Turkey thermometer placement

By Jimmy Downs

Safety first. When it comes to roasting a turkey, the turkey temperature or turkey roasting temperature is extremely important.

The USDA says that "a whole turkey is safe when cooked to a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F as measured with a food thermometer."

But you need to know something about turkey thermometer placement or where you should put your thermometer in the turkey. If you insert your thermometer in a wrong place, you may get a reading you may not want and your turkey may not be safe to eat.

The agency says a turkey thermometer needs to be inserted into the thickest part of the thigh and wing and the breast. Often, turkey recipes specify that the thickest part of the breast or the thigh is the place in which you should monitor the temperature.

If your turkey is stuffed, your thermometer should be inserted in the stuffing and when the cooking is complete, the stuffing needs to reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F.

The minimal innermost temperature in turkey is 165 °F. But food consumers may choose to cook turkey to higher temperatures.