Do You Leave the Thermometer in the Turkey When Cooking?

Thanksgiving is one of the most food-centered days of the year, and just about the only time for a Turkey to shine. In this post, we’ll help you with one of the key principles of turkey cooking that you need to get a perfect bird this year!

While you can find any number of turkey recipes with varying methods and flavors they all have one thing in common: making sure your turkey is properly cooked. And the thermal principles that we talk about here for cooking your turkey are applicable to any recipe.

Cooking the perfect turkey can be intimidating. One key question that arises is whether you should leave the meat thermometer in the turkey while it’s cooking. In this article, we’ll dive into the pros and cons, proper techniques, and expert tips to determine the best practice.

The Case for Leaving It In

Here are some benefits to leaving the thermometer probe inserted in the turkey during roasting:

Continuous temperature monitoring – Keeping the thermometer in allows you to track the internal temperature in real time without continually taking it out and reinserting
Prevent overcooking – With the thermometer remaining inside, you can catch when the turkey reaches the ideal finished temperature and remove it from the oven.
Accuracy – The probe stays in direct contact with the meat giving a precise reading of the internal temp rather than estimating based on the thickest part.
Convenience – Checking the temperature is quicker and easier since the thermometer is already in place. No need to find the deepest section each time.

So leaving the thermometer in can make it simpler to get an accurate reading and reduce the turkey’s chances of overcooking.

Potential Drawbacks

However, there are a few potential cons to consider as well:

Movement of the probe – The probe could shift position during cooking, giving inconsistent temp readings.
Juices leaking – Inserting the probe can create a hole for juices to leak out, drying out the meat.
Food safety – Leaving a foreign object like a thermometer in the whole time could potentially introduce bacteria.
Oven space – The thermometer wires and probes take up valuable real estate in the oven.
Melting risk – If the thermometer touches oven walls, the wires or plastic components could melt.

So pros and cons exist on both sides. Proper technique is key to minimizing the drawbacks.

Expert Recommended Approach

The consensus among most chefs and cooking experts is:

Insert the thermometer probe halfway through the estimated cooking time. For a 15 lb turkey cooked at 325°F, insert after 1 hour 45 minutes.
Secure the probe with twine or a toothpick so it stays put. Avoid puncturing the skin.
Position the probe in the thickest part of the thigh without touching bone.
Check the temp every 30 minutes until the turkey is nearly finished cooking.
Remove the thermometer once the turkey reaches 165°F in the thigh.

Following this method allows the thermometer to remain in for a portion of the cooking time while still avoiding the potential pitfalls.

Should You Leave It in the Entire Time?

Leaving the thermometer probe inserted from start to finish is not recommended. Having it in the entire cooking duration increases the risks of the probe shifting, juices leaking, and melting of plastic parts.

It’s best to insert it halfway through once the turkey’s temperature begins rising more rapidly. Keeping it in only during the crucial final phase lets you monitor the temp increase without the drawbacks.

What About Wireless Thermometers?

Wireless digital thermometers avoid the wire risks of standard models. However, the probe can still move around or cause leakage.

Wireless thermometers are convenient for tracking oven and turkey temp together. But still take the probe out once the turkey hits 165°F to allow proper resting.

Can You Leave It in When Microwaving?

Microwaving small turkey portions like turkey breast is quick, but not safe with a thermometer. The wires and metal probe could damage the microwave or cause arcing.

For microwaved turkey, use a stand-alone thermometer to check temp after cooking. Never leave a probe inside during microwaving.

Key Considerations for Proper Use

To maximize success and accuracy when using your meat thermometer for turkey:

Purchase a high-quality, oven-safe thermometer specifically designed for roasting.
Clean and sanitize the probe before inserting to prevent bacterial contamination.
Place the probe in the thickest section of meat, avoiding contact with bone.
Keep the probe secured tightly with kitchen string or silicone.
Situate excess wire carefully to avoid contact with heat sources.
Set a kitchen timer to remind yourself to check temp regularly.
Remove turkey from oven and allow to rest as soon as it reaches 165°F.

Handy Temperature Tips

Whole turkey: 165°F in innermost thigh
Turkey breast: 165°F at thickest point
Microwaved turkey: 165°F checked with instant thermometer
Stuffing: 165°F for safety
Thighs, legs: 175°F for crispy skin
Wings: 180°F for tender, fall-off-the-bone meat

The Takeaway

While you can leave your thermometer in for a portion of the cooking time, it’s best removed before the turkey completes roasting. Following the proper precautions allows you to benefit from the convenience and accuracy of monitoring the internal temp, while avoiding the potential hazards.

do you leave thermometer in turkey when cooking

The First Step: Accurate Probe Placement

For best results, insert your thermometer’s oven-safe probe ( a DOT® with a Pro-Series® probe) into the deepest part of the turkey breast, avoiding bone. You want an even layer of meat above and below the probe so that it’s evenly surrounded by the meat.

Avoiding bones is important because bone has different thermal properties than meat. A probe resting against a bone will not give an accurate temperature reading for the meat itself. Plus the bones are not in the thermal center of the bird.

do you leave thermometer in turkey when cooking

Understand Your Thermometer’s Probe

For the most accurate probe placement, you need to understand your leave-in thermometer’s probe.

In the DOT’s probe (or any other Pro-Series probe), the sensor occupies only the very tip (within 1/8 of an inch [.3 cm]) of the end of the probe. A small sensor like that allows you to pinpoint your temperature taking.

Do You Leave The Meat Thermometer In While Cooking?

FAQ

Do you leave the temperature probe in while cooking?

Tip: Unless the thermometer is oven safe, never leave the thermometer in food that’s being cooked in an oven or on a stove.

Is it okay to leave a meat thermometer in the oven?

Can You Leave a Meat Thermometer in the Oven? Yes, most meat thermometers are designed to be able to resist high temperatures. It is, therefore, safe to use in the oven while your food cooks. But to be sure, it is best to check if your thermometer is designed to be oven-safe before putting it inside the oven.