safe to eat. The same holds for stuffing or dressing – make sure it is safe.
Cooking a large piece of meat like a turkey can take a long
time. Cook at 325 degrees Fahrenheit until the meat at its
thickest part is 165°F. The following will help to estimate
how long to plan for:
- 8-12 pounds of turkey take 2 ¾ - 3 hours to cook
- 12-14 pounds take 3 – 3 ¾ hours
- 14-18 pounds take 3 ¾ - 4 ¼ hours
- 18-20 pounds take 4 ¼ -4 ½ hours
- 20-24 pounds take 4 ½ - 5 hours to cook
When the turkey is done, remove from the oven and let it stand 20 minutes before carving.
Many people like to add stuffing or dressing to their
holiday meal. For more even cooking, it is recommended
you cook your dressing outside the bird in a casserole.
Use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature
of the dressing. The center should reach 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 and cook
the turkey immediately. Use a food thermometer to make
sure the center of the stuffing reaches 165°F.
If you find yourself with a food- safety concern about
the turkey during odd hours, help is available. Added
tips on stuffing, cooking a turkey and other common
meats can be found on the Food Safety and Inspection
Service web site, at
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/Lets_Talk_Turkey/index.asp
and
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/. Or contact the USDA Meat
and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854)
for recorded answered to frequently asked questions.
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Last update: Tuesday, May 05, 2009
