Overcooked turkey is a common Thanksgiving pitfall, but undercooked turkey may be an even bigger horror show. Luckily, you can fix it fairly quickly.
Ah, Thanksgiving. A time for family, friends, and, of course, a delicious turkey feast. But what happens when your culinary masterpiece comes out of the oven a little. undercooked? Don’t despair! With a bit of quick thinking and some culinary know-how, you can still salvage your Thanksgiving turkey and enjoy a delicious, safe meal.
First Things First: Assess the Damage
Before you jump to conclusions, take a moment to assess the situation How undercooked is the turkey? Is it just a bit pink in the center, or is it seriously raw? This will help you determine the best course of action
If the turkey is only slightly undercooked:
- Reheat it in the oven. Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Place the turkey on a rack in a roasting pan and add a cup of water to the bottom of the pan. Cover the turkey loosely with foil and roast for 30-45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh.
- Slice it thinly and pan-fry it. This is a good option if the turkey is just a bit dry on the outside but still undercooked in the center. Slice the turkey thinly and pan-fry it in a little butter or olive oil until it is cooked through.
If the turkey is seriously undercooked:
- Don’t risk it. Unfortunately, if the turkey is seriously undercooked, it’s best to throw it out. Eating undercooked poultry can lead to food poisoning, which is definitely not something you want to deal with on Thanksgiving.
What about the fully cooked parts?
If some parts of the turkey are fully cooked while others are undercooked, you can safely eat the fully cooked parts. Just be sure to remove them from the carcass and store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve them.
Can you make broth with the undercooked carcass?
It’s not recommended to make broth with the undercooked carcass. The bacteria that can cause food poisoning can survive in the bones, even after they have been cooked. So, it’s best to err on the side of caution and discard the carcass.
Tips for Preventing Undercooked Turkey:
- Use a meat thermometer. This is the best way to ensure that your turkey is cooked to a safe temperature. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, avoiding the bone. The turkey is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Let the turkey rest. After you take the turkey out of the oven, let it rest for at least 15 minutes before carving. This will allow the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful bird.
- Don’t overcook the turkey. Overcooking will dry out the turkey and make it tough.
While an undercooked turkey can be a bit of a disappointment, it doesn’t have to ruin your Thanksgiving. By following these tips, you can still salvage the meal and enjoy a delicious and safe feast. And remember, even if the turkey doesn’t turn out perfectly, there’s always plenty of other delicious food to enjoy on Thanksgiving. So relax, take a deep breath, and enjoy the holiday!
What’s the right internal temperature for turkey?
The U. S. The Department of Agriculture, who also happened to be pretty knowledgeable about turkeys, advises cooking poultry until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
This implies that the pathogens that are waiting to cause havoc with your digestive system won’t be able to survive the cooking process. Sad for bacteria, great for you and the people around your Thanksgiving table.
Check that the temperature has reached 165ºF (74°C) in different parts of the bird, including:
- the thickest section of breast
- the thigh portion nearest to the bird’s center
- the part of the wing closest to the center
- the center of any stuffing you’ve used
How to salvage an undercooked Thanksgiving turkey: In short
Don’t panic! The perfect bird isn’t out of your reach just yet.
- Remove the legs and breasts while preserving as much of them as you can.
- Arrange them on a baking sheet and bake them at approximately 375ºF (190°C) in a preheated oven.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your turkey chunks every 15 minutes until they reach 165°F (74°C).
- Slice up the turkey, and platter it.
The key is not to put the entire bird back in the oven. But that’s not all there is to it. If you don’t succeed the first time, we go over the specifics of turkey safety.
Don’t put your Thanksgiving turkey back in the oven if you carve it and find that the meat is still raw because it could take a long time to cook. Your guests will rebel, or at the very least drink all the wine before dinner is ready, and the sides will get extremely cold.
Instead, keep carving:
- Slice off the legs and the whole breasts.
- Arrange them on a baking sheet and place it in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C).
- Once the turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the juices run clear, check it every 15 minutes.
- Once the meat is sliced, arrange it on a platter, and serve it to your appreciative guests.
You may have been slightly preoccupied with the Macy’s Day Parade, but your turkey still seems a little too alive. What’s the worst that could happen?.
Well, food poisoning, for a start. In 2019. the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sourced a Salmonella outbreak back to raw turkey products. And not only this, but some of these Salmonella strains were also resistant to antibiotics.
Undercooking turkey leaves the door wide open for Salmonella and other pathogens like Campylobacter and Clostridium perfringens. This can lead to the following food poisoning symptoms in you and your guests:
- stomach upset and cramps
- nausea
- vomiting
- runny poops
- a fever
Therefore, you should avoid undercooking that bad boy at all costs unless you want yours to become legendary among the family as the Thanksgiving when everyone passed out and pooped their pants.
Can I Recook undercooked turkey the next day after?
FAQ
Can you partially cook a turkey and then finish cooking it the next day?
What to do if turkey gets done too soon?
How do you fix a fully cooked turkey?