How to Place a Meat Thermometer in a Turkey: Ensuring Perfectly Cooked Poultry

Thanksgiving is one of the year’s most food-focused holidays and essentially the one occasion when turkeys really get to shine. We’ll assist you with one of the fundamentals of turkey cooking in this post so you can have the ideal bird this year!

Although there are many different turkey recipes available with different cooking techniques and flavors, they all have one thing in common: making sure your turkey is cooked through. And the thermal principles that we talk about here for cooking your turkey are applicable to any recipe.

Cooking a turkey can be a daunting task, especially for novice cooks. One of the most crucial aspects of achieving a perfectly cooked juicy turkey is using a meat thermometer. But where exactly should you place the thermometer to get an accurate reading? Let’s delve into the proper placement of a meat thermometer in a turkey along with some additional tips for perfectly cooked poultry.

Choosing the Right Thermometer:

Before we dive into placement, let’s discuss the types of thermometers available:

Instant-read thermometers: These provide a quick temperature reading but may not be the most accurate for thick meats like turkey.
Leave-in thermometers: These remain inserted in the turkey throughout the cooking process, providing a continuous temperature reading.

Proper Placement of the Meat Thermometer:

For Oven-safe Leave-in Thermometers:

Before cooking: Insert the probe into the thickest part of the thigh muscle, ensuring it doesn’t touch the bone.
During cooking: Monitor the temperature throughout the cooking process. Remove the turkey when the thigh temperature reaches 180°F, the breast reaches 170°F, and the stuffing (if used) reaches 165°F.

For Instant-read Thermometers:

Check the temperature: 30-60 minutes before the estimated cooking time, and then every 15 minutes thereafter.
Insertion points: Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, avoiding the bone. Additionally, check the temperature of the breast by inserting the thermometer horizontally into the thickest part.

Tips for Perfectly Cooked Turkey:

Use a reliable thermometer: Ensure your thermometer is accurate and calibrated correctly.
Follow the recipe’s instructions: Pay close attention to the recommended cooking times and temperatures.
Rest the turkey: After removing the turkey from the oven, let it rest for 15-20 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful bird.
Use a carving knife: A sharp carving knife will help you slice the turkey evenly without tearing the meat.

Additional Resources:

Butterball Turkey Talk-Line: 1-800-BUTTERBALL or text 844-877-3456 for expert advice on turkey preparation and cooking.
Butterball website: https://www.butterball.com/ for a wealth of information on turkey cooking, recipes, and tips.

Using a meat thermometer is essential for ensuring your turkey is cooked to perfection. By following the proper placement guidelines and utilizing additional tips, you can confidently achieve a juicy, flavorful turkey that will impress your family and friends. Remember, food safety is paramount, so always cook your turkey to the recommended internal temperatures. Happy cooking!

Understand the Thermal Center

The point in any food, including turkey, that is the furthest from the outside of the meat and takes the longest to cook is called the thermal center.

The largest mass on a turkey is its breast, and the thermal center will be found in the thickest part of the breast. Since it will be the coldest here and your meat will only be cooked to the safe minimum temperature when it reaches this point, this is the area where temperature monitoring during cooking is essential.

Understand Your Thermometer’s Probe

For the most accurate probe placement, you need to understand your leave-in thermometer’s probe.

The sensor only takes up the very tip of the DOT’s probe, or any other Pro-Series probe, measuring less than 1/8 of an inch [ 3 cm]) of the end of the probe. With such a tiny sensor, you can take your temperature precisely.

Do You Leave The Meat Thermometer In While Cooking?

FAQ

Can you leave a meat thermometer in the meat in the oven?

Can You Leave a Meat Thermometer in the Oven? Yes, most meat thermometers are designed to be able to resist high temperatures. It is, therefore, safe to use in the oven while your food cooks.

Can I leave the probe in meat while smoking?

Their temperature reading is almost instantaneous, and you can leave some thermometer models in during cooking, which is particularly helpful for baking (can be left inside the oven) and smoking.

Is it better to cook a turkey at 325 or 350?

It’s better to cook a turkey at 350°F after preheating the oven to 450°F. This makes the skin crispier and ensures the turkey will get cooked evenly.