While some recipes state that turkey should be cooked to 180 degrees Fahrenheit, the meat is safe to consume once it reaches the 165-degree mark. Cooking the breasts past 165 can result in dry meat, but the dark meat can be cooked to 180.
Just so, do you leave meat thermometer in turkey while cooking?
Yes, you can leave your meat thermometer in the meat while it’s cooking as long as the thermometer’s manufacturer says it’s oven-safe. Thermometers that are safe for use while cooking should have a clear “oven-safe” label.
Likewise, what temperature should turkey thigh be?
We recommend that you remove the bird from the oven when the breast temperature reaches 165 degrees and the thickest part of the thighs reaches between 170 and 175 degrees. To take the temperature of the breast, insert the thermometer into the deepest part of the breast, holding it parallel to the bird at the neck end.
Where do you put the thermometer in a turkey?
Here are few tips to keep in mind:
- When preparing a whole turkey, insert the thermometer into the thickest portion of the turkey breast, the innermost portion of thigh and the innermost portion of the wing.
- Make sure the thermometer does not touch bone, gristle or the pan.
Where is the thickest part of the thigh on a turkey?
Find the coldest spot. That’s where the least amount of heat has penetrated and therefore it’s the thickest section. Leave the thermometer where it is, slide the bird back in the oven, and wait until the desired temperature is reached.
Where is the thigh of a turkey?
The thigh is where the drumstick attaches to the body of the turkey. If you hit bone or if your thermometer slides right in (meaning you’ve hit the turkey cavity), remove the thermometer and insert it in a different spot. If you’ve hit the meatiest part, you should feel some resistance as you press the thermometer in.