If your roasted turkey begins by thoroughly rinsing the bird, its time to take a second look. It turns out, giving your turkey a pre-oven bath can do far more harm than good. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), its impossible to remove all the bacteria from a raw turkey by rinsing it, and trying to do so can splash and spread harmful bacteria all across your kitchen! Theres only one time that you should ever rinse your bird. Read on to find out more, and the safest way to do it.
As Thanksgiving approaches, home cooks across America are preparing for the big meal. For many, this means tackling a whole turkey for the first time With so many steps involved in roasting the perfect bird, it’s easy to have questions. One of the most common is whether you should rinse or wash the raw turkey before popping it in the oven
The short answer? No. According to food safety experts at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), you should never rinse a raw turkey before cooking. In fact the only exception is if you have brined the turkey first.
Why You Shouldn’t Rinse an Unbrined Turkey
Washing raw poultry seems like a smart move. After all, rinsing something under water makes it cleaner, right? Not when it comes to meat. As counterintuitive as it sounds, running a turkey under the faucet can actually increase your risk of food poisoning.
Here’s why:
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It’s impossible to remove all bacteria by rinsing. There are naturally occurring bacteria present on raw turkey that get killed during the cooking process. Washing cannot remove it all.
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Rinsing causes cross-contamination. When juices splash during washing, bacteria spreads to sinks, counters, and other kitchen surfaces. This bacteria can then contaminate other foods.
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Cooking is what really removes bacteria. Safely cooking the turkey to an internal temperature of 165°F is what truly destroys any hazardous bacteria present on the meat.
So by rinsing, you aren’t removing much bacteria, if any, and you’re putting your kitchen at risk of contamination. For optimal safety, take the turkey straight from the packaging to the roasting pan.
The One Exception: Brined Turkeys
If you soaked your turkey in a saltwater brine before cooking, then a rinse is recommended. This removes some of the salt from the bird so your Thanksgiving dinner isn’t overly salty.
Even then, take precautions to avoid spreading bacteria:
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Clear your sink of any other dishes, utensils, food items, etc.
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Line the area with paper towels to control mess.
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Rinse the turkey under a gentle stream of cool water, both the cavity and outer areas.
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Allow water to drain from the cavity before transferring the turkey to a roasting pan.
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Discard the paper towels and thoroughly disinfect your sink.
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Wash your hands properly with soap and warm water.
Follow these steps, and you can safely rinse a brined turkey without worrying about contamination.
Skip Washing the Turkey Cavity
Many home cooks wonder if they should wash or rinse the inside cavity of a raw turkey. The answer again is no. Washing the cavity is unnecessary and risky.
Simply remove the giblets and neck. Some people may wish to rinse a brined bird’s cavity, and the same method above applies. Otherwise, no rinsing is needed inside or out.
What Really Matters for Food Safety
If rinsing doesn’t significantly remove bacteria, what does? Proper handling, cooking, and cleaning.
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Keep Raw Turkey Separate: Prevent cross-contamination by keeping raw turkey away from cooked foods, fresh produce, and utensils. Use separate cutting boards and plates.
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Cook Thoroughly: Use a food thermometer to verify the turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. This kills any dangerous bacteria present.
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Clean Up Properly: Disinfect any surfaces the raw turkey touched. Wash hands before and after handling raw poultry.
Follow these simple food safety tips, skip the risky turkey rinse, and enjoy your holiday meal without worry.
Frequently Asked Questions About Washing Turkey
Many myths persist around rinsing raw poultry. Here are answers to some common questions:
Should I rinse turkey parts or just whole turkeys?
The recommendation is the same. Do not rinse any raw turkey, including turkey breasts, drumsticks, wings, etc. Only rinse brined turkey.
What about kosher and halal turkey?
The USDA guidance applies to all raw turkey regardless of preparation method. Do not rinse kosher or halal turkey before cooking unless it was brined.
Can’t I just rinse quickly?
Even a quick rinse under water can splash bacteria around your kitchen. It’s best to skip it entirely.
If I brush the turkey skin with oil or broth, do I need to rinse?
No, liquids brushed on the turkey skin for browning and flavor do not need to be rinsed off.
Does washing turkey make it less juicy when cooked?
Washing doesn’t significantly affect juiciness. Skipping the rinse simply helps prevent foodborne illness.
Can I rinse just the giblets and neck?
The USDA doesn’t recommend rinsing the giblets or neck prior to use. Just trim and cook them thoroughly.
What about using vinegar or lemon to wash poultry?
Washing with anything, including vinegar or citrus, won’t remove bacteria and leads to cross-contamination concerns.
The Takeaway on Washing Thanksgiving Turkey
Don’t let uncertainty over whether to rinse turkey put a damper on your Thanksgiving preparations. Follow the USDA’s advice:
- Never rinse raw turkey other than brined birds.
- Always wash hands and disinfect surfaces after handling raw poultry.
- Cook turkey to 165°F and verify with a meat thermometer.
Stick to these tips for a happy, hassle-free, and safe holiday feast. Gobble, gobble!
When should you rinse a turkey?
The only time you should ever rinse your bird is if youve brined it first. This is to remove some of the salt from the turkey. Youll want to do a little prep first, though, to minimize the spread of bacteria. “When rinsing brine off of a turkey, be sure to remove all other food or objects from the sink, layer the area with paper towels, and allow a slow stream of water to avoid splashing,” according to the USDA recommendation. Be sure to rinse the outside and the inside cavity of the bird with cool water and hold the bird up to drain the water from the cavity before transferring it to a roasting pan. Then, toss the paper towels in the trashcan and thoroughly disinfect your sink and surrounding countertop. Finally wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with warm water and soap.
How do you clean a turkey before cooking it?
Well… you dont! Just like with other meat, the USDA recommends skipping washing your turkey before you cook it. It doesnt matter if youre roasting, frying, or smoking your turkey, theres no need to give it a rinse unless youve brined it (more on that below). Cooking the turkey kills any bacteria, but washing a turkey before you cook it opens the door to dangerous cross contamination. Instead, take your turkey straight from the package to the roaster. The only “cleaning” you need to worry about is removing the neck and giblets from the cavity (to save for giblet gravy, of course!) and patting the turkey dry with a paper towel to achieve crispy skin.