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.
Preparing the perfect Thanksgiving turkey is a rite of passage for many home cooks. But when it comes to actually cooking the bird, one question always comes up – should you rinse or clean the raw turkey before roasting? Many assume washing poultry will remove bacteria and make it safer. However, food safety experts agree that you should never wash a raw turkey before cooking unless you have brined it first.
Why You Shouldn’t Wash an Unbrined Turkey
According to the USDA, washing or rinsing a raw turkey is not recommended In fact, it can actually increase your risk of food poisoning. Here’s why
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Washing cannot remove all bacteria – it’s impossible to completely wash away all contaminants. Many bacteria are naturally present both on the surface and deep within the muscle tissue.
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Washing causes cross-contamination – water splashing from the sink can spread bacteria up to 3 feet around your kitchen, Any bacteria on the raw turkey transfers to nearby surfaces
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Cooking kills bacteria – The only way to destroy bacteria within and on the turkey is through thorough cooking to 165°F as measured by a food thermometer.
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Added moisture hampers browning – Washing can make it harder to achieve crisp, golden brown turkey skin in the oven.
The safest approach is to pat the turkey dry with paper towels upon removing it from the packaging. Then, transfer directly into the roasting pan without rinsing at all.
The One Exception: Brined Turkeys
The only time you should ever wash a raw turkey is after brining it. This quick rinse helps remove excess salt from the bird before cooking.
To wash a brined turkey safely:
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Clear your sink of any other dishes, utensils or food items. Cover sink with paper towels.
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Rinse the turkey cavity and exterior with cool water, taking care to minimize splashing.
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Drain the cavity, dispose of paper towels, then thoroughly disinfect your sink.
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Wash hands with soap and warm water immediately after handling the raw bird.
Even after brining, pat the turkey dry with paper towels before roasting to achieve beautifully crisped skin.
Other Cleaning Steps to Skip
Aside from not washing the exterior, here are some other turkey cleaning tips from the experts:
✅ Do NOT wash or rinse the inner cavity. Simply remove the giblets and neck.
✅ Do NOT use soap, bleach, or any other cleaning products on your raw turkey.
✅ Do NOT thaw your turkey on the counter or in standing water, where bacteria can multiply rapidly. Use the refrigerator method.
✅ Do NOT stuff your turkey in advance, as the stuffing can become a breeding ground for bacteria if left at room temperature too long before cooking.
What to Do Instead of Washing
Keep your holiday meal safe with these smart tactics:
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Use separate cutting boards, plates, and utensils for raw turkey versus cooked foods or produce. Prevent cross-contamination.
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Wash hands for 20 seconds with warm soapy water after handling raw poultry.
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Sanitize any surfaces the raw turkey or juices contact using a disinfecting spray or bleach solution.
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Cook stuffing in a casserole dish separate from the turkey. Cook the turkey cavity empty.
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Check the turkey’s temp in multiple spots with a food thermometer to ensure doneness. Target 165°F.
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Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours. Reheat thoroughly before serving again.
Turkey Food Safety FAQs
Still have questions about prepping and cooking your Thanksgiving bird safely? Here are some commonly asked questions:
Should you wash the inside of a turkey?
No, never wash the inside cavity. Simply remove the giblets and neck, pat the turkey dry, and proceed directly to seasoning and cooking. Washing the cavity can disperse bacteria.
Can you get sick from undercooked turkey?
Yes. Turkey can harbor salmonella, campylobacter and other bacteria that cause food poisoning. Always cook turkey to 165°F as measured in the thickest part of the breast and thighs. Check with a food thermometer.
Does rinsing turkey spread bacteria everywhere?
Yes. Attempting to wash raw poultry can splash bacteria up to 3 feet around your sink and kitchen. Stick to the no-wash rule and just pat your turkey dry before roasting.
Can you roast a turkey straight from the freezer?
No. Frozen turkeys must be fully thawed before cooking for food safety. Thaw in the refrigerator allowing 24 hrs for every 4-5 lbs. A 16 lb turkey takes 4 days or more.
Is stuffing cooked inside turkey safe?
No. Stuffing cooked inside poultry often remains undercooked. Cook stuffing in a baking dish to ensure a food-safe temperature of 165°F is reached.
Following proper turkey prep and cooking guidelines from the USDA and food safety experts ensures your holiday meal stays illness-free. Avoid washing unbrined birds, monitor temperatures, and exercise caution when handling and storing this centerpiece protein.
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.
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.