How to Tell When Your Turkey is Done

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The most popular methods of testing a turkey for doneness may not be the best. New Mexico State University's Anna María Pérez-Wright has more.

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Sometimes it's hard to tell when a turkey is cooked to perfection. No one wants to serve dry, overcooked poultry for Thanksgiving, but it's preferable to serving turkey that's undercooked. A popular way to time a turkey is with pop-up timers placed directly in the bird. Another way is to follow a time-per-pound cooking chart. Doña Ana County home economist Jennifer Hopper with New Mexico State University's Cooperative Extension Service says neither of these methods is very reliable.

"The very best way that you can tell that your turkey is done is to use a meat thermometer. You need to make sure that the thermometer that you get is for meat or poultry, not a candy thermometer or other types of thermometers."

Hopper says placement of the thermometer is important, too.

"You want to insert the meat thermometer into the inner thigh area, near the breast of the turkey, but make sure it's not touching the bone. The bone can give an inaccurate reading. The meat thermometer when stuck in the turkey needs to read at least 180 degrees Fahrenheit in order to have prepared a safe meal for your family."

Hopper also recommends cooking stuffing in a separate pan rather than inside the turkey. If you do stuff your turkey, the stuffing should reach 160 degrees Fahrenheit to be completely cooked. For N-M-S-U's College of Agriculture and Home Economics, I'm Anna María Pérez-Wright.