Thanksgiving has a reputation for endless brining methods, divisive side dishes, and argumentative relatives. It’s no wonder hosting can be stressful. Unless you’ve got The Right Stuffing, that is. This series is devoted to all things related to the Thanksgiving meal, and it will help you create dishes that appear on your table year after year—even if it can’t help you manage your relatives.
Knowing when the turkey is “done” is the most anxiety-inducing part of cooking a turkey. You don’t want to food poison anyone, but you don’t want to serve dry, stringy meat (and shame) to you friends and family. A thermometer is imperative, but the little plastic “turkey timer” that comes stuck in your bird should be tossed directly into the trash.
Turkey poppers are a fun and delicious appetizer that are perfect for any occasion. These little bites consist of a mixture of ground turkey stuffing and seasoning that is then wrapped in bacon and secured with a toothpick. When cooked, the bacon around the popper crisps up into a lovely package while the inside cooks through. But one question home cooks often have is, at what temperature do turkey poppers pop? Let’s take a closer look.
How Turkey Poppers Work
Turkey poppers get their name from the unique way they are cooked, Small metal skewers called popper sticks are inserted into the uncooked poppers, The sticks have a spring wrapped around them and a piece of metal on the end that sits inside the raw turkey mixture
As the poppers cook in the oven, the metal tip warms up until it reaches around 180°F. At this point, the metal melts, releasing the spring loaded stick and causing it to pop up out of the turkey! This signals that the inside of the popper has reached a safe internal temperature.
Why Turkey Poppers Pop
The popping action that gives turkey poppers their name serves an important purpose – it indicates when the inside of the poppers have finished cooking.
Poultry needs to reach an internal temperature of 165°F as measured by a food thermometer in order to be considered safe to eat. If undercooked, bacteria could still remain in the meat, posing a food safety risk.
The popper sticks are designed to react when the interior temperature hits around 180°F, ensuring the turkey mixture is thoroughly cooked through once the stick pops up. This unique feature takes the guesswork out of cooking and lets you know for sure when your turkey poppers are ready to eat.
What is the Ideal Internal Temp for Turkey Poppers?
While the popper sticks are calibrated to pop up at 180°F, you still want to verify the interior temperature of the turkey filling reaches the FDA recommended 165°F. This ensures any harmful bacteria is eliminated.
Using an instant read thermometer, check the temperature of one or two turkey poppers once the popper sticks have popped up. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the popper, avoiding touching any bones. If the temperature reads below 165°F, return the pan to the oven for additional cooking time until the proper temperature is reached.
Cooking to the right internal temperature is key for food safety when working with ground turkey or other ground meats. Undercooked turkey can contain dangerous pathogens that cause food poisoning. Reaching 165°F eliminates the risk of bacterial growth.
Cooking Times for Turkey Poppers
Cooking times for turkey poppers can vary based on the size of the poppers and your oven, but here are some general guidelines:
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In a 375°F oven, turkey poppers take around 15-20 minutes to reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
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If cooking poppers from a fully frozen state, add 5-10 additional minutes to the cook time.
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Grill cooked turkey poppers may take 10-15 minutes to fully cook through.
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Double check the internal temp of a few poppers once the sticks have popped up to confirm doneness.
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For extra large poppers over 2 inches wide, increase cook times by 5 minutes.
Test sizes and cooking methods to determine the ideal times for your specific oven and popper recipe. And invest in an instant read thermometer for the most foolproof results.
Tips for Cooking Turkey Poppers
Follow these tips for perfectly cooked turkey poppers every time:
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Use freshly made poppers within 1-2 days for best results. Freezing for longer storage can cause the bacon to detach when cooking.
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Arrange poppers on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment so they aren’t crowded together. This promotes even cooking.
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Bake in the center of the oven so air can properly circulate around the pan.
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Flip over halfway during cooking to brown both sides.
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Brush with a bit of maple syrup or brown sugar for candied bacon if desired.
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If grilling, place over indirect heat and flip frequently to prevent burning.
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Double check the internal temperature using an instant read thermometer before serving.
Can Uncooked Turkey Poppers be Frozen?
