Five Steps to Making This Your Best and Safest Thanksgiving Meal Ever
So — how long are you planning to thaw that turkey? (24 hours for every five pounds of weight.)
And what’s the best way to cook the stuffing? (Separately, of course.)
That’s right, Thanksgiving! It’s the biggest home-cooking event of the year!
And you want everything to be perfect. And, especially — safe! The last thing anyone wants is uninvited bacteria, party-crashers like salmonella, listeria and E. coli that could make your guests sick.
Never fear! Here are five steps from the County Department of Environmental Health to make this your best and safest Thanksgiving meal ever: Plan Ahead, Clean, Separate, Cook and Chill.
PLAN AHEAD:
- Before you start cooking, decide how much food you can safely serve. For example, figure out how much cooking and refrigerator space you have available to work with. Do you plan to defrost a frozen turkey? If so, plan ahead to make sure you have space and time to safely, slowly thaw your turkey in your refrigerator. Defrosting in the open air or in still water encourages bacterial growth. A large turkey needs at least 24 hours for every five pounds of weight to defrost in your fridge.
- Make sure your meat thermometer is ready for a busy day!
- Always buy food from a safe source, such as a market or restaurant.
CLEAN:
- Don’t let bacteria into your meal. Wash your hands before and after handling food, or at any possibility of contamination.
- Thoroughly rinse raw fruits and vegetables.
- Wash and sanitize counters, cutting boards and equipment before and after preparing your holiday feast.
SEPARATE:
- Keep produce (fruits and vegetables) separated from raw meat products.
- When you are defrosting your turkey, place it on a plate or in a pan at the bottom of your refrigerator to keep it from dripping on other foods. Once the bird is defrosted, it can remain refrigerated 1-2 days before it must be cooked.
- Use separate cutting boards for meat and fruit and vegetables and thoroughly wash them after each use.
COOK:
- Cook turkey and stuffing to 165° F. Use a meat thermometer to ensure that proper cooking temperatures are reached. You can test to make sure the entire turkey has been cooked to an internal temperature by inserting meat thermometer in the innermost part of the thigh.
- The safest way to cook stuffing is separately, outside of the turkey. Germs can thrive in the stuffing ingredients if it is improperly cooked inside the turkey.
- Gravy should be reheated to a boil and leftovers should be reheated to 165° F before eating.
CHILL:
- Keep cold foods chilled to 41° F or lower. Check the temperature inside your refrigerator with a refrigerator thermometer.
- If you are preparing food ahead of time, refrigerate it to minimize bacterial growth.
- Refrigerate all leftovers in shallow containers within two hours of cooking.
- Cut leftover turkey into small pieces or slices before refrigerating.
For more information and food safety tips for the holidays go to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) website, www.foodsafety.gov or call the Meat and Poultry hotline at 1-888-674-6854.