What Temperature is Turkey Done
Americans love their turkey. It’s estimated each person eats about 16 pounds of this meat annually. Turkey has a special place in homes during special occasions and holidays. Putting a beautifully browned bird on center stage makes for fantastic eye appeal.
Tips, Timing, & Temperature
Honestly, the best way to ensure your turkey is fully cooked is by using a meat thermometer. They’re not expensive and have other uses in your kitchen including checking if your fresh loaf of bread is done.
Some thermometers go straight into the oven. Make sure to place it inside the thigh muscle, but don’t touch the bone. Instant read thermometers are similar, but you can check it in various spots just to be sure.
Good timing creates a great roast turkey. If it’s frozen give yourself enough time to thaw it (yes, there have been folks who accidentally baked a semi-frozen bird!). For thawing, you need 30 minutes per pound.
Set your oven to 325F. You can estimate 15 minutes per pound before the bird is thoroughly cooked. You can turn the stove up a little more to 350F, needing only 13 minutes per pound. Can you go higher? Yes, but the turkey suffers. It likes a slow cook.
What Temperature Is Turkey Done?
USDA guidelines say that your turkey is done (for safety) when the internal temperature of the breast is 165F. For the thigh, it’s 175F.
When you’ve stuffed the bird. The stuffing should reach 165F
Want it Crisp?
What is the trick to creating the coveted crispy turkey skin? Pat it dry all over before you season it. We’ve just a great new spice perfect for the task. It’s Cowboy Butter! Butter flakes combine with garlic and other spices to add some pizzaz. You can also put butter under the skin to keep the meat moist. Here are some recipes you might like:
Maple Bourbon Butter Injected Turkey
Gravy and Cranberry Infused Turkey
Remember to make sure the turkey is done, reading 165F.
PitMaster’s Memo: Turkey’s Trivia
Did you know that the infamous turkey gobble is a mating call, which is why you hear it the most in spring and fall? Surprise may also startle a gobble out of them.
Speaking of mating, the loose skin attached just under a turkey’s beak is charmingly called a wattle. If the maile gets excited, his wattle turns an impassioned red. You may also see flashes of red on a turkey’s snood, the skin that hangs over the bird’s beak.
If you’re feeling really hungry, male turkeys can grow to 50 pounds. Meanwhile, the newly hatched baby bird is less than 2 oz. These are called turkletts (cute, right?)
Sides
Classic sweet potato casserole
Hasselback potatoes
Pecan, kale, parmesan salad
Roasted multi-color carrots
Wild rice pilaf
Desserts
Applesauce doughnuts
Cranberry cheesecake
Skillet brownies
Spiced roasted apples
Sweet potato cupcakes with ginger frosting
From the Bar
Apricot Brandy
Farmhouse ale
Ginger spice tea
Rum eggnog
Sangria