Yes, uncooked turkey poppers store well in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. To freeze, place assembled but uncooked poppers in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet. Freeze until solid, then transfer to an airtight freezer bag or container.
To cook frozen turkey poppers, do not thaw. Arrange frozen poppers on a baking sheet and add a few extra minutes to the cook time, as mentioned above. The popper sticks will still pop up when the interior reaches the proper temperature.
Freezing uncooked turkey poppers is very convenient for making big batches in advance for holidays, parties, or meal prepping. Just be sure to pull them from the freezer to the oven for easy appetizers anytime!
Fun Ideas and Recipe Variations
While traditional turkey poppers stuffed with stuffing and seasoning are always delicious, you can get creative with different fillings and ingredients too. Here are some fun recipe ideas to try:
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Feta, spinach, and sun-dried tomato turkey poppers
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BBQ pulled turkey poppers with cheddar cheese
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Jalapeño popper inspired turkey poppers with cream cheese
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Italian herb turkey poppers with mozzarella
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Apple, cranberry, pecan turkey poppers for Thanksgiving
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Inside out turkey poppers – turkey wrapped around stuffing cube
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Breakfast turkey poppers – turkey, egg, cheese, bacon
You can also swap out turkey for other ground meats like pork, chicken, or sausage. Just be sure to cook to the recommended internal temperature for safety.
Serving Suggestions
Turkey poppers make for the ideal finger food appetizer at parties and game day get togethers. Serve them straight from the oven with various dipping sauces like barbecue, ranch, honey mustard or hot sauce.
They also pair well with fresh veggie crudites, fruit trays, slaws, chips and dips. For a meal, enjoy turkey poppers alongside roasted veggies, mashed potatoes or in sandwiches.
However you choose to serve them up, turkey poppers are always sure to be a hit! Just remember to cook them until the popper sticks pop and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. This ensures your tasty turkey bites are cooked through, safe to eat and delicious. With this guide, you’ll be a pro at making these fun appetizers in no time!
That pop-up Turkey thermometer is utter trash
If you’ve been cooking turkeys for a while, you probably already know this, but first-time bird roasters might be tempted to lean on the built-in temperature indicator. The problem is that it sucks. It’s garbage. It’s not your friend.
It is, however, a nifty little piece of technology; it’s just calibrated wrong. According to Cook’s Illustrated, it’s not that it doesn’t work, it just works at far too high of a temperature:
As we’ve covered previously, a turkey is a thermodynamic nightmare. It’s bulky and unwieldy, and the dark and light meat should (ideally) be cooked to two different temperatures. I cook the breast to 155℉ (it will rise another five degrees while resting) and the legs to 175-180℉ (or as hot as I can get them without the white meat over cooking). It does not, therefore, make sense to set a timer that pops up at 178℉ into the breast of the beast. Your turkey will be safe, but incredibly unpleasant to eat.
Placement of the Pop Up® Timer
FAQ
Is turkey done at 165 or 180?
Are turkey poppers accurate?
What temperature does a Turkey pop up?
The soft metal in the tip is solid at room temperature but warms as the turkey cooks and eventually melts at around 165 degrees F (73 degrees C). The red stick is released from the now liquid metal, and the spring makes it pop up. Are Pop-up Timers Accurate?
What temperature should a Turkey pop up timer be?
However, most timers are designed to pop up at a temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the safe internal temperature for cooked turkey. Turkey cooking pop up timers are a safe and reliable way to cook your turkey. They are easy to use and help to ensure that your turkey is cooked to perfection.
What temperature should a pop up timer pop up?
The temperature at which the pop up timer pops up varies depending on the brand of the timer. However, most timers are designed to pop up at a temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the safe internal temperature for cooked turkey. Turkey cooking pop up timers are a safe and reliable way to cook your turkey.
Do Turkey thermometers pop?
No, pop-up timers aren’t known for their reliability. They occasionally may pop before the bird has reached a temperature of 165 degrees F, resulting in an undercooked bird that can make your guests sick. A regular meat thermometer can help you to check the doneness of your turkey. What Happens If the Turkey Thermometer Doesn’t Pop?