It’s nearly Thanksgiving Day, the most food-celebrated holiday across the nation. And often the star of that meal is a turkey.
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Thanksgiving is fast approaching, and with this holiday comes a lot of delicious food.
If you plan to prepare stuffing using raw meat, poultry, or shellfish, you should cook these ingredients before stuffing the turkey to reduce the risk of foodborne illness from bacteria that may be found in raw ingredients.
· Take temperatures – Cook turkey at 325 degrees Fahrenheit until the internal temperature reaches at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Is it safe to eat turkey when it is pink on the inside?
There is a reason that so many of us don’t do our own taxes. According to the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), many color changes in turkey meat is normal and doesn’t indicate that the food has spoiled.
Burstein says the minimum safe internal temperature for a turkey is 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Use refrigerated turkey and stuffing within three to four days.
Do not stuff turkeys to be grilled, smoked, fried, or microwaved.
So why pink? Pinkness occurs “when gases in the atmosphere of a heated gas or electric oven react chemically with hemoglobin in the meat tissues to give poultry a pink tinge”. They are just as perishable as fresh meat and fresh fish. So it goes with Thanksgiving turkey. Stuff the turkey loosely – about 3/4 cup of stuffing per pound. If you’re looking for a unique, fun and creative way to cook a turkey that will withstand the cataclysm to come, check out the Good Mythical Morning video below. In most meats, salmonella can occur if mistreated or undercooked.
– When cooking, always use a thermometer to check the doneness of the turkey instead of using a timer or the visual appearance. You can prepare some foods ahead of time. Nest serving dishes in bowls of ice and store moist desserts, such as pumpkin pie and cakes with whipped frosting, in the refrigerator until serving. Also, put the thermometer in the deepest, thickest part of the turkey.
When turkey is removed from the oven let stand 20 minutes. Do not stuff whole poultry with cooked stuffing. You may find more information regarding cooking a turkey safely here. Allow enough time to cook.
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Families and friends gather during the holidays to share stories, laughter and, of course, food.
