“If your popper didn’t pop, it doesn’t mean that the turkey’s not done. That’s where a lot of people kind of over-cook their birds — they’re worried about that popper,” he said. Mohan recommends first searing the bird, at 500 degrees. Then, he says, use a meat thermometer, which you can find at most grocery stores.
What happens if a turkey popper doesn’t pop?
What Happens If the Turkey Thermometer Doesn’t Pop? If the turkey thermometer hasn’t popped, your turkey may not have cooked thoroughly yet. If you’re worried about the thermometer not working correctly, you can always double-check the temperature of your turkey with a regular meat thermometer.
What temp does the popper pop on a turkey?
165° F
Self-inserted and manufacturer-inserted timers generally “popped” in our tests at internal temperatures above 165° F—the minimum safe temperature for all poultry. But three timers popped up when meat was still below that safe zone, one as low as 139.5° F.
Can I trust the turkey popper?
These pop-up timers are actually inaccurate. There’s a reason that turkey has a reputation for being dry, and it’s because of these timers. If they ever pop at all, it can be too late. Or even worse, they could rise too early and your turkey could be underdone, putting you and your guests at the risk of food poisoning.
How do you know when the turkey is ready?
You’ll need a meat thermometer to make sure you cook your turkey to the right temperature. Insert it close to, but not touching, the thigh bone. If it reads 180 degrees F in the thigh and 170 degrees F in the breast, it’s done and ready to serve.
How long does it take a 20 lb turkey to cook?
4 to 5 hours
Unsure how long you’re supposed to leave the bird in the oven? If you’re baking it at 325°F (the lowest temperature the USDA recommends), you’ll need to bake a 20-lb turkey in the oven for 4 to 5 hours if it’s unstuffed, and 4 ¼ to 5 ¼ hours if it’s stuffed.
Do you keep the plastic thing on the turkey?
The “plastic thing” on the turkey legs is the hock lock. It secures the hind legs, or hock, of a chicken or turkey. It can be made of heat-resistant nylon or metal, and it’s perfectly safe to leave it in the bird while it roasts.
How does the turkey popper work?
There’s a spring inside them, which is held in place by a substance (salt compound or metal soldering) which melts at the right temperature, releasing the spring and causing the stem to pop. There are a variety of pop-ups to suit various kinds of meat and various cuts/sizes of meat.
Is a little pink in turkey OK?
If the temperature of the turkey, as measured in the thigh, has reached 180°F. and is done to family preference, all the meat — including any that remains pink — is safe to eat.
Do you cook a turkey at 325 or 350?
For a 10-13 lb. turkey (weight with giblets): Bake in a 350° oven for 1 1/2-2 1/4 hr. For a 14-23 lb. turkey (weight with giblets): Bake in a 325° oven for 2-3 hr.
Is turkey done at 165 or 180?
4. Read the thermometer correctly: Hold the thermometer still until the numbers stop. If the temperature is between 160 and 165 degrees F, the turkey is done.
Where do you stick the thermometer in a turkey?
When preparing a whole turkey, insert the thermometer into the thickest portion of the turkey breast, the innermost portion of thigh and the innermost portion of the wing. Make sure the thermometer does not touch bone, gristle or the pan.
How long do you have to smoke a turkey?
Set the smoker to 225° F. Place the turkey on a cooking rack and cook for 8 to 12 hours or until the inner thigh temperature reaches 180° F. Check the temperature of your turkey after 3½ hours. Your turkey must pass through a critical range of 40° F to 140° F in 4 hours or less.
Why is my turkey still pink?
Chemical Changes During Cooking
Scientists have found that pinkness occurs when gases in the atmosphere of a heated gas or electric oven react chemically with hemoglobin in the meat tissues to give poultry a pink tinge. They are the same substances that give red color to smoked hams and other cured meats.
How can you tell if a turkey is done without a thermometer?
To find out if your turkey is done without a thermometer, pierce it with a fork in the mid-thigh muscle, explains Nicole Johnson, the co-director of the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line. “When the juices run clear, and no longer reddish or pink in color, it’s a good indication that your turkey is done.”
How long does a 14 lb turkey take to cook at 325?
If your turkey weighs 12 to 14 pounds, roast it at:
350°F for 2¾ to 3 hours. 325°F for 3 to 3¾ hours.
How do I keep my turkey moist?
Make the baste on the last hour of cooking turkey.
In a pan, melt ¼ cup butter and mix in ¼ cup maple syrup. Baste turkey every 15 minutes on the last hour of the turkey cooking. Rest for 20 to 30 minutes before carving to serve.
Do you put water in the bottom of the roasting pan for turkey?
“Often consumers will inquire about adding water to the bottom of their roasting pans. We do not recommend adding water to the bottom of the pan. Cooking a turkey with steam is a moist heat-cook method and is acceptable, sure, but is not the preferred method for cooking your turkey.”
How many people will a 20 lb turkey feed?
15
While 1 pound per person could feel like too little, and 1 1/2 pounds for each guest might be over-doing it, 1 1/4 pounds of turkey per mouth is the perfect balance. At that rate, feeding a large party of 15 or more people requires 20+ pounds of turkey.
Do you remove the plastic that holds the turkey legs together?
Speaking of plastic, turkeys usually come with a plastic or metal crimp, called a hock lock, holding the legs together at the back. You can leave it on or take it off; the legs may cook more evenly without it.
Do I remove the hock lock?
Before cooking, remove the hock lock, the device that secures the legs. Even though hock locks are most often made of heat-resistant materials, leaving them on during cooking can make it much more difficult to cook the bird evenly.