Proper Thermometer Placement in Turkey
Knowing where to put the thermometer in your turkey is key to making sure you get an accurate temperature reading. And using a thermometer that is fast and accurate enough for the job is just as important. For cooking a turkey in the oven, make sure you’re using a leave-in probe thermometer. We recommend the ChefAlarm®, this thermometer has an oven-safe probe and displays live temperature readings on the unit which says outside the oven, so you know exactly what is happening inside your turkey. To learn more about the different kinds of thermometers, read What Kind of Thermometer Do I need?
Where to Put the Thermometer in a Turkey
As you can see in the graphic below, you want to make sure to avoid placing the probe in the bone. This is a very common mistake that people make when temping their turkey. You want to be sure to find the thermal center, which is essentially the coldest part or lowest temperature. With the ChefAlarm, you don’t necessarily have to find the center because it will get you in the ballpark,. We are looking to locate the lowest temperature possible, avoid any salmonella contamination, and cook right to the desired temperature.
Turkey Temperature Tip: Place the probe in the deepest part of the turkey breast, avoiding bone*.
How: Insert the probe laterally, from near the neck cavity, parallel to the cutting board or pan.
*The Probe’s very tip should be about 1/2 to 1 inch away from the internal cavity of the bird to avoid touching the bone.
More on Probe Placement and Cooking Turkey
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