Only by using a food thermometer can one accurately determine that poultry has reached a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F throughout the product. Turkey can remain pink even after cooking to a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F. The meat of smoked turkey is always pink.”
Why is my cooked turkey pink?
You smoked or grilled your turkey.
So, what causes this? Myoglobin, a protein found in muscle, is the source of the pink color. Heat usually denatures the myoglobin, turning it brown, but with the lower, slower heat of smoking, the pink color often remains.
Can cooked turkey be slightly pink?
Turkey can still be pink even if it is properly cooked. Remember that smoked turkey is always pink. Poultry is lighter in color than beef because it has much less myoglobin, the iron-rich protein that stores oxygen in muscle.
Is pink turkey safe to eat?
A turkey with pink juices is perfectly safe to eat if the meat has reached 165°F in both the breast and thigh. Check the temperature in both areas, as they can cook at different rates.
How do I know if my turkey is undercooked?
The deepest part of the thigh muscle is the very last part of the turkey to be done. The internal temperature should reach 180°F. To check for doneness without a thermometer, pierce the thigh and pay attention to the juices: if the juices run clear, it’s cooked, and if the juices are reddish pink, it needs more time.
What happens if you eat undercooked turkey?
Thorough cooking or pasteurization kills Salmonella bacteria. You’re at risk when you consume raw, undercooked, or unpasteurized items. Salmonella food poisoning is commonly caused by: undercooked chicken, turkey, or other poultry.
Can you Recook undercooked meat?
Don’t worry. There is a way to recook your food without overcooking it. If it’s only slightly undercooked, turn the heat back on, even if just enough for pan frying and once oil is hot again, put the meat back in the pan then cover. … You can use a frying pan to gently recook it, too, by steaming it gently.
Can you reheat cooked turkey?
It’s not a good idea to reheat turkey more than once. Technically, as long as it reaches 165° F each time, it’s safe to eat. That said, every time you heat and cool food, it passes through the danger zone (between 40° and 140° F). … It’s best to err on the side of caution and reheat leftover turkey only once.
What makes a cooked turkey tough?
When the contracting muscle fibers reach 180° F they begin to break up. The bonds within the molecules begin to break down, causing proteins to unravel and the muscle meat becomes more tender. Of course the longer the turkey is cooked, the more the proteins are denatured and the meat gets tougher.
What temperature do you cook turkey to?
How long you cook your turkey can vary, depending on the temperature of the oven and whether or not your turkey recipe calls for a stuffed or unstuffed bird. We recommend roasting turkey at 350 degrees F for 13 minutes per pound for an unstuffed turkey.
Can Turkey be eaten medium rare?
Turkey isn’t safe cooked medium-rare. It needs 64 minutes at 134°F to kill any potential salmonella. … 150°F, or medium-well, is the trade off. Not so well done that all the water was squeezed out; cooked long enough that salmonella is not a concern.
Can you eat raw turkey?
Always handle raw turkey carefully and cook it thoroughly to prevent food poisoning. Raw turkey products can have germs that spread around food preparation areas and can make you sick.
When should I take my turkey out?
For turkey that’s 165 degrees, you’ll want to remove the bird from the oven when the temperature reaches 155 to 160 degrees because it will continue to cook outside the oven. Keep in mind that larger turkeys will hold more heat and keep cooking for longer.
Why did my turkey turn out rubbery?
In most cases rubbery consistency results from dehydrating the meat at lower temperatures. This often leads to the outside being dry and nasty while the inside is rubbery because it’s not fully cooked. Is turkey supposed to taste rubbery? Rubbery texture comes from cooking too long with too low a heat.
How long should a turkey cook in the oven?
10. Calculate Turkey Cooking Time and Temperature. The simplest way to figure out turkey roasting times is to calculate 13 minutes per pound at 350°F for an unstuffed turkey (that’s about 3 hours for a 12- to 14-lb turkey), or 15 minutes per pound for a stuffed turkey.