The temperature danger zone, which is defined as the temperature range between which most bacteria grow and reproduce, is 40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Because room-temperature turkey falls into this danger zone, it is not safe to leave a turkey at room temperature before cooking. If the turkey is fresh, leave it in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook it. If the turkey is frozen, there are safe ways to thaw it. Show Knowing the RisksWhen a turkey is left at room temperature, any bacteria present in the turkey are able to multiply, increasing in numbers at a very rapid rate. Some bacteria are even able to produce toxins, which cannot be destroyed through cooking. These factors increase the risk of developing food-borne illness from eating the turkey. Young children are especially susceptible to food-borne illness, so proper handling of a turkey is particularly important when children are involved. Fresh TurkeyIf you are preparing fresh turkey, it is best to buy the turkey one to two days before you plan to serve it and to leave the turkey in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook it. Do not leave the turkey on the counter. Put the turkey in a tray or pan to catch any juices that leak from the turkey. If possible, place the turkey on the bottom of your refrigerator. This way, if juices leak, they will not contaminate any other foods in your refrigerator. Safely Thawing TurkeyIf you purchased a frozen turkey, leaving it out at room temperature is a potentially dangerous way to defrost it. There are three methods for thawing a turkey safely.
Important NoteIf you purchased a stuffed turkey, do not thaw it out prior to cooking. Because stuffed turkeys carry a higher risk of food-borne illness, they should be cooked in a frozen state. The USDA recommends buying only stuffed turkeys that contain a USDA or state mark of inspection, which indicates that the turkey is safe to eat. Related ArticlesHow to Defrost a Turkey Should I Cook My Turkey if It Is Smelly? How Long to Thaw a Frozen Turkey The Best Way to Cook an Extra Large ... Can You Cook a Turkey Halfway & Finish ... How to Cook a Turkey Joint How to Cook a Turkey From Frozen Can I Leave a Frozen Pork Roast out ... How to Bake Boneless Chicken to Stay ... The Best Way to Cook a Honeysuckle ... How to Cook a Frozen Turkey How to Cook Jennie-O Turkey in a ... How to Reheat Sliced Turkey Does Chicken Have to Be Completely ... Can I Cook a Whole Chicken Without ... Ideal Turkey Cooking Time by Weight How to Keep a Smoked Turkey From Drying ... How to Create a Foil Tent for Cooking ... How Long Can I Keep Frozen Whole ... Is Frozen Ground Beef Left out for 3 ... References
Writer Bio Lindsay Boyers has a Bachelor of Science in nutrition from Framingham State College and a certificate in holistic nutrition from the American College of Healthcare Sciences. She is also a licensed aesthetician with advanced training in skincare and makeup. She plans to continue on with her education, complete a master's degree program in nutrition and, ultimately, become a registered dietitian. How long can a raw turkey sit out before it goes bad?Many kitchen amateurs may be tempted to leave the turkey out on the counter to thaw it. You should never do this as leaving a turkey out for more than 2 hours will cause bacteria to grow.
Can you leave raw turkey out overnight?The short answer is, not really. Of course, you can eat a turkey that has been thawed on a counter, and generations of us have grown up eating turkeys that sat out all night. But it's not what modern food scientists recommend.
Is it safe to eat a turkey that was thawed at room temperature?At room temperature, the turkey will thaw on the outside and rise well above the “danger zone” of 40°F, FoodSafety.gov explains. Bacteria in the turkey can multiply quickly when it's at room temperature for more than two hours. You may serve up salmonella poisoning along with your famous candied yams.
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