Nearly 9 in 10 Americans have turkey on Thanksgiving, according to data from the National Turkey Federation. In fact, nearly 740 million pounds of turkey are consumed in the United States every fourth Thursday of November - accounting for roughly one-quarter of the amount of turkey eaten in the U.S. each year!
Delicious and tender when cooked to perfection, turkey isn't something that you can simply throw in the oven and have ready an hour or two later. It requires consistent …show more content…
The average turkey on Thanksgiving weighs roughly 16 pounds, according to the National Turkey Federation.
Ensure it's thawed completely
Although more people today are buying their turkeys fresh, most people still purchase them in the days before the big meal. In order to ensure that it's fully thawed - and that you don't risk any food-borne illnesses - take the turkey out at least a day before it will be prepared and keep it in the refrigerator. The typical turkey thaws at a rate of 4 to 5 pounds per 24 hours.
Cook thoroughly
Perhaps one of the biggest things to pay attention to while cooking a turkey is how long it should be in the oven. If its interior temperature is 180 degrees Fahrenheit, then it's done. You can determine this by sticking a food thermometer into its thickest portion, making sure to avoid the bone. It typically takes 20 minutes per pound for a turkey to cook in a 350 degree oven.
Be extremely careful when