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.
Should You Wash Turkey Breast Before Cooking? Food Safety Tips
As Thanksgiving approaches, home cooks everywhere are prepping to roast the star of the holiday meal – turkey! When handling raw turkey breast, a common question arises – should you wash or rinse the turkey breast before cooking?
According to food safety experts at the USDA rinsing raw poultry increases the risk of foodborne illness. Bacteria present on the skin and meat can splash and spread to surfaces utensils and ready-to-eat foods. Cooking kills bacteria, so washing turkey breast before roasting, grilling, smoking or other cooking methods is not recommended.
The USDA states that the ONLY scenario when turkey should be washed is after brining to remove some excess salt. In all other cases, raw turkey breast or whole birds should go straight from package to roasting pan without rinsing.
Safety Risks of Washing Turkey
Washing poultry seems logical, but it can easily backfire when dealing with dangerous bacteria like salmonella Here’s why the USDA advises against washing raw turkey
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It’s impossible to remove all bacteria – Cooking is the only way to kill harmful pathogens lurking on raw meat. No amount of rinsing will remove all bacteria.
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Splashing spreads germs – Runoff liquid can spread bacteria up to 3 feet around your sink and surfaces.
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Cross-contamination – Rinsing turkey in the sink can transfer bacteria onto utensils, prep tools and other kitchen items.
To avoid these risks, prep and cook turkey without any additional washing or rinsing. Use hot soapy water to clean any surfaces and utensils that contacted the raw meat. Cook to the proper internal temperature to ensure food safety.
Proper Handling of Raw Turkey
These steps will help you safely prep turkey breast or a whole bird for cooking:
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Refrigerate – Keep turkey chilled at 40°F or below until ready to cook. Thaw in the refrigerator if frozen.
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Prepare – Remove giblets from cavities. Pat turkey dry with paper towels.
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Season – Rub skin with oil or seasoning blends as desired. Stuff just before cooking.
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Roast – Cook turkey breast or whole bird immediately after any final prep. Use a meat thermometer to confirm safe doneness.
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Clean – Wash hands, prep tools, sinks and counters after handling raw turkey.
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Carve – Slice turkey breast or whole bird after resting. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.
Brining Turkey and Proper Rinsing
If you choose to brine turkey breast or a whole bird, rinse it afterwards with cool water to remove some excess saltiness. Avoid splashing by following these steps:
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Remove other items from the sink first. Cover surrounding countertop with paper towels.
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Rinse the turkey gently inside and out using a slow stream of water. Do not vigorously scrub or soak.
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Allow water to drain from the cavity, discarding paper towels after.
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Transfer rinsed turkey to a clean pan and season or stuff as desired before roasting.
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Disinfect sink and faucet after rinsing turkey. Wash hands thoroughly with soap.
Skip Washing for Safest Results
Forget any myths you’ve heard about “cleaning” poultry – the safest practice is to cook turkey breast and whole birds as-is, without washing or rinsing. Proper cooking will take care of eliminating bacteria. Focus your efforts on preventing cross-contamination when handling raw turkey meat. Then let your oven work its magic to deliver a beautiful golden brown turkey centerpiece to carve and enjoy!
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.
Does a turkey breast need to be washed before cooking?
FAQ
Should you wash a turkey breast before cooking?
Should you rinse or pat dry turkey?
Can you cook a turkey without washing it?
Should you wash a Turkey before cooking?
Not necessarily. Wash your hands, but not the turkey! Many consumers think that washing their turkey will remove bacteria and make it safer. However, it’s virtually impossible to wash bacteria off the bird. Instead, juices that splash during washing can transfer bacteria onto the surfaces of your kitchen, other foods and utensils.
Can You rinse a raw turkey?
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), it’s 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! There’s only one time that you should ever rinse your bird. Read on to find out more, and the safest way to do it.
Should you cook a turkey breast the day before?
Cooking a turkey breast the day before and reheating it can be a smart strategy to save time and reduce stress on the day of your event. With a few easy steps, you can have a delicious, moist, and tender turkey breast ready to impress your guests. Follow our guide below to learn how to cook a turkey breast in advance and reheat it to perfection.
Can You reheat a turkey breast the day before?
Absolutely! Cooking a turkey breast the day before and reheating it is a convenient way to plan ahead for a special occasion or to save time on the day of your meal. Just make sure to properly store and reheat the turkey to maintain its flavor and texture.