5 Thanksgiving Day last minute food safety tips

Someone stuffing a turkey (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

5 Thanksgiving Day last minute food safety tips

Each year on Thanksgiving, countless people get sick,  and we’re not talking about getting sick from overeating. People get sick because the food was prepared properly.  These 5 Thankgiving Day last minute food safety tips can help you avoid that.

5 Thanksgiving Day last minute food safety tips

1. Make sure all surfaces that you use to prepare food are very clean.
2. Have plenty of cooking utensils handy.  Avoid using a utensil in a raw dish, like a spoon preparing the stuffing, and then using the same spoon to stir the gravy.
3. Use a meat thermometer to make sure the turkey is done. The minimum internal temperature should reach 165 °F for safety.
4. Promptly, within 2 hours is best, refrigerate any leftovers.
5. Consider making the stuffing separately and not stuffing the turkey. There’s a lot of debate about this one but why risk it.

You should have defrosted your turkey by now and the absolute best way is to allow it to defrost for 2 days in the refrigerator.  If you left it out of the counter, throw it away.  It is a breeding ground for bacteria.

If you did forget, in the midst of the holiday preparation, to take your turkey out of the freezer, don’t fret.  There is hope.

Jobs from Indeed

jobs by

You can safely defrost the turkey in cold water. Wrap your turkey  and submerge it in cold water. It will take awhile; approximately 30 minutes per pound.  Be sure to change the water every 30 minutes.

Your family may not eat until 10pm, if you have a large turkey, however, at least no one will get sick!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Related articles

• Martie Duncan: Be Thankful and Food Safe This Thanksgiving
• Thanksgiving Tips: How to Thaw a Turkey
• Thanksgiving Safety Tips From Whole Foods Market

Follow