TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) – Whether cooking for two guests or 20, preparing a Thanksgiving meal is often stressful. Thus, CBS11 found some time-saving tips to make your holiday feast as easy to put together as it is to enjoy.
The first holiday hack comes from deep in the piney woods of East Texas. In the city of Marshall, on a quiet two-lane highway, is the Bear Creek Smokehouse, which has remained in the Shoults Family for almost 80 years.
Its not at all surprising that third generation owner, Robbie Shoults, knows a thing or two about turkey and how to prepare it… but whats definitely surprising is how he does it.
“So many people, we tell them that and they look at us like you have lost your mind,” said Shoults. “And really, who could blame them? I mean, who ever heard of cooking turkey… in the dishwasher? A lot of times youre short on oven or stove top space. So, we thought, hmm, what can we do, you know, maybe a little hack to show people other ways to heat it? We came up with our fully cooked smoked turkey and put it in the dishwasher and put it on the bottom rack. Leave it in the wrapper and just run it on a regular cycle. And, you know, the hot water and the steam and everything. It just comes out beautiful.”
Now, the key words here are fully cooked. Whether its a turkey or a ham, it already has to be fully cooked and in its original vacuum-sealed wrapper.
“One recommendation I would have,” said Shoults, “is whether its a smoked turkey or smoked ham or whatever, is set it on the kitchen counter the night before. So, its already got the refrigerator chill taken off of it. And then that that morning you would just take it and place it in the dishwasher. And its going to heat it all the way through. If its a big ham, you might want to run it on two cycles. One thing about it with the dishwasher, you cant overcook it.”
And perhaps the best part? Theres no messy roasting pan to scour, clean-up is minimal. But what about the sides?
From cranberry salsa with fresh cilantro and jalapeno — to roasted sweet potatoes with chili powder and cayenne pepper.
“It doesnt have, like, all the butter and the marshmallows and all the ooey gooey stuff in there. Its a its a just a great, healthy alternative to it. And they are fantastic,” said Shoults.
The bacon and brown sugar green beans, which as Shoults joked “is like having sides, protein and desert all in one dish,” are easy to make.
But perhaps the most important tip is simply to remember what Thanksgiving is all about… and to make the most of the time spent together.
“You know, nowadays weve got so many electronics things and sometimes its so easy for parents and kids to become disconnected. And I think its so great when you can come in and get your kids involved in the kitchen (and they love activities) and actually youre going to be making memories that are going to last a lifetime.”
2. In a medium bowl, stir together cranberry mixture, green onions, jalapeno, cilantro and lime juice.
4. Serve over cream cheese with assorted crackers, or use as a side for turkey dinner.
As Thanksgiving approaches people start thinking about how to prepare the perfect turkey. Some suggest unconventional cooking methods like using a dishwasher. But is cooking a turkey in the dishwasher safe and effective? Let’s take a look.
The Concept of Dishwasher Turkey
The idea of using a dishwasher to cook a turkey first surfaced in the 1970s The concept involves placing the raw turkey directly on the bottom rack of the dishwasher, setting it to the longest and hottest cycle, and letting the machine do all the work.
The confined space and steam generated are supposed to cook the turkey evenly The dishwasher theory gained traction in recent years after celebrity chef David Burke claimed he tried it with delicious results
Benefits of Dishwasher Turkey
Proponents of dishwasher turkey cite several benefits:
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Moist and tender meat: The steamy environment is said to keep the turkey very moist and tender.
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Hands-off: Once placed inside, the dishwasher does all the work so you don’t have to monitor it.
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Even cooking: The turkey is surrounded by heat on all sides, promoting even cooking.
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Self-basting: The turkey bastes itself in its own juices as it cooks in the enclosed dishwasher.
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Juicy interior: Fans claim the inside stays juicier than oven cooking.
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Free oven space: You don’t tie up precious oven space for hours.
Drawbacks and Safety Concerns
However, there are also numerous downsides and precautions to consider:
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Not NSF certified: Dishwashers are not certified for cooking, only sanitizing at much lower temperatures.
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Food safety: Cooking at improper temperatures can result in dangerous bacterial growth.
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Chemical residue: Dishwasher detergent residue could get on the turkey.
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Improper rack: Turkey may not fit securely on dishwasher racks.
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Long time: A full dishwasher cycle can take 2-4 hours to finish cooking.
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Uneven cooking: Areas may be undercooked while others are overdone.
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Fire hazard: Hot pan touching dishwasher interior can cause melting or fire.
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Ruined dishwasher: Turkey juices can get trapped and create a mess.
Expert Warnings Against Dishwasher Turkey
Food safety experts including the USDA warn against using dishwashers to cook turkeys or other foods. The reasons include:
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No temperature regulation: Dishwashers don’t have accurate temperature monitors like ovens.
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Improper sanitization: Dishwashers are designed to sanitize dishes, not cook raw meat safely.
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Salmonella risk: Cooking below 165°F can cause bacteria like salmonella to thrive.
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No timers: There’s no way to time and monitor cook times precisely.
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Heat distribution issues: Heat may not properly penetrate and cook all areas.
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Halogen hazards: Touching hot halogen bulbs can burn or damage the dishwasher.
Viral Dishwasher Turkey Experiments
Despite expert warnings, some home cooks have tried dishwasher turkey and gone viral sharing the results, including:
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Jenny Jones: This now infamous YouTube video with over 7 million views documents her dishwasher turkey adventure. She deemed the result delicious but experts criticized her unsafe methods.
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Reynolds Kitchens: They tested dishwasher turkey to disastrous results. The turkey was still bloody and raw after a full cycle.
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Chad Rosenthal: This TikTok user tried dishwasher turkey last Thanksgiving. He said it turned out decently moist but was still undercooked.
Safest Cooking Methods for Turkey
For optimal safety and great results, stick to proven cooking methods:
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Oven roasted: Cook at 325°F until the thickest part of the breast hits 165°F. Baste periodically for moisture.
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Deep fried: Submerge in 350°F peanut oil for about 3-4 minutes per pound. Requires safety precautions.
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Smoker: Keep a constant temperature between 220-250°F and smoke for 8-9 hours depending on weight.
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Sous vide: Cook vacuum-sealed turkey in a precision water bath at safe temperatures like 145°F before searing.
The Verdict: Don’t Cook Your Turkey in the Dishwasher
While an interesting concept, cooking a Thanksgiving turkey in the dishwasher is an extremely risky endeavor that poses major food safety hazards. For delicious, safe results, follow proper methods to prepare your turkey. With good techniques, you can enjoy tender, juicy meat without resorting to questionable dishwasher shortcuts. Have a wonderful and carefree holiday!
More from CBS News
Karen Borta is a veteran journalist who joined CBS 11 News in 1995. Prior to that, she was an anchor and reporter at CBS affiliate WTVT-TV in Tampa, KRBK-TV in Sacramento and KCEN-TV in Waco.
I Made Thanksgiving Dinner In The Dishwasher…And My Family Had No Idea!
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