Where Do You Stuff a Turkey? A Guide to Properly Stuffed Holiday Birds

Here’s an important Thanksgiving food safety tip that will surprise many: USDA doesn’t recommend stuffing a whole turkey. The practice increases the risk of cross-contamination and takes the turkey longer to cook. Cook stuffing separately instead.

For more Thanksgiving tips, check out our fact sheet. Read our latest USDA study on safe food handling.

For more information, contact the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) to talk to a food safety specialist or chat live at ask.usda.gov from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. On Thanksgiving Day, the Hotline will be open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Eastern Time.

Stuffing a turkey is a time-honored tradition for many families during the holidays. A beautifully roasted bird filled with savory stuffing is the centerpiece of many Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts. However, questions may arise for novice cooks attempting this delicious dish for the first time. Where exactly do you stuff a turkey? How much stuffing should you use? What’s the best technique for safe and proper stuffing? Follow this handy guide to get all your turkey stuffing questions answered!

Turkey Stuffing Cavities

Turkeys have two main cavities suitable for stuffing: the neck cavity and the body cavity. The neck cavity is located at the top of the turkey, where the neck was removed during processing. This small space can hold approximately 1 cup of stuffing. The much larger body cavity is accessed by carefully loosening the skin around the cavity and gently easing the cavity open to expose the inside. This area can hold up to 2 cups of stuffing per pound of turkey. Both cavities need to be stuffed for the optimal stuffed turkey experience.

How Much Stuffing to Use

Experts recommend using 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 cup of stuffing per pound of turkey The exact amount can vary based on the size of your turkey, the capacity of the cavities, and personal preference regarding how much stuffing you want A good rule of thumb is to have about 10-15% stuffing by weight in relation to the turkey’s total weight.

So for a 16-pound turkey, you would need around 8 to 12 cups of prepared stuffing. It’s easy to adjust these amounts depending on whether you like more or less stuffing. Too little may disappoint stuffing lovers, while overstuffing runs the risk of uneven cooking.

Preparing Stuffing for a Turkey

It’s best to prepare the stuffing just before roasting the turkey. Make sure the stuffing has cooled slightly after cooking it, but is still warm when stuffed into the raw turkey. Hotter stuffing helps ensure the stuffing reaches the minimum safe internal temperature of 165°F before the turkey is cooked. Cold or room temperature stuffing takes longer to heat, which could result in an undercooked center.

Also, resist the urge to stuff the turkey the night before and refrigerate it. This runs the risk of bacterial growth in the warm, moist environment of the stuffed turkey. Right before roasting is the safest timeline.

Stuffing Technique

When ready to stuff, gently pack the neck cavity first, leaving enough room to pull the skin over to enclose it. Next, lightly stuff the body cavity about 2/3 full, allowing room for the stuffing to expand as it cooks. Avoid tightly packing the stuffing, which can hinder proper cooking.

Finish by trussing the legs together and securing any openings with skewers. Brush with melted butter or oil before placing breast-side up on a rack in a roasting pan. Cook according to your selected turkey recipe, and use a meat thermometer to ensure the center of the stuffing reaches 165°F.

Safety First

Always practice safe stuffing by ensuring raw meat and seafood ingredients like sausage and oysters are fully cooked before adding to the stuffing. Cook the stuffed turkey right away rather than leaving it overnight. And verify the internal temperature of the stuffing before enjoying your perfectly stuffed, golden turkey.

When prepared properly, stuffing cooked inside a turkey infuses the bread with delicious roasted turkey flavors. Follow these handy tips for where to stuff your bird and how much stuffing to use. With a little practice, you’ll be on your way to serving up the ultimate stuffed turkey this holiday season. Let your nose guide you to the heady aromas of herbed stuffing mingling with roasted turkey—a sure sign your bird is ready for an unforgettable feast!

where do you stuff a turkey

How to Stuff a Turkey – Martha Stewart

FAQ

Where to put stuffing in turkey?

Season the turkey cavity at both ends. Stuff some of the stuffing into the main cavity, but be careful not to pack it in – there must be enough space between the stuffing and breastbone to fit the handle of a wooden spoon. Stuff the smaller cavity at the neck end, again leaving a little space.

Where do turkeys get stuffed?

Step 2: Stuff the Bird Loosely Cook stuffing and immediately place it in your turkey’s neck and body cavity. Stuff loosely — about 3/4 cup per pound of turkey. Don’t stuff turkeys that will be grilled, smoked, fried or microwaved.

Should stuffing be inside or outside the turkey?

For this reason, many experts recommend baking the stuffing outside the bird, where it can easily be cooked to 165°F and is less likely to harbor bacteria.