Last night in the midst of another run to the store for a few last minute grocery items, I tossed spices, unsalted butter, flour and an extra bag of potatoes in my cart (as one can never have too many potatoes). As my cart rolled past a display of aluminum foil pans, it dawned on me that for the first time ever, I will be transporting a turkey from my home to someone elses home. In a way, I suppose Ill be acting as a chauffeur for the turkey, as I escort it from point A to point B.
Did I mention that the turkey will be cooked? That this is the first turkey Ill have ever cooked in my life? It will be transported as a whole, roasted, uncarved turkey, and it weighs about 15 pounds.
When I offered to make this turkey, I hadnt thought about the three flights of stairs I would be lugging the turkey up and down, that the turkey would remain uncarved or that somehow a 15-pound turkey would feel much heavier in comparison to the ten pounds of potatoes I just purchased. Im sure those of you in major cities can relate to the struggle, especially if your buildings lack elevators.
After researching on Pinterest, I polled a few facebook friends and family to see if they had advice. Most suggested transporting the turkey in a cooler as this will both keep the turkey contained and keep it warm for traveling a short distance of about 10 miles. This solution is also much easier to lug down the stairs than a roasting pan. Better Homes and Gardens cautions not to transport a cook and stuffed turkey. A turkey should be transported without stuffing, and should meet these criteria: turkey thigh is 180 degrees F internal temperature, that the breast is 170 degrees F, and that the juices run clear. The safest way to transport is to cook the turkey, let sit for twenty minutes and then carve. After that, pack up the carved meat and move to a cooler. A turkey should NOT be partially cooked, transported and then finished cooking – as bacteria grow quickly in warmth, which could lead to food poisoning. For more information, check out these tips from the experts at BHG. Hopefully, these turkey transport tips will come in handy!
Transporting a cooked turkey can seem like a daunting task, but with some planning and the right materials, it can be done safely. Whether you need to drive across town or fly across the country, keeping your turkey delicious and bacteria-free is possible.
Why Transporting Turkey Can Be Tricky
Turkey is very perishable and can be a food safety risk if not handled properly. Here are some of the challenges with transporting cooked turkey:
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Bacteria growth. Turkey needs to be kept out of the “danger zone” temperature range of 40-140°F to prevent bacteria from multiplying rapidly. If turkey sits in this range too long it can lead to foodborne illness.
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Drying out Turkey dries out quickly and can turn from juicy and moist to dry and tough. Extended time out of the oven or reheating can worsen this.
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Loss of crispiness. The skin on turkey can lose its crispiness during transport, especially if steam builds up from keeping turkey warm.
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Spilling gravy. Transporting hot gravy alongside turkey can be messy. Spilled gravy also makes the turkey soggy.
Tips for Keeping Turkey Safe
Follow these tips to keep your turkey safe during transport:
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Cook thoroughly before transport. Turkey should reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Use a meat thermometer to verify doneness.
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Let turkey rest before packing. Let turkey rest 20-30 minutes after cooking so juices can redistribute through the meat. This helps prevent drying out.
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Remove stuffing and cook separately. Never transport cooked turkey stuffed with stuffing. Cook stuffing in a casserole dish.
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Cut turkey into smaller pieces. Carving turkey into quarters or smaller pieces helps it chill faster. Smaller pieces also pack easier.
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Refrigerate quickly after cooking. Get turkey into the fridge within 2 hours of coming out of the oven. This prevents bacteria growth.
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Use an insulated cooler. A well-insulated cooler will keep turkey colder longer. Surround turkey tightly with ice packs.
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Pack turkey in air-tight containers. Packing carved turkey in sealed containers or resealable plastic bags protects it and contains leaks or spills.
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Keep raw juices/gravy separate. Cook and transport gravy in a separate sealed container to prevent turkey from soaking in liquid during transport.
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Wash hands and surfaces. Wash hands, cutting boards, knives, platters and counters with hot soapy water before and after contact with raw turkey and juices.
Transporting Hot Turkey
Transporting freshly cooked hot turkey allows you to serve it immediately at your destination. Here are some tips:
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Cook turkey right before transport and keep it warm in a 200-250°F oven.
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Place turkey in an insulated carrier or wrap in towels and newspaper to retain heat.
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Transport time should be limited to 2 hours maximum in the “danger zone” temperatures.
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Check internal temperature with a thermometer when you arrive. Turkey should still be 165°F or higher.
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Let turkey rest 15 minutes before carving to allow juices to redistribute.
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Carve turkey just before serving. The longer it sits, the more heat is lost.
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Keep gravy hot in a thermos or insulated container. Pour just before serving.
Transporting Cold Turkey
For longer transit times, chilling turkey fully and reheating later may be best:
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Let turkey chill completely in the refrigerator after cooking, ideally overnight.
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Cut turkey into smaller portions to allow it to chill faster. Remove stuffing.
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Pack portions in air-tight containers and place in a cooler with ice packs.
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Place stuffing, gravy and other sides in separate containers, also in the cooler.
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Limit opening the cooler during transport to prevent temperature fluctuations.
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Refrigerate again immediately upon arrival until fully chilled again before reheating.
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Reheat turkey portions to 165°F. Gravy can be reheated gently on the stovetop.
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Bring smaller portions like wings, breast meat and stuffing to room temp before reheating for more even warming.
Packing the Right Gear for Transport
Having the right supplies will make getting your turkey to its destination much easier:
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Insulated cooler – A heavy-duty insulated cooler will maintain safe temperatures. Look for one large enough to hold a whole turkey.
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Ice or freezer packs – Pack plenty of ice packs or freezer packs around the turkey to keep it chilled.
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Thermometer – Bring an instant-read thermometer to check turkey upon arrival.
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Oven-safe containers – Bring aluminum disposable pans or other oven-safe containers for reheating.
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Resealable plastic bags – Take quart and gallon-sized bags for containing portions and preventing leaks.
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Paper towels/disinfectant – Bring these to clean up any spills in transit and to sanitize surfaces.
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Carving tools – Pack a carving knife, fork and meat thermometer to carve turkey upon arrival.
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Hot pads & towels – These help remove hot pans from ovens and insulation safely.
With smart planning and the right supplies, you can safely transport your turkey anywhere. Just remember to keep temperatures consistent, prevent spills and contamination and verify doneness upon arrival. Enjoy your perfectly cooked turkey no matter where your destination!
How do you transport a cooked turkey and keep it warm?
FAQ
How long can you travel with a cooked turkey?
How do you keep a cooked turkey warm and moist?
How long can a cooked turkey sit out?
How do you prepare a Turkey for transport?
Make sure your turkey is fully cooked before beginning to prepare it for transport. No one wants to eat food that’s not been properly cooked, and you certainly don’t want to be responsible for making anyone sick! Once your turkey is cooked, allow it to cool, but not for too long.
Can one have turkey and carrots?
Eating turkey and carrots is part of healthy habits. The turkey has meat like chicken and is another healthy poultry option. Carrots are rich in carotenoids, it is a source of vitamin A, fiber, potassium and vitamin B3.
How to transport a frozen turkey?
You will need to bring ice packs to pack into the cooler as well. When all is said and done, transporting a frozen turkey is a fairly straightforward process. There isn’t too much to worry about, other than making sure that the turkey stays cold while you are travelling to your destination.
How do you pack a cooked turkey?
Wrap the turkey tightly in aluminum foil. Place the turkey in a cooler or insulated bag. Add ice packs or cold packs to the cooler to keep the turkey cold. Packing a cooked turkey can be tricky, but it’s important to do it correctly to ensure that the turkey stays fresh and safe to eat. Here are a few tips for packing a cooked turkey: 1.