Seasonal Food Safety: Top Ten Turkey Resources from FSIS

2012 TIPS OF THE DAY

Reheating your Thanksgiving leftovers? Reheat safely to 165 °F. You will have until Monday to use them.
Using the old family recipe for a perfect turkey? It's not safe to cook a turkey in a conventional oven below 325°F.
Cooking a turkey ahead of time? After a turkey is cooked, don't put the whole turkey in the refrigerator to cool; break the turkey down into smaller portions to cool quickly and safely.
Planning on stuffing your turkey? If the answer is yes, the turkey and the stuffing need to reach 165 °F to be safe.
Running out of time? Trying to save time by preparing and stuffing a turkey the night before? Not a good idea, it's dangerous!
Safest way to thaw your turkey is in the refrigerator. It takes about 24 hours for every 5 pounds. Make sure your refrigerator is at 40 °F or below.
Don't let the sell-by-date ruin your Thanksgiving. The sell-by-date tells the store how long to display the turkey for sale, not how long it will last in your refrigerator.
Are you brining or frying your turkey for the first time? Ask us how to do it safely! Call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-674-6854.
Wondering when you should buy your fresh turkey? Wait til the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Use the turkey within two days.
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TOP TURKEY RESOURCES

Recommended Internal Temperatures

Turkey Basics

Brochure

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Pictures & Videos

Thanksgiving Recipes

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Roast turkey

Last Modified: November 27, 2012


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