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.
It’s a common Thanksgiving prep step – giving the turkey a good rinse before it goes into the oven. However, experts agree that washing raw poultry antes up the risk of foodborne illness. Read on to find out why you should never wash your turkey, plus the safe way to prep your bird.
Many home cooks think washing a raw turkey removes bacteria and makes it safer to eat. Intuitively a quick rinse seems harmless. But food safety experts at the USDA caution against this practice. Not only is washing ineffective against salmonella and other pathogens it can spread germs around your kitchen.
Why You Shouldn’t Wash Your Turkey
Washing doesn’t remove or kill bacteria – it only spreads it around Here’s why
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Bacteria spreads in splashes – Water from rinsing a turkey can splash bacteria up to 3 feet. Any nearby surfaces like counters or sinks become contaminated.
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Kitchen items get contaminated – Your hands, cutting boards, utensils etc get covered in bacteria during washing. It then transfers to other foods.
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Heat kills bacteria – Cooking the turkey to 165°F destroys bacteria. Washing is unnecessary and risky.
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Partial thawing raises risk – Washing a partially frozen turkey allows bacteria to spread to sinks and surfaces.
The USDA, CDC, and food safety experts agree: do not rinse raw poultry. The wisest approach is taking the turkey straight from the package to the roasting pan.
The Only Time You Should Wash a Turkey
There is one exception – if you brined the turkey first, it needs a quick rinse. The salt and seasoning should be removed before roasting.
Even when washing a brined bird, take steps to minimize bacteria spread:
- Clear sinks and counters of items, lay down paper towels
- Use cold water, gently rinse cavity and exterior
- Drain well, discard used paper towels
- Disinfect any surfaces touched by raw turkey
Follow safe handling and cooking guidelines to prevent foodborne illnesses from contaminated turkey.
Safe Turkey Handling Tips
- Refrigerate turkey right away, cook within 2 days
- Thaw in the fridge, allowing 24 hrs per 4-5 lbs
- Use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw poultry
- Wash hands before and after handling raw turkey
- Cook turkey to 165°F internally, use a meat thermometer
- Refrigerate all leftovers within 2 hours
Being mindful of these best practices in the kitchen keeps your holiday meal safe. Skip the risky turkey wash and follow other proven safety measures instead.
How to Prepare Turkey Without Washing
Here’s a safe workflow for prepping turkey:
- Take turkey out of packaging, remove giblets
- Pat the turkey dry inside and out with paper towels
- Apply dry rubs or seasoning as desired
- Truss or tie turkey legs if roasting whole
- Place turkey directly in roasting pan, no washing
- Roast turkey until internal temp reaches 165°F
Monitoring the temperature and allowing the heat to work ensures any bacteria are killed.
For optimal doneness, let the cooked turkey rest at least 20 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute through the meat.
Ask First About Washing Turkeys
If celebrating Thanksgiving at a relative’s or friend’s house, ask ahead of time if they plan to wash the turkey. Share concerns over this unsafe process. Offer to help with prep and cooking instead.
Work together to keep the holiday meal safe. Follow the expert guidance to skip washing and use other prevention methods against foodborne illness. Then relax and enjoy time with your loved ones.
Roasting Your Bird? Double Check These Tips:
- Allow 1.5-2 lbs turkey per guest when estimating size to buy
- Thaw turkey in the refrigerator, changing positions daily
- Place turkey or roasting rack directly in pan, no need to wash bird
- Roast turkey at 325°F, allowing 15-18 minutes per pound
- Test temperature in inner thigh and thickest breast area
- Let turkey rest 20+ minutes before carving for juicy meat
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours, use within 3 days
With the right guidelines, you can Skip the Wash but still rock the roast – and safely enjoy delicious Thanksgiving turkey!
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.
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.
Should You Rinse Raw Turkey/Chicken Before Cooking or Not? A Doctor Explains
FAQ
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