HANDLING TURKEY SAFELY


TWO HOUR SAFETY ZONE

Plan to serve, eat and store leftovers from your Holiday dinner within 2 hours from taking them out of the oven. Bacteria that causes food poisoning can multiply to dangerous levels on food that is left at room temperature longer than 2 hours.


NO PARTIAL COOKING

Never partially cook a turkey and finish cooking later. This may cause food poisoning. Slow cooking at very low oven temperatures is also not recommended.


NEVER STUFF TURKEY AHEAD

Do not stuff turkey ahead of time. Combine only the dry ingredients the day before. If you don't have a large enough bowl, use a turkey size oven bag to combine dry ingredients. When ready to stuff the turkey, add remaining stuffing ingredients to the oven bag and toss to mix. To bake, transfer stuffing to the cavity of the turkey or to a foil-lined pan. For food safety, the stuffing temperature must reach 165° F when cooked.


DO NOT REHEAT WHOLE TURKEY

Reheating a whole turkey increases the risk of bacteria growth and food poisoning. Also reheating a whole turkey risks loss of moisture and fresh taste. If you must prepare the turkey ahead of time, slice the roasted turkey and place it in a foil-lined pan. Spoon broth over the turkey to prevent drying. Cover with foil and refrigerate. Reheat in foil-covered pan in 350° F oven until hot.


KEEP HOT FOODS HOT

Cooked foods should be kept hot at above 140° F. Cold foods should be kept cold, below 40° F.


HANDLING LEFTOVERS

TURKEY

Remove stuffing and cut turkey off the bone. Slice breast meat; legs and wings can be left whole. To freeze, wrap in Reynolds Wrap® Heavy Duty Aluminum. Freeze immediately.


STUFFING

Remove all stuffing from the turkey cavity immediately, place in shallow containers to cool quickly, cover with Reynolds Wrap® Aluminum Foil, crimp down edges of foil and refrigerate.


POTATOES, GRAVY & VEGETABLES

Divide large quantities in shallow containers to cool quickly. Cover with Reynolds Wrap® Foil, crimp down edges of foil and refrigerate. Or, combine with turkey and stuffing, wrap in heavy duty foil for individual meals and refrigerate.









NEED MORE ANSWERS?