How to cook a turkey? Don’t waste your time with other posts. Here’s the plain truth: The secret to perfect turkey is proper control of turkey temperature. And that’s our jam. Use whatever recipe you like—deep-fry it, smoke it, roast it, whatever. But neglect these fundamental principles at your own peril!
Turkey Doneness Temp: 157°F (69°C) in the breast—not 165°F!, and 175°F (79°C) in the thigh for moist turkey. (USDA charts here or read more below to see why this is safe.)
Cooking the perfect turkey thigh can seem intimidating. With so many different methods and temperature guidelines, how do you ensure a juicy, flavorful result every time? This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to cook turkey thighs to tender, succulent perfection.
Why Choose Turkey Thighs?
Compared to white turkey breast meat thighs contain more fat collagen, and flavor. This makes them ideal for staying moist during cooking. Thighs are also cheaper and contain more nutrients like iron, zinc, and vitamin B6. For home cooks seeking the tastiest cut of turkey that’s budget-friendly and nutrient-dense – thighs are the way to go.
Picking the Right Thighs
When selecting turkey thighs choose thighs that are pale pink with smooth, blemish-free skin. Avoid thighs with tears or rough discolored patches on the skin. For even cooking, choose thighs that are similarly sized. Bone-in thighs hold moisture better during cooking but boneless thighs cook faster. Go with your cooking method and preference.
Preparing Turkey Thighs
Proper prep is key for perfectly cooked turkey thighs. Here are some tips:
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Trim excess fat and skin: This prevents the thighs from tasting greasy. Leave about 1⁄4 inch of skin.
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Pat dry: Blot thighs with paper towels to remove excess moisture for crisper skin when cooking.
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Season: Rub thighs all over with oil then season generously with salt, pepper and your choice of herbs or spices.
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Refrigerate: Let thighs marinate in seasoning for up to 12 hours for enhanced flavor.
Choosing a Cooking Method
Turkey thighs can be prepared using a variety of different cooking techniques
Oven Roasting: This traditional cooking method uses dry oven heat to evenly cook thighs. Roast at 375°F for juicy, tender meat.
Grilling: Imparts delicious charred flavor from the grill. Use medium-high heat. Baste with sauce to prevent drying.
Braising: Slow cooking thighs in liquid like broth produces fall-off-the-bone meat. Braise at 300°F for 2-3 hours.
Sous Vide: Cooks thighs in a precisely temperature controlled water bath for ultimate tenderness. Cook at 165°F for 2-4 hours.
Air Frying: Makes ultra crispy skin and seals in moisture. Air fry at 380°F for 18-25 minutes.
Slow Cooker: Low, moist heat tenderizes thighs. Cook on LOW for 4-6 hours.
Monitoring Temperature
The most important step for perfect turkey thighs is accurately monitoring internal temperature. This guarantees thighs are fully cooked for food safety without overcooking.
According to USDA guidelines, turkey thighs must reach a minimum internal temperature of 165°F. However, higher temps up to 175°F are often recommended for tender, juicy meat with clearer juices.
Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, avoiding bone. Check temperature in a few places to ensure even cooking.
For stuffed thighs, the center of the stuffing must reach 165°F. Let thighs rest for 10 minutes before serving for the juiciest results.
Common Temperature Recommendations
Here are some common target internal temperatures for cooking turkey thighs:
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165°F – USDA minimum safe temperature. Thighs will be fully cooked.
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170°F – Thighs will be well done with slightly firm, drier meat.
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175°F – Considered ideal for juicy thighs. Meat is slightly pink.
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180°F – Thighs are fully cooked but can be dry and overcooked. Juices may be clear.
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185°F+ – Meat is very overcooked and dry. Not recommended.
Time Guidelines
Cook times vary greatly based on size, bone-in vs boneless, cooking method and temperature. Use these general guidelines per pound of thighs:
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Oven Roast at 375°F
- Bone-in: 40-60 minutes
- Boneless: 30-45 minutes
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Grill at Medium-High Heat
- Bone-in: 35-50 minutes
- Boneless: 25-35 minutes
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Braise at 300°F
- Bone-in: 60-75 minutes
- Boneless: 45-60 minutes
Rely on a meat thermometer over cook times for accuracy since times vary. Cook until the thermometer displays the desired internal temp.
Common Mistakes
Follow these tips to avoid the most common turkey thigh cooking mistakes:
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Not brining – Brining keeps thighs juicy. Soak in a saltwater solution for 2-6 hours before cooking.
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High oven temp – Cooking thighs above 375°F can dry them out. Stick to 350-375°F for moist meat.
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No thermometer – Monitoring temperature is crucial for perfect doneness. Always use a meat thermometer.
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Overcooking – Cook only until the thermometer displays the target temperature to prevent dry, overcooked meat.
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No resting time – Let thighs rest for 10 minutes before carving for juicier meat.
Cooking Times for Different Internal Temperatures
To ensure you cook turkey thighs to your desired doneness, follow these approximate guidelines:
165°F internal temperature
- Oven roast bone-in: 45-60 minutes
- Grill bone-in: 40-55 minutes
- Braise bone-in: 65-80 minutes
170°F internal temperature
- Oven roast bone-in: 50-65 minutes
- Grill bone-in: 45-60 minutes
- Braise bone-in: 70-85 minutes
175°F internal temperature
- Oven roast bone-in: 55-70 minutes
- Grill bone-in: 50-65 minutes
- Braise bone-in: 75-90 minutes
Remember, use a meat thermometer to check accuracy instead of relying solely on cook times for perfectly cooked turkey thighs every time.
Let’s Review
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For ultimate flavor and moisture, turkey thighs are the best choice over breast meat.
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Proper prep like trimming, seasoning and refrigerating improves flavor.
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Roasting, grilling, braising and air frying are great cooking methods.
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A meat thermometer is essential for monitoring doneness based on internal temperature.
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Cook thighs to 165-175°F for the ideal texture and moisture level.
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Avoid overcooking and let thighs rest before serving.
With this comprehensive guide, you now have all the information needed to cook turkey thighs like an expert! So grab those tasty thighs and get cooking some amazingly juicy, flavorful turkey.
CARRYOVER COOKING IN TURKEY
The higher temperatures that exist on the outside of the turkey will continue moving toward the lower temperature center area of the meat even after you take your turkey out of the heat.
This is called carryover cooking. While small cuts of meat like steaks or chops experience minimal carryover, large cuts, like turkeys or roasts, can experience as much as 5-10°F (3-6°C) increase in internal temperature while the exterior cools. We call the way a cooked turkey comes to one temperature while it rests “equilibration.”
Best thermometers for cooking turkey
That’s why it’s important both to track your cooking temp with a cooking alarm thermometer like Smoke X, ChefAlarm, or DOT (sometimes called a “leave-in probe thermometer”) and to verify your doneness temps with a fast and accurate instant-read thermometer. Two different thermometers for two different but very important jobs.
If you only have one, the instant-read is the more important, since it allows you to verify doneness temperature in multiple places. But each time you open the oven door or the smoker lid to check on your turkey temps, you’re likely to reduce the internal temperature of the oven or smoker by as much as 50°F (28°C).
But with an alarm thermometer, you’ll be able to track your turkey’s internal cooking temperature from outside the oven or smoker, so you won’t miss the critical moment when your turkey is done!
Remember, your goal is to cook your turkey breast to exactly 157°F (69°C) and not one degree more.
How to Bake Turkey Thighs ~ Easy Cooking
What temperature should turkey thighs be cooked to?
To ensure that your turkey thighs are cooked to a safe temperature, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The turkey thighs should be cooked until the meat reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit in the thickest part of the thigh. There are a number of factors that can affect the internal temperature of turkey thighs, including:
How to cook turkey thighs in oven?
Insert a temperature probe in the deepest part of the thigh to track its internal temperature. Also, attach a temperature probe to the pan to track the ambient temperature of your oven. Place your turkey thighs in the oven on the middle rack and cook them until they reach an internal temperature of 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
What temperature should a Turkey be cooked at?
When roasting turkey, here are the temperatures to follow: Whole turkey: On your meat thermometer, a whole cooked turkey should reach an internal temperature of 165°F in the breast and 175°F in the thigh. Whole turkey, stuffed: The center of the stuffing must reach 165°F.
How do I know if my turkey thighs are cooked?
To ensure that your turkey thighs are cooked to a safe temperature, you can use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, away from the bone. The temperature should read 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius) when the thigh is cooked through.