- Cooking your first turkey this year? Whether your a novice or an old pro, you'll want to follow these safety tips from the USDA.
- Thawing a turkey: It's probably too late to thaw your bird in the refrigerator (which takes 24 hours per 4-5 pounds), so you'll want to either thaw it in the microwave right before cooking, or using the cold water method, which takes 30 minutes per pound. Make sure you change the water every 30 minutes.
- Don't wash the turkey: Wash your hands thoroughly, but don't wash the turkey itself - you'll only spread pathogens around the kitchen. Make sure the bird is cooked to an internal temperature of 165 °F.
- Get those leftovers in the fridge: It's best to pack up the extra food and refrigerate it within two hours - and make sure you store the meat and stuffing separately.
- MOST IMPORTANATLY, Watch this classic WKRP "Turkeys away" episode while cooking your bird 😁