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 feel like a daunting task but having the right tool makes it much easier. The MEATER wireless smart thermometer takes the guesswork out of determining when your turkey is cooked to perfection.
But in order to get an accurate temperature reading, you need to place the MEATER probe in just the right spot Here is a detailed guide on exactly where to position the MEATER thermometer probe to master cooking turkey
Why MEATER is the Best Thermometer for Turkey
The MEATER thermometer has features that make it ideal for cooking whole turkeys and other large cuts of meat:
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It is completely wireless, so you can monitor the temperature from your phone without having wires trailing out of the oven.
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The app walks you through setting up the correct cook settings for whatever you are cooking. No more guessing temperatures and cook times!
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It has two probes in one device, allowing you to monitor two different parts of the turkey at the same time.
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It has a long probe that lets you reach the center of even very large turkeys.
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The MEATER app estimates how much cook time is remaining and alerts you when the turkey reaches the target temperature.
Key Things to Know About Cooking Turkey
Before we get into MEATER placement, here are some turkey cooking basics:
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The turkey should be completely thawed before cooking. Never cook a frozen turkey!
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Whole turkeys need to reach an internal temperature of 165°F in the breast and 175°F in the thighs and legs.
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Using a probe thermometer is crucial to prevent over or undercooking. Appearance is not a reliable indicator of doneness.
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The turkey should rest for 15-30 minutes once removed from the oven before carving. The temperature will rise 5-10°F during this time.
Where to Place the MEATER Probes
Breast Probe Placement
For a whole turkey, the best place to position one MEATER probe is in the thickest part of the breast, avoiding touching bone.
Aim to place it in the very center of the breast’s thickness. This will give you the most accurate reading of the breast temperature.
Thigh Probe Placement
The second MEATER probe can be placed in one of the thighs. Slide the probe into the inner thigh, next to the breast, angling it toward the middle of the thickest section.
Be sure to avoid hitting the bone. You want the probe tip to rest in the meatiest part of the thigh.
Having probes in both the breast and thigh allows you to monitor both sections and remove the turkey once they hit their target temperatures.
Troubleshooting MEATER Placement
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If the probe is touching bone, it may read higher than the actual meat temperature. Reposition it into the thickest meatiest area.
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If placed near the cavity, it can be affected by the air temp rather than the meat. Make sure the probe tip hits the meat.
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If positioned too close to the surface, it will under-read. You want the tip in the very center.
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If readings seem off, try gently moving the probe a bit deeper into the meat. Maintain placement in the thickest spot.
Handy Tips for MEATER and Turkey
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Secure the probes with toothpicks so they don’t shift during cooking.
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Set up the guided turkey cook in the MEATER app for 165°F breast and 175°F thigh.
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Use the app’s estimated cook time and notifications so you know when to start checking.
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If you only have one probe, place it in the breast since that’s harder to overcook.
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Let the turkey rest before carving so the temp equalizes and juices redistribute.
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Double check the lowest temp with an instant read thermometer before serving.
Getting the Perfect Turkey with MEATER
By placing your MEATER thermometer probes accurately in the turkey’s breast and thigh, you are virtually guaranteed perfect results. No more stressing about dry, overcooked meat or undercooked poultry.
The MEATER app walks you through the entire cook, letting you know precisely when your turkey is ready! With the MEATER wireless smart thermometer, you will look like a pro this holiday season.
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.
Understand the Thermal Center
The thermal center is the point in any food (including turkey) that is furthest from the exterior of the meat and therefore takes the longest to cook.
The turkey’s breast is the largest mass on the bird, and the center of the breast in its thickest area is where the thermal center will be. This is where the temperature needs to be tracked during the cook because it will be coldest here and your meat is only as done and safe as the lowest temperature found.
Poultry Probe Placement | MEATER Product Knowledge Video
FAQ
Where do you stab a meat thermometer in a turkey?
How do you put a meat thermometer in a Turkey?
To place a meat thermometer in a turkey, follow these steps: 1. Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. 2. Remove the turkey from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. 3. Place the turkey in a roasting pan. 4. Insert the meat thermometer into the thickest part of the turkey, avoiding the bones. 5.
How do you put a thermometer in a turkey breast?
Place the probe of your leave-in thermometer into the deepest part of the turkey breast. According to ThermoWorks, it’s best to enter the turkey horizontally, starting near the neck cavity. The tip should be about 1/2 to 1 inch from the internal cavity.
Where should a meat thermometer be inserted?
For an accurate reading, insert the probe at least up to this divot. You should check the temperature in three different places, per the USDA: the thigh, the wing, and the breast. The sweet spot is actually the place where there’s an even layer of meat above and below the probe.
Does Turkey need a meat thermometer?
Turkey is a healthy meat, high in protein and low in fat. However, it can be tricky to cook. One way to ensure that your turkey is cooked properly is to use a meat thermometer. A meat thermometer is a device used to measure the internal temperature of meat.