According to the USDA’s own data, as long as your turkey spends at least 3.7 minutes at or above,150°F (66°C), it is safe to eat.
Pasteurization Time for Poultry With 5% Fat Content (7-log10 lethality)
| Temperature | Time |
|---|---|
| 140°F (60°C) | 29 minutes |
| 145°F (63°C) | 10.8 minutes |
| 150°F (66°C) | 3.7 minutes |
Can I pull turkey at 145?
The range of doneness for all proteins–from eggs to fish to meat and Thanksgiving turkey–begins at 125 degrees, where rare starts; at 145 degrees the medium range begins, and at 165 degrees well-done starts; 185 degrees is the very top of the range.
Can I pull turkey at 150?
Technically, it’s fine to remove turkey breast from the heat when it reaches 150 degrees. At this temperature, salmonella will be destroyed within 4 minutes, so if it remains above 150 for that long, the meat will be safe to eat.
What is the lowest safe temperature to cook a turkey?
325 degrees Fahrenheit
Make it safe – The United States Department of Agriculture ( USDA ) recommends temperatures no lower than 325 degrees Fahrenheit for cooking meat and poultry. Cook turkey to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Is a little pink in turkey OK?
Turkey can remain pink even after cooking to a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F. The meat of smoked turkey is always pink.
What temp kills salmonella in turkey?
165 F
Heating foods thoroughly to 165 F can kill salmonella bacteria.
Does turkey really need to be 165?
The USDA chose 165°F for turkey because, held at that temperature, salmonella is killed in less than ten seconds.
Is turkey safe at 155?
Cook your turkey until your thermometer reads 155 -160 degrees. (Yes, we know that new safe cooking guidelines say to cook your bird to 165 degrees (they used to say 180!), but remember that your turkey will continue to cook after removed from the oven and it’s temperature will increase by 10 degrees while resting.
How do I know if my turkey is undercooked?
If your guests doubt you, fear not. Instead, gently remind them that undercooked turkey is squishy and soft with a pallid hue while properly cooked turkey is firm, albeit with the chance of a slightly pinkish tinge at the joints.
Can I eat turkey at 160?
The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service recommends that your turkey reach an internal temperature of at least 165°F during cooking to be safely consumed based on the fact that bacteria threat, salmonella, cannot withstand temperatures of 160°F after 30 seconds.
How long can a turkey stay under 140 degrees?
When a turkey stays out at room temperature for more than 2 hours, its temperature becomes unsafe even if the center is still frozen. Germs can grow rapidly in the “danger zone” between 40°F and 140°F.
At what temp is a turkey done?
You’ll need a meat thermometer to make sure you cook your turkey to the right temperature. Insert it close to, but not touching, the thigh bone. If it reads 180 degrees F in the thigh and 170 degrees F in the breast, it’s done and ready to serve.
How do you keep a turkey warm for 4 hours?
A kitchen towel placed over the foil helps keep the meat warm and moist until it’s time to be carved and served. For another option, cover the bird with foil and return it to a low-temperature, 200F oven. Place a pan of water under the turkey to create steam, which contributes to moistness.
Why is my turkey still pink after cooking?
You smoked or grilled your turkey.
So, what causes this? Myoglobin, a protein found in muscle, is the source of the pink color. Heat usually denatures the myoglobin, turning it brown, but with the lower, slower heat of smoking, the pink color often remains.
How do you tell if a turkey is done without a thermometer?
To find out if your turkey is done without a thermometer, pierce it with a fork in the mid-thigh muscle, explains Nicole Johnson, the co-director of the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line. “When the juices run clear, and no longer reddish or pink in color, it’s a good indication that your turkey is done.”
How do you finish an undercooked turkey?
Recooking an Undercooked Turkey
- We recommend slicing or carving the turkey. This is the quickest way to recook the turkey and get it finished before everything else is ridiculously cold.
- Place pieces on a baking sheet and bake at 375 degrees, checking the meat every 15 minutes until it’s done.
- Finish slicing and serve!
Does cooking turkey get rid of Salmonella?
“The short answer is yes, cooking will kill salmonella, but it has to be the right type of cooking,” says Trevor Craig, corporate director of technical consulting for Microbac Laboratories.
Do all turkeys have Salmonella?
Salmonella is common on turkey farms, but it doesn’t need to ruin Thanksgiving. Don’t let salmonella be an uninvited guest at your Thanksgiving dinner. Here’s what you can do to avoid illness. As you plan Thanksgiving gatherings with family and friends, you should also prepare for one common uninvited guest: salmonella
Do you cover turkey while resting?
A large bird can wait up to 40 minutes or longer, depending on the temperature of the room. Cover it with foil, but loosely; you don’t want to seal in the moisture, which will cause the skin to steam and lose whatever level of crispness you’ve achieved.
Where do you stick thermometer in turkey?
Here are few tips to keep in mind:
- When preparing a whole turkey, insert the thermometer into the thickest portion of the turkey breast, the innermost portion of thigh and the innermost portion of the wing.
- Make sure the thermometer does not touch bone, gristle or the pan.
Can I pull smoked turkey at 155?
If you’ve been removing your turkey at a higher temperature and lamenting its dryness year after year, consider making a change. For turkey that’s 165 degrees, you’ll want to remove the bird from the oven when the temperature reaches 155 to 160 degrees because it will continue to cook outside the oven.
Marilyn Medina is a food expert with over 15 years of experience in the culinary industry. She has worked in some of the most prestigious kitchens in the world, including The Ritz-Carlton and The French Laundry.
What makes Marilyn stand out from other chefs is her unique approach to cooking. She believes that food should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their budget or dietary restrictions. Her recipes are simple, delicious, and healthy – perfect for anyone who wants to cook like a pro!