• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Expert warns you must never rinse your turkey before roasting it

Home> News> Food & Drink

Published 15:53 22 Nov 2023 GMT

Expert warns you must never rinse your turkey before roasting it

If you were thinking of washing your turkey - don't.

Niamh Shackleton

Niamh Shackleton

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, it can only mean one thing... turkey.

Homes across the States will be preheating their ovens in preparation for the meal that people wait all year for.

But, as well as pre-heating your oven, many may ask if you should be washing your turkey before cooking it.

Some people may feel that giving the large bird a quick rinse in the sink before roasting it is a good idea - but it could actually be doing more harm than good.

Advert

In fact, it's said it's 'impossible' to wash bacteria off turkey.

In the process of rinsing your turkey, you risk splashing pathogens, such as salmonella, onto other kitchen surfaces, as well as the sink itself.

This then increases the risk of you and your guests becoming ill; and no one wants to be sick over the festive season.

While the germs are killed off in the cooking process, the kitchen surfaces risk being left contaminated (unless you plan on putting those in the oven too).

Advert

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states: "Washing raw turkey can spread germs to other food."

People have been urged not to wash their turkeys.
Thomas Barwick/Getty

It adds: "Federal agencies have recommended not washing turkey or chicken since 2005."

So the answer, quite plainly, is no.

Advert

What should you do instead, I hear you ask?

Good Housekeeping's senior food editor Cathy Lo suggests that you 'pat raw poultry dry with paper towels instead'.

"Also make sure you wash cutting boards, surfaces, and hands to avoid any other cross-contamination," she went on.

In regards to how hot you your turkey should be once it's done to ensure that it's properly cooked, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) says it should have a minimum internal temperature of 165°F throughout.

Advert

And if it's at this temperature but still a bit pink, then fear not.

The USDA writes on its website: "Turkey can remain pink even after cooking to a safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F. The meat of smoked turkey is always pink."

The cooked meat should be at a temperature 165°F throughout.
Diana Miller/Getty

The USDA is full of useful advice ahead of Thanksgiving and, if you're still yet to buy your turkey before tomorrow's festivities, you should know that it's advised that you give around 1 pound of turkey per person.

Advert

Also, if you think you've been a bit too last minute purchasing your fresh turkey today, then you'd be wrong.

The USDA actually advises that you only buy your bird a day or two before you plan on cooking it.

Happy cooking!

Featured Image Credit: Erica Marcus/Newsday RM via Getty Images / Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images

Topics: Food and Drink, News, Christmas, US News, Health

Niamh Shackleton
Niamh Shackleton

Niamh Shackleton is an experienced journalist for UNILAD, specialising in topics including mental health and showbiz, as well as anything Henry Cavill and cat related. She has previously worked for OK! Magazine, Caters and Kennedy.

X

@niamhshackleton

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

15 mins ago
an hour ago
2 hours ago
  • 15 mins ago

    Entire band mysteriously vanishes after posting chilling video on Instagram

    Members of the Los Juniors de Monterrey band vanished in Mexico without a trace after playing a Father's Day concert

    News
  • an hour ago

    Donald Trump launches scathing attack after new poll showed what US really thinks of him 5 months into presidency

    Donald Trump has taken to Truth Social to dub the latest opinion poll as 'fake'

    News
  • an hour ago

    Lottery winner who won $65,000,000 has made one crucial mistake that could cost them entire fortune

    The winner numbers were pulled last week and the jackpot is yet to be claimed

    News
  • 2 hours ago

    Donald Trump's 'doomsday plane' explained as it makes 'highly unusual' flight amid terrifying warning

    The aircraft is used by the Air Force and has a lofty role to play in the event of a nuclear catastrophe

    News
  • Expert warns against washing your turkey this Thanksgiving for disturbing reason
  • Doctor warns one habit people should quit doing before breakfast if they want to lose weight
  • Doctor explains why you should 'never' wash your chicken before cooking it
  • Shocking simulation shows exactly what happens to your body if you stopped eating sugar for 15 days