How to Check the Temperature of a Turkey

When it comes to cooking turkey, half of the battle is knowing when to take it out of the oven. Temping a turkey is the best and safest way to know when your turkey is done cooking. You can't just go by sight alone — this may cause you to end up with a dry bird. Believe it or not, a little pink does not necessarily mean the turkey is underdone. The safest and most surefire way to know that your turkey is done is by taking its internal temperature.

While adorable, those little pop-up timers that come with store-bought turkeys are often faulty and don't pop up until the turkey is overcooked. This method is going to rely on the use of a meat thermometer, so you get the juicy, flavorful turkey of your Thanksgiving dreams.

What Should the Temperature of a Turkey Be?

You'll find that most people (including the USDA) consider the turkey to be done once it's reached a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees F (75 degrees C) in the thickest part of the thigh. While you might be tempted to insert your thermometer into the breast meat, dark meat takes longer to cook than light meat, meaning the thigh will give you the most accurate reading as to when your turkey is done.

What You'll Need to Take a Turkey's Temperature

An instant-read meat thermometer is going to be the most accurate tool for temping a turkey because we've already established that the pop-up timer can't be trusted.

How to Check the Temperature of a Turkey

1. Remove the Turkey From the Oven and Close the Door

When you're ready to temp your turkey, remove the turkey completely from the oven and close the oven door. This helps to preserve the heat in the oven in the case the turkey needs to go back in.

2. Insert the Thermometer Into the Thigh Meat

Insert your thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh meat so that the thermometer is parallel to the turkey. To find the thigh, look for the drumstick (which sticks out from the body). Remember, 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 into a different spot. If you've hit the meatiest part, you should feel some resistance as you press the thermometer in.

3. Hold the Thermometer in Place

Hold the thermometer in place until the numbers stop moving (or the red dial stops moving in the case of a mechanical thermometer). If the turkey has reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, it's done! If it hasn't, put it back in the oven.

Note: If you've stuffed your turkey, you'll also need to check that the stuffing's internal temperature has reached a minimum of 165 degrees F (75 degrees C) as well.

4. Let the Turkey Rest

The turkey is not ready for carving just yet. Let it rest in the pan anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes. This will allow the juices to settle into the meat, rather than pour out onto your cutting board.

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• How to Cook a Turkey
• 9 Mistakes That Could Sabotage Your Thanksgiving Turkey